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"This is the first time Penguin has published anything outside English. This is a landmark event," said John Makinson, chairman and CEO, Penguin Group, at the release of Penguin’s first four books in Hindi at the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi. "The common question that is often asked is why not Spanish or German? Why Hindi and Marathi? The answer is that we have a strong relationship with India. It is one of the most important markets for publishing, and is also a complex, multicultural country which has to be represented by more than one language," he said. "Regional languages’ publishing is the next step." Makinson says the company wants to publish translations of their English books in Hindi, Marathi and other Indian languages and bring out English translations of vernacular books for the world market. The four Hindi books released are: Hamara Hissa, an anthology of contemporary Hindi stories edited by Arun Prakash; translation of Khushwant Singh’s bestseller Paradise and Other Stories renamed Jannat Aur Anya Kahaniyan; Anita Nair’s Ladies’ Coupé (the name remains unchanged) and Namita Gokhale’s new novel, Shakuntala: The Play of Memory (Shakuntala: Smriti Jaal). Penguin is also planning an English launch of Shakuntala. "I am delighted that my book is being published in Hindi and English and more so, that it is being published first in Hindi and then English," said Namita Gokhale. Next year, Penguin would expand to publishing in more Indian languages. In every language, there will be a mix of original titles and translations of Penguin India’s most successful English titles. There will also be a selection of international classics and bestsellers from Penguin Group companies worldwide and other reputed publishing houses. Also planned are an anthology of stories in Marathi, translations of Ruskin Bond’s selected stories, Arundhati Roy’s new book of essays, An Ordinary Person’s Guide to Empire, and Shobhaa Dé’s most recent blockbuster, Spouse: The Truth About Marriage. The Hindi and Marathi titles will be published in association with Yatra Books, New Delhi. ‘This is a really exciting effort by Penguin," said prominent Hindi author Kamleshwar. "This was really required and would give an additional boost to the regional publishing industry. I’m sure they will do a wonderful job." Penguin India, which began
with six original titles in October 1987, is one of Asia’s leading
English-language trade publishers, with over 1,000 titles in print,
including works by most of the subcontinent’s best writers. —
IANS |
