India’s First Literary Translation Residency Brings International Booker Winner Deepa Bhasthi to Jaipur

Books may travel across borders, but they rarely do so on their own. Behind every translated work that reaches a new audience is a series of thoughtful choices—about language, culture, rhythm and meaning. As Indian literature attracts growing international attention, the craft of literary translation is receiving a long-overdue moment in the spotlight.

This August, Siyahi will launch Translations by Siyahi, India’s first residency dedicated exclusively to literary translation. Taking place from August 1–8, 2026, at the historic Samode Haveli in Jaipur, the week-long programme will bring together writers, translators and literary professionals for an immersive exploration of the art and responsibility of carrying stories between languages.

Leading the residency is Deepa Bhasthi, the first Indian translator to receive the International Booker Prize, honoured for her English translation of Banu Mushtaq’s Heart Lamp from Kannada. Her work has drawn global attention to the richness of regional Indian literature and the transformative role translators play in expanding its reach.

More than a workshop, Translations by Siyahi has been conceived as a dedicated space for conversations that sit at the heart of contemporary publishing. Participants will engage with questions that shape every translated work: What does a translator owe a text? How much cultural context should be explained? When does fidelity deepen a work, and when can it limit its possibilities? How can English accommodate the realities of India’s many languages without diluting their distinct voices?

The residency arrives at a particularly significant moment for Indian publishing. Regional literature is finding readers far beyond its original linguistic communities, while international publishers are showing renewed interest in stories emerging from India’s diverse literary traditions. In this evolving landscape, translators are no longer viewed simply as intermediaries but as creative practitioners whose decisions influence how literature is experienced across cultures.

Set within the heritage surroundings of Samode Haveli, one of Jaipur’s most storied properties, the residency offers an environment designed for reflection, discussion and sustained engagement with language. The setting mirrors the programme’s larger ambition: to create meaningful intellectual exchange while celebrating the cultural histories that shape storytelling itself.

Under the guidance of literary entrepreneur Mita Kapur and the Siyahi team, the initiative reflects a broader commitment to fostering literary dialogue through thoughtfully curated experiences. By dedicating an entire residency to translation, Siyahi is also recognising the individuals whose work often remains invisible despite its profound impact on the literary world.

As Indian writing continues to resonate with readers across continents, Translations by Siyahi places the focus on those who make that journey possible—ensuring that stories rooted in one language can find new life, new meaning and new audiences in another.

For more information about the residency, visit: https://siyahi.in/writers-retreats-chapter-five/