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Malayalam Edition of 'Nalanda' Launches at Kerala Lit Fest

The Malayalam translation of poet-diplomat Abhay K's book 'Nalanda: How it Changed the World' was launched at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode. The translation, published by DC Books, aims to bring the authentic history of the ancient Nalanda Mahavihara to Malayalam readers globally. The book argues that Nalanda was the origin of the modern university concept and promoted early book culture, including the first printed book. It has received praise from notable figures like historian William Dalrymple and author Shashi Tharoor for its accessible and scholarly narrative.

Key Points: Malayalam Translation of 'Nalanda' Book Launched

  • Malayalam translation by Purna Krishnan
  • Launched by writer Benyamin
  • Traces university origins to Nalanda
  • Book translated into multiple languages
2 min read

Malayalam translation of Abhay K's book 'Nalanda' launched at Kerala Lit fest

The Malayalam translation of Abhay K's 'Nalanda: How it Changed the World' was launched at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode.

"Abhay K has written a wonderfully accessible introduction to early India's most important centre of philosophy and learning. - William Dalrymple"

Kozhikode, January 26

Malayalam translation of poet-diplomat Abhay K's bestselling book, titled, 'Nalanda: How it Changed the World', was launched at the prestigious Kerala Literature Festival today by the well-known Malayalam writer Benyamin.

Published by DC Books, the Malayalam translation of Nalanda, done by Purna Krishnan, brings the authentic history of the Nalanda Mahavihara to the Malayalam readers in India and across the world.

The book launch was preceded by a stimulating discussion on Nalanda: Buddhism, dissent and debate, between author Abhay K and Hindustan Times book editor Manjula Narayan at the festival in Kozhikode.

'Nalanda: How it Changed the World' has already been translated and published into Hindi by Penguin Swadesh and is being translated into Gujarati, Telugu, Marathi, Polish and Spanish.

The book traces the origin of the idea of a university and the standard courtyard architecture plan of the modern universities, including the quads and courts of Oxford and Cambridge, to Nalanda. It also argues that Nalanda also promoted book culture and gave the world the very first printed book,i.e. The Diamond Sutra, which is a part of the Prajna Paramita Sutras of the Buddhists.

Well-known historian William Dalrymple writes, "Abhay K has written a wonderfully accessible introduction to early India's most important centre of philosophy and learning, the great monastery, university of Nalanda. Setting his story within a seductively sketched panorama of the golden age of early Buddhism, Abhay celebrates Nalanda's dazzling libraries, scholars, teachings, doctrines and finally, its global influence. Sympathetic, scholarly and poetic, Abhay K's Nalanda fills an important gap and deserves to be widely read."

Author and MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, says, "Even as he resurrects Nalanda from the embers of history, Abhay K does not simply eulogise it; instead, he transforms this wellspring of scholastic endeavour into an emblem of humankind's quest for knowledge. In my view, Abhay K's Nalanda, stunning and scholarly, is an outstanding starting point."

Abhay K is an award-winning author of several books, the latest among them, The Alphabets of Africa, which is an ode to a continent that continues to define the human journey. He has recently been awarded the Sarojini Naidu Award for Poetry for his lyrical and singable translation of Sri Hanuman Chalisa into English.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
It's heartening to see Indian scholarship getting its due. The point about Nalanda influencing Oxford and Cambridge's architecture is something every Indian student should know. Our ancient universities were truly global centers. Hope this book sparks more interest in our intellectual history beyond just political narratives.
R
Rohit P
While I appreciate the effort, I sometimes worry these translations simplify complex history for popular consumption. I hope the Malayalam version retains the scholarly rigor. The endorsement by Dalrymple and Tharoor is promising, though. Will definitely pick up a copy.
M
Meera T
Amazing! đź‘Ź The fact that it's being translated into Gujarati, Telugu, and Marathi too shows there's a real hunger across India to reconnect with this part of our past. Nalanda wasn't just a Buddhist center; it was a pan-Indian, indeed a global, institution. This is the kind of soft power we need to promote.
S
Siddharth J
Benyamin launching it is perfect—an author who understands storytelling and history. The discussion on "Buddhism, dissent and debate" sounds fascinating. Nalanda's legacy is about questioning and dialogue, something very relevant today. Hope the festival session was recorded!
K
Kavya N
As someone from a non-Malayali background living in Kerala, I love seeing the state's vibrant literary culture embrace works with such a broad Indian perspective. It makes me want to learn Malayalam! The connection to the first printed book is a mind-blowing fact. India's contributions to knowledge are profound.

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