Divan Staliner book wins 7th Romain Rolland Book Prize

The French Institute in India in collaboration with Apeejay Trust announces Pankaj Kumar Chatterjeersquos book ldquoDivan Stalinerrdquo a translation of JeanDaniel Baltassatrsquos Stalinrsquos Couch the winner of 7th Romain Rolland Book Prize This Bengali translation has been published by New Bharat Sahitya KutirElated about his win translator Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee said ldquoI am delighted as my first translation from French into Bengali has been honoured with the Romain Rolland Book Prize I am grateful to the French Institute in India for their support during the past two years ndash from arranging funds under the PAP Tagore programme to my selection as the awardee I expect that more and more French books will be translated into Bengali I promise to do sordquoldquoI extend my good wishes to Pankaj Kumar Chatterjee a very deserving winner of the Romain Rolland Prize for his exceptional Bengali translation of JeanDaniel Baltassatrsquos Stalinrsquos Couch It is my sincere hope that his recognition inspires more translators and publishers to continue their invaluable work in introducing the richness of French literature to Indian readers At Oxford Bookstores we understand the vital role that translations play in enriching the literary landscape exploring new cultures perspectives and ideas and breaking down barriers while fostering a deeper appreciation for the diverse beauty of global literature We are delighted to support the prestigious Romain Rolland Prize a prize which not only acknowledges the efforts of Indian translators and publishers but also nurtures a love for literature that transcends boundaries said Priti Paul Director of Apeejay Surrendra GroupThis is the second time that a Bengali title has received the prestigious award following the translation of Kamel Daoudrsquos Meursault contreenquecircte as ldquoMyorso Birudhyo Sakshordquo by Trinanjan Chakraborty published in 2022 by Patra BharatiThis yearrsquos winning title was originally published in French as Le Divan de Staline It was longlisted for the prestigious Goncourt Prize in 2013 and later adapted for the cinema by Fanny Ardant with Geacuterard Depardieu playing StalinThe story revolves around a singular episode in the life of Stalin With three years left to live Stalin comes to spend several days in his native Georgia in a decadent palace in the middle of a forest In the ducal study where he sleeps is a couch that resembles the one Freud has in London At night his longtime mistress Vodieva plays the role of a psychoanalyst During the day a young painter Danilov a prodigy of social realism waits to be received by Stalin to present to him the monument of eternity that he has designed to his glory Insomnia infinite questioning infinite waiting Stretched out on this couch Stalin plays with the ghosts that haunt his dreams his mother his wife who committed suicide his years in Siberia and Lenin the greatest of the lying fathersJeanDaniel Baltassat imagines the intimate life of the Soviet ruler and far from rehabilitating Stalin as being tender and affable portrays him as a ruthless man who evokes terror and demands submission He approaches Stalin as a writer with a remarkable evocative power where imagination takes over from historical truthEmmanuel LebrunDamiens Counsellor for Education Science and Culture Embassy of France and the Director of the French Institute in India said ldquoJeanDaniel Baltassat belongs to a tradition of French writers excelling in the art of historical fiction With the Romain Rolland Translation Prize we aim to bring contemporary French literature to the forefront and award the efforts made by Indian publishers and translators to make these works available in IndiardquoThe winning publisher will be invited by the French Institute in India to the Paris Book Market in May 2024 and the winning translator will be invited to the Paris Book Fair in April 2024Established in 2017 the Romain Rolland Book Prize awards the finest translation of a French title into any Indian language including English The prize aims to promote and acknowledge the efforts of Indian translators and publishers in introducing the richness of Francophone literature and thought in all its diversity to Indian readers Ms Priti Paul Director of Oxford Bookstores supports the Romain Rolland Prize through the Apeejay TrustThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever