SĀKET: An English Transcreation
Discover the Unheard Voices of the Ramayana — An English Verse Transcreation of Maithili Sharan Gupt’s Modern Epic
Book Details
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | SĀKET: An English Transcreation |
| Author | Anand Kumar Ashodhiya |
| Original Work | Sāket by Rashtrakavi Maithili Sharan Gupt |
| Language | English |
| Print Length | 148 pages |
| Publication Date | 25 November 2025 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-93-5469-845-3 |
| Genre | Epic Poetry · Transcreation · Feminist Literature · Spiritual Narrative |
| Academic Areas | Modern Indian Literature, Comparative Literature, Translation Studies, Ramayana Traditions, Gender Studies |
| Publisher | Avikavani Publishers |
About the Book
SĀKET: An English Transcreation is a literary bridge making Maithili Sharan Gupt’s celebrated 20th-century Hindi epic accessible to global readers. Widely regarded as a landmark in modern Indian literature, Sāket shifts the epic gaze away from the battlefields of Lanka to the domestic and spiritual core of Ayodhya, illuminating the silent suffering and moral agency of women whose sacrifices sustained the Dharma.
A Testament to Silence and Sacrifice
- Urmila (The Embodiment of Viraha): When Lakshmana joins Rama in exile, Urmila voluntarily embraces fourteen years of conscious separation (viraha). Gupt elevates her quiet vigil, internal asceticism, and spiritual fortitude into the sublime core of the epic.
- Kaikeyi (The Path to Repentance): Moving beyond conventional villainization, the narrative portrays Kaikeyi’s intense internal remorse, psychological complexity, and earnest quest for spiritual redemption.
Beyond Mere Translation: A Transcreation
This volume captures the emotional gravity, rhythm, and philosophical depth of Gupt’s original Khariboli verse. It incorporates contextual cultural annotations, offering readers an accessible path into the spiritual and metaphorical dimensions of classical Indian epic traditions.
Suggested Citation
Ashodhiya, Anand Kumar. (2025). SĀKET: An English Transcreation. Avikavani Publishers.
