We don’t have people like KS Nisar Ahmed anymore: Roopa Pai
Writer Roopa Pai reflects on her experience translating the works of Kannada poet KS Nisar Ahmed. She discusses the cultural significance of his poetry and her personal encounter with the late literary figure.
Why it matters
It underscores the importance of preserving regional literature and the role of translators in keeping cultural icons relevant for new generations.
It began with a series of Facebook posts exactly a decade ago. Between November 1st and 7th, 2016, to celebrate Karnataka Rajyotsava, Roopa Pai translated and posted poems of various Kannada poets on the social networking platform. “Apart from the translation, I wrote a note about the poet, introducing them to whoever was reading my Facebook page. This became quite popular; people felt touched and happy that Kannada poets were being celebrated like that,” says the Bengaluru-based writer and the co-founder of Bangalore Walks, a history and heritage walks and tours company.
The article is a biographical and cultural reflection with no political or controversial agenda.
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