An analytical study of Prof. Zia-ur-Rehman Siddiqui’s translated book “Jandamdin”

Abstract:

Professor Ziaur Rahman Siddiqui holds a distinct place in the literary world. He is a renowned scholar, insightful critic, and intellectual, as well as a successful and trustworthy translator. “Janam Din” is a testament to Professor Siddiqui’s balanced and skilled approach to translation. Indeed, translation is a serious and challenging art. Transferring a text into another language while retaining its literary richness, emotional impact, and original essence is no less than drawing blood from stone. Yet, the professor has accomplished this task commendably, with his artistic finesse, symbolic insight, and complete mastery over language and expression. “Janam Din” is an engaging collection of eight stories. Among these, Janam Din, Bhadari, and Phoolon Ka Mol are translations of Malayalam, Assamese, and Bengali stories respectively. The remaining five stories — Kubda Bhikhari (The Hunchback Beggar), Marg-e-Shajar (The Death of a Tree), Achhoot (The Untouchable), Khwahish (Desire), and Junoon (Madness) — are translations of stories by Ruskin Bond. There is a charm in Professor Ziaur Rahman Siddiqui’s style that captivates the reader. His writings are proof that he has richly infused the aesthetics of Urdu literature into his work. His texts display a beautiful blend of creative elegance and literary flavor, which even a general reader finds interesting. The literary delicacy and simplicity in his language reflect the true aesthetic values of Urdu. One of the strengths of his translations is that he embellishes even dry and subjects with aesthetic qualities, adding a unique beauty to them. A major characteristic of his translation work is fluency, simplicity, and clarity. He has expressed even the most complex subjects in such plain and accessible language that readers not only understand them easily but also form a deep connection with the themes. His style proves that one can convey strong and impactful ideas in literature without relying on complexity or exaggeration. Professor Siddiqui’s translations have made things much easier for readers — both in terms of readability and comprehension.

Keywords:

Ziaur Rahman Siddiqui, Translation, Urdu Literature, “JanamDin”

Romanised References:

1. Z̤iyāʾ al-Raḥmān Ṣiddīqī, Professor, Janam Din (tarjumah), Publications Division, Alīgaṛh Muslim University, 2019, p. 9.
2. Ibid., p. 32.
3. Ibid., p. 36.
4. Ibid., p. 57.
5. Sih Māhī Virs̱ah, New York, jild 4, shumārah (April–June 2024), p. 73.
6. Ibid., p. 73.
7. Ibid., p. 74.
8. Ibid., p. 74.