Masterclass on Tamil Literature: N. Kalyan Raman on Translation, Tamil Writing & Global Writers

Masterclass on Tamil Literature with one of India's foremost literary translators.

In this special episode of Face-to-Face, acclaimed translator N. Kalyan Raman discusses the richness of modern and contemporary Tamil literature, the art and challenges of literary translation, and how Tamil writing has found writers and readers across the world.

Kalyan Raman has translated some of the most celebrated Tamil authors into English, making their works accessible to global audiences. In this wide-ranging conversation, he explores:

The evolution of modern Tamil literature
The craft of literary translation
Why translation is an act of interpretation
Tamil literature's growing international recognition
The works of Ashokamitran, Perumal Murugan, Salma, Poomani, Vaasanthi, Devibharathi, and C.S. Chellappa
The future of Tamil writing and translation

Whether you're a student of literature, an aspiring translator, a reader of world literature, or simply curious about Tamil's extraordinary literary tradition, this conversation offers deep insights from one of India's leading literary translators.

Books Translated by N. Kalyan Raman
Breaking Free by Vaasanthi (Harper Perennial)
The Curse: Stories by Salma (Speaking Tiger)
Heat by Poomani (Juggernaut Books)
Poonachi, or the Story of a Black Goat by Perumal Murugan (Westland)
The Goat Thief by Perumal Murugan (Juggernaut Books)
The Ghosts of Meenambakkam by Ashokamitran (Penguin Random House India)
Still Bleeding from the Wound by Ashokamitran (Penguin Random House India)
Farewell, Mahatma by Devibharathi (Harper Perennial)
Vaadivaasal: Arena by C.S. Chellappa (Oxford University Press)
Mansarovar by Ashokamitran (Penguin Random House India)
At the Cusp of Ages by Vaasanthi (Indian Writing)
Mole! by Ashokamitran (Orient Blackswan)
Sand and Other Stories by Ashokamitran (Orient Blackswan)
The Colours of Evil by Ashokamitran (East-West Books)