Bloomsbury to Publish 32 Works of Annabhau Sathe in English
Thirty-two literary works by renowned Dalit author and social reformer Annabhau Sathe are being translated from Marathi into English for global publication by Bloomsbury Publishing, in a joint project undertaken by the University of Mumbai and the Maharashtra government.
The translation initiative is being managed through the University of Mumbai's Sahityaratna Annabhau Sathe Study Chair. A memorandum of understanding with Bloomsbury Publishing was finalised a few months ago, and translation work is currently underway. The state government hopes to have all 32 titles published by the end of the year.
Tukaram Bhaurao Sathe, popularly known as Annabhau Sathe (1920–1969), was a prominent writer, folk poet, and social reformer whose upbringing and Dalit identity were central to his literary output and activism. His writings chronicled the struggles of farmers, workers, and marginalised communities while examining caste, gender, and class oppression.
Among the key texts being translated is the 1966 novel Master, translated into English by Aarti Ware. The novel is set in Satara during the 1942 Chale Jaav movement and depicts a schoolteacher who leads a guerrilla resistance of farmers against British colonial rule. Another major work is Chitra, translated by Baliram N Gaikwad, which focuses on the exploitation and resistance of women in late-colonial Maharashtra through the story of an orphaned girl forced into Mumbai's brothels. Chitra was previously translated into Russian in 1970.
Other works included in the 32-book project are Kevadyacha Kanis, Awadi, Kurup, Makadicha Mal, Aaghat, Dole Modit Radha Chale, Sangharsh, Gulam, Chandan, Warnecha Wagh, Agnidivya, Rupa, Chikhlatil Kamal, Warnechya Khoryat, Vaijayanta, Murti, Ratna, Alguj, Mayura, Tara, Povade, Navati, Thaslelya Banduka, Smashanatil Sona, Khulwadi, Nikhara, Gaja-aad, Majhi Mumbai Arthat Mumbai Konachi, Pudhari Pahije, and Shethjiche Election.
Jyoti Mehrotra, publisher at Bloomsbury India, stated that the publishing house is providing editing, publishing, and distribution services for the project, adding that digital editions will be evaluated based on reader response.
Baliram Gaikwad, director of the Sahityaratna Annabhau Sathe Study Chair, noted that the initiative will allow Sathe's chronicling of Maharashtra's social history and culture to reach an international readership, including global universities, libraries, and researchers. While Sathe's writings have previously appeared in Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Russian, this marks the largest consolidated English translation effort for his body of work.
