SHIMLA -5 June, 2025-Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla today inaugurated a two-day national seminar on the theme “Problems of Translation between Indian Languages: A Case Study of the Translation of Tulsidasa’s Ramcharitmanas in South Indian Languages” at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla.

In his inaugural address, the Governor underscored the importance of a unified script in promoting linguistic understanding, stating that if all Indian languages were written in the Devanagari script, mutual comprehension would become significantly easier. He also highlighted the rich multilingual fabric of India. He said that despite the linguistic diversity, the spirit of unity in diversity defines the strength of our country.

Describing the seminar's theme as not just a linguistic concern but a symbol of India’s cultural cohesion and national consciousness, the Governor said that translation serves as a vital bridge for communication among the hundreds of languages and dialects spoken in India. He said that the preservation and transmission of India’s spiritual heritage to future generations is primarily possible through translation.

Referring to Goswami Tulsidas’s Ramcharitmanas, the Governor called it a seminal text that forms the bedrock of North Indian cultural identity. He lauded the work as a creative retelling of both Valmiki’s Ramayana and Adhyatma Ramayana, and described it as a global epic, transcending religious and cultural boundaries. “It is heartening to see even the fiercest critics from other religions stand in awe of Tulsidas’s poetic genius,” he remarked.

The Governor said that although the southern languages of India such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam have their own Ramayana traditions, the Ramcharitmanas has left a lasting impact in the region. He appreciated the seminar’s focus on a comparative and critical analysis of the translations of this epic in South Indian languages. He said that translating a work like Ramcharitmanas, rich in sound and emotion, is not merely a linguistic exercise but a cultural rebirth.

Highlighting a key challenge in the translation process, Shri Shukla pointed out the difficulty in translating from the Awadhi language, the original language of Ramcharitmanas, which differs significantly from standard Hindi.

On the occasion, the Governor also unveiled a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Institute and released a book titled “Hanumat Kavya Tradition in Indian Languages” authored by Prof. Harimohan Budholiya.

Chairperson of the IIAS Governing Body Prof. Shashiprabha Kumar, welcomed the Governor and said that while literary interpretations of Ramcharitmanas may vary across languages, the central theme remains a powerful expression of Indian culture. “Lord Rama is the symbol of our emotional unity,” she said.

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Yatindranand Giri Ji from Jeevan Deep Ashram, Haridwar, said that the divine inspiration behind Tulsidas’s composition was created during a time when attempts were being made to erase the legacy of Lord Rama. He urged all to preserve India’s sacred texts and reiterated that Indian philosophy teaches us to first become a good human being.

Former professor at Lucknow University and keynote speaker Prof. Surya Prasad Dixit traced the presence of the Ramkatha across various ancient scriptures and global cultures. He said that the origin of the Ramkatha cannot be singularly located and discussed its widespread presence in South Indian languages.

Former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University, Wardha Prof. G. Gopinathan, reflected on the cultural and comparative literary importance of the seminar’s theme, highlighting the relevance of translation in cultural continuity.

Director of IIAS and Vice Chancellor of Central University of Punjab, Bathinda Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari delivered a detailed overview of the seminar’s objectives.

Secretary of IIAS Mehr Chand Negi proposed a vote of thanks.

Secretary to the Governor Shri C.P. Verma, fellows and participants from across the country were also present on the occasion.