A Tale of Wonder : Kathakautukam
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A Tale of Wonder
A Tale of Wonder : Kathakautukam
India Harmony Foundation and Penguin launched a book
entitled, A Tale of Wonder: Kathakautukam by Srivara, translated into English by
diplomat /scholar and renowned author A.N.D Haksar
and published by Penguin on Friday, March 29th, 2019 at Seminar Halls
1, 2, 3, Kamladevi Complex (Above Multipurpose Hall), India International
Centre, 40, Max Mueller Marg, New Delhi. The book
was released by Chief Guest Shri N N Vohra, former Governor of Jammu &
Kashmir.
A scintillating
example of cross-cultural harmony from medieval Kashmir. A Biblical
and Koranic story in medieval Persian reaches Kashmir and is transformed there
into a Sanskrit epic poem, with India’s mythic
overtones—an attestation to this country’s rich syncretic and multicultural
past.
In this tale, the beautiful princess Zuleikha has nightly visions of
Yusuf, a handsome young stranger. Captivated by
his beauty, her waking hours are filled with heartaches, much to the anxiety of her near ones. But Zuleikha is resolved to
be united with Yusuf. Her dreams also reveal the obstacles
to be surmounted. What ensues is a captivating
account of longing and love — a parable
of the soul’s journey in its search for the divine. Magnificent in its simple elegance, A Tale of Wonder is beautifully translated by A.N.D. Haksar, with an introduction shedding light on the remarkable provenance of this timeless
story. Translated from the Sanskrit
by A.N.D. Haksar.
A biblical
story travels across regions and time-ultimately reaching medieval India where
it is transformed by Shaivite overtones. The result is an exquisite epic love
poem of love which also attests to the rich diversity of India's cultural past.
In an unnamed kingdom in the West, the beautiful princess Zuleikha has nightly
visions of a handsome, young man. So captivated is she by this beautiful
stranger that her waking hours are afflicted with heartache, much to the
anxiety of her father. Zuleikha is resolved to be with Yusuf, and it is in her
dreams that she learns of the obstacles that separate her from her beloved.
What ensues is a captivating tale of longing and love-a parable of the journey
of the soul in its search for the divine. Magnificent in its simple
elegance, A Tale of Wonder is a timeless
story that challenges the insidious notion that India has always been dominated
by one faith only and insular to other cultural and religious influences.
Srivara
was a significant Sanskrit scholar and poet, who was active in Kashmir in the
fifteenth century. His best-known work is the third Rajatarangini, a sequel to the famous history of
Kashmir which was commenced with the same name by Kalhana three hundred years
earlier and continued by Jonaraja. His present work had, however, become
obscure and its manuscript was found there only in the nineteenth century. It
is inspired by a celebrated poem in Persian, and in it he has also mentioned
his proficiency in that language.
Aditya Narayan Dhairyasheel Haksar is a well-known translator of Sanskrit classics. For many years a career diplomat, he served at the United Nations and as the Indian high commissioner and ambassador in various countries. His translations from the Sanskrit include those of several great works by ancient poets like Bhasa and Kalidasa, Bhartrihari and Dandin, Kshemendra and Kalyana Malla, all published as Penguin Classics. He has also compiled A Treasury of Sanskrit Poetry, which was recently translated into Arabic in the UAE.
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