Nothing takes shape in last 53 years because of unstable state system

G.H. Habib is a legendary translator from Bangladesh. His translations of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder, Foundation by Isaac Asimov, and The History of the English Language by Brigitte Veyne are widely acclaimed in both Bengals. He has taken Bangladeshi translated literature to an exceptional level. Though he appears to be a translator, he is, in reality, a relentless devotee of literature. As recognition for his work, he has recently been awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award. He studied English literature at Jahangirnagar University and is currently a professor of English literature at the University of Chittagong. Views Bangladesh had a conversation with him about his award and various aspects of translated literature. The interview was conducted by fiction writer Kamrul Ahsan.

Views Bangladesh: First of all, congratulations on winning the Bangla Academy Award for translation literature. Many believe you should have received this recognition much earlier. However, even if it was delayed, the academy has now honored you. Please share your thoughts on receiving this award.

G.H. Habib: Thank you very much. Of course, I feel happy. Who wouldn’t be pleased to receive recognition? But an unfortunate incident related to this award has overshadowed my happiness. I felt deeply saddened by it. That is all I can say about my feelings.

Views Bangladesh: Would you like to comment on the unfortunate incident surrounding the award this year?

G.H. Habib: My only comment is that this incident should not have happened. The Bangla Academy should have stood by the list they originally announced. The selection was not made based on personal preferences but through a long-term and transparent process, incorporating various opinions. They should have remained firm in their decision.

Controversies often arise around awards, and it is rare to find an award that has not been disputed. It is impossible to satisfy everyone.

However, those whose names were removed from the list after the announcement are individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Excluding them after announcing their names caused them unnecessary mental, familial, and social distress. It was deeply unfortunate that the Bangla Academy failed to stand by its decision.

Whether on social media or in person at the Bangla Academy, people have the right to protest. However, the academy should not have succumbed to mob justice. They should have remembered that for Bangladeshi writers, receiving recognition at a familial, social, or state level is a significant event. It helps with their book sales and validates their lifelong dedication to literature.

Books don’t sell well in Bangladesh, and people don’t review them unless they belong to a particular group. As a result, these awards play a crucial role. Writers dedicate their lives to literature when they could have pursued more financially rewarding careers.

Of course, not all literary figures are pure and unbiased. Some engage in factionalism or align with authoritarian regimes. But in general, when evaluating them, one should proceed carefully. Once an evaluation has been made, reversing it is a thoughtless act.

This situation reminds me of a line from my favorite poet, William Butler Yeats:
"Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

Writers’ dreams were trampled upon in this case. Another important point is that the Bangla Academy is a state institution, meaning every citizen has a stake in it. If it were a private entity, I would not have any right to comment. However, as a writer and citizen, I do have a right to critique its actions.

Views Bangladesh: Many people believe that all award recipients should have rejected their awards in protest. What is your opinion on this?

G.H. Habib: What would rejecting the award have achieved? Would it have changed the way the Bangla Academy selects its awardees? No. If you walk away in protest but fail to address the root issue, it only allows more unwanted influences to seep in. The academy should have remained firm in its decision.

Views Bangladesh: Another unpleasant incident occurred when award winners were asked to stand behind Bangla Academy officials and advisors for a photo. This has been widely criticized. What is your opinion on this?

G.H. Habib: This tradition has existed at the Bangla Academy and in Bangladesh for a long time, and yes, it is indeed unpleasant. However, the award recipients were not responsible for it. Those who created this practice are to blame. At that moment, there was no opportunity for the recipients to leave the stage. So, there was little they could do.

Views Bangladesh: Criticism has been directed mainly at Bangla Academy officials and advisors, not the award winners.

G.H. Habib: That’s not entirely true. A particular awardee has been targeted for trolling. People are questioning why a self-proclaimed revolutionary accepted the award. Some have even suggested that this was a form of punishment for him. However, one positive outcome of this controversy is that future award ceremonies may no longer feature such demeaning photo sessions. The Cultural Advisor has indicated that similar situations will not occur during the next Ekushey Padak ceremony. Hopefully, other institutions will take note as well.

Views Bangladesh: Now, let’s talk about your literary journey. You are widely regarded as a legendary translator in Bangladesh. Could you briefly share how you started? What led you to translation?

G.H. Habib: First, I must object to the term "legendary." I am not that. Readers appreciate my work because I have translated some important works of world literature.

I have shared my journey in previous interviews. As a child, I was not exposed to a family culture of literature or reading. However, I somehow developed an interest in books, especially translations. My early readings included Romana Afaz’s Dasyu Bonhur, the Kuasha series, and Masud Rana—all adaptations or translations published by Sheba Prakashani. Additionally, I read many Soviet books translated into Bengali.

Since most of what I read were translations, I naturally gravitated toward translation myself. Had I read more original works, I might have pursued creative writing instead.

Views Bangladesh: Did you ever attempt original writing?

G.H. Habib: Yes, I wrote poetry during my cadet college years (grades 7 to 12). But my primary inclination was always toward translation. Eventually, some of my translated stories were published in Sheba Prakashani’s Rahasya Patrika. Later, I translated Sherlock Holmes' The Sign of Four and a science fiction novel, followed by mainstream literary works.

Views Bangladesh: You have translated several challenging works, including One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Name of the Rose, and Sophie's World. Which was the most difficult?

G.H. Habib: The Name of the Rose was the most challenging due to its complex subject matter, intricate language, and historical references. Translating it into Bengali was both labor-intensive and rewarding.

Views Bangladesh: Given the economic realities of Bangladesh, where books don’t sell well, have you ever felt disheartened?

G.H. Habib: Yes, discouragement is inevitable. However, when I read a great book, I feel compelled to share it with Bengali readers. This passion outweighs my frustrations. Translation is a lifelong affliction—an incurable one.

Views Bangladesh: What is your assessment of Bangladesh’s translation literature today?

G.H. Habib: My teacher Hayat Mahmud once said:
"The fact that translations are happening in Bangladesh is in itself an achievement."

His comment reflects the overall disorder in our country. Education has been destroyed, and the culture of reading has deteriorated in the past 15 years. In such circumstances, good translations cannot emerge naturally.