Stay on Akademi award to ‘One Part Woman’

A division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice M Sundar, while passing the interim order, also ordered notices to the Akademi, author Murugan and English translator Aniruddhan Vasudevan returnable by January 8.

Kongu Kalvi Valarchi Arakattalai represented by its managing trustee R Murugesan has submitted that contrary to declarations by Perumal Murugan, the author of Mathorubhagan, that the book is a work of fiction and that no historic essence is associated with it, makes it very clear that this book is not entitled for any recognition.

Pointing out that the jury for the award was certainly biased in recommending the English translation ‘One Part Woman,’ to be eligible for the award, submitted that contrary to guidelines, the book is not a full, unabridged and faithful translation of the original work.

In the Tamil version, identity of any community or names of persons with community suffixes has not been indicated, whereas in the translated version, name of a community as well as the names of persons with community suffix have been liberally used. The plea also alleged that as many as three members of the jury had helped Murugan to do research and collect materials for the publication. Moreover, they were earlier supporting the author of the novel, when it was criticised for controversies.

The plea also claimed that the novel had drawn widespread protests over the alleged vulgarity and degeneration of not only a community but also all Hindus of Tiruchengode area.

It may be noted that the bench during its earlier hearing had held that prima facie it appears that two English translated versions 2013 and 2014 are placed before us. In this regard, it is necessary to peruse the original or earlier Tamil version prior to 2013 and 2014 to see if the translation is accurate and correct.