In this episode, titled "The Princess and the Political Agent: The Role of Literary Translation in Memory and History," we are joined by L. Somi Roy, acclaimed translator, cultural historian, and a tireless advocate for Manipuri literature.
Through his translations from Manipuri to English, Somi Roy brings to light the forgotten histories, intimate memories, and rich cultural textures of a region often left at the margins of mainstream narratives. In this conversation, he speaks about his work translating The Princess and the Political Agent, the challenges of translating from a language so deeply rooted in a specific historical and cultural context, and why literary translation is an act of preservation—as much for personal memory as for collective history.
Join us as we discuss how translation can serve as a bridge across centuries, across political realities, and across silenced stories.
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