Author Translates Beloved Kannada Poet for English Readers

For decades, K S Nissar Ahmed has been a literary icon in Karnataka, but most English readers never got to experience his magical poetry. That's about to change thanks to author Roopa Pai's labor of love.

Pai, best known for her popular children's books, took on her first major poetry translation project in 2016. She started by translating a few of Ahmed's poems for Karnataka Rajyotsava, the state's celebration day, and the response was overwhelming.

The project grew when Ahmed himself agreed to have a collection published by Seagull Books. In 2018, Pai visited his home where he handed her a handwritten list of 100 carefully selected poems from his life's work.

Ahmed wasn't just any poet. He was a geologist who wrote about everything from American foreign policy to Hindu mythology to personal reflections on faith. Kannada literature is unique because high poetry gets set to music and reaches everyday people, not just academics.

Translating his work proved challenging because every poem tackled completely different topics in different styles. "Like a box of chocolates, you never know what flavor you get," Pai explained. Sometimes Ahmed used classical Kannada, other times he invented entirely new compound words.

Juggling the translation with her other book projects took longer than expected. Ahmed grew impatient waiting, but Pai finally completed all 100 poems in 2020. He loved the final result.

Tragically, Ahmed died just days after approving the translations. Pai was devastated and couldn't bring herself to publish the work for three years.

The Ripple Effect

In 2023, Pai realized the best way to honor Ahmed was to share his genius with the world. His poetry shows how language can bridge cultures and bring joy to new audiences.

One colleague called Ahmed "Shabda Brahma," a creator of words. His geological background shines through in verses about diamonds, emeralds, and rivers of molten rock transforming into stone.

Now English readers everywhere can experience the poet who captivated Karnataka for generations.