Pondy writer to get Sahitya Akademi Prize

PUDUCHERRY: Indran  (B G Rajendran), a Puducherry-born writer,  translator and art-critic, has been selected for the Sahitya  Akademi Translation Prize for 2011. The  national academy of letters selected him for his translation of Odiya poetry (Ethara Gaan Se by Dr Manorama Biswal Mahapatra) in to Tamil titled “Paravaikal Oruvelai Thoongipoi Irukkalaam”. Indran, now based in Chennai, will receive  `50000 in cash and a copper plaque at a function to be held in August.He has published more than 25 books in both Tamil and English,which include eight collections of poetry, nine books of translations and nine books of art criticism.Indran’s landmark translation of Black writings in to Tamil “Araikul Vandhe Africa Vanam” (1982) greatly influenced Tamil writing in the 1980s.He has also translated Indian writing in English, Dalit writing from Kannada, Marathi and Gujarathi,  Adhivasi poetry and third world literature into Tamil.With a travel grant from the Association of British Scholars and British Council, Chennai, he went to UK  to study the Indian art objects collected in British museums.Indran had also contributed significantly to the field of Tamil aesthetics with writings on literature, arts and cultural practices including cinema. He has served on the editorial boards of literary and art magazines and produced documentary  films- The Sculptural Energy and A dialogue with painting.His curatorial works include many exhibitions of art including a prestigious mega show of 133 painters on Thirukkural organised by The Art and Culture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu.He is also the founder of Yali Foundation, an organisation for the promotion of  inter-cultural dialogues in art and literature. He is a visiting professor on Indian Art  History for Shivaji Ganesan Film Institute, SRM University, Chennai.Indran, on Monday, called on the chief minister N Rangasamy and was felicitated by him for his literarary and art-related contributions.