'Mera Dagistan' translator Gurbax Singh Frank dies at 85

Amritsar, April 14

Gurbax Singh Frank, who translated the famous “Mera Dagistan” by Rasul Gamzatov from Avar language into Punjabi, passed away here today. He was 85.

Punjabi scholar and translator Frank was unwell because of age-related illnesses for some time. He is survived by two daughters. He was a literary link between the then USSR and India in the Cold War era.

A prolific writer, Frank has to his credit more than 50 books, including 35 translated from Russian into Punjabi.

His translation of Gamzatov’s “Mera Dagistan” earned him wide publicity and acclaim in the Punjabi literary world. The book was translated in 1971.

Experts say the translated book was an instant hit with the Punjabi readers as it contained ethos and sensibilities similar to the ones espoused by the Punjabi society.

Frank spent 13 years in Moscow, learning Russian and translating Russian literature into Punjabi. His first stint in Moscow commenced in 1968 and lasted for a decade. The second stint was between 1988 and 1991. He remained the editor of different publications there. Before moving to Moscow, he was the Information Officer at the Russian embassy in New Delhi. — TNS

50 books to Gurbax Singh’s credit

Gurbax Singh Frank was a literary link between the then USSR and India in the Cold War era. A prolific writer, he has to his credit over 50 books, including 35 translated from Russian into Punjabi.