Mythology in Translation: Kazi Nazrul Islam’s Bangla Poem “Dhūmkētu” in English Language

Abstract

This study assesses the translation quality of the mythological elements that appear – mainly as symbols – in Kazi Nazrul Islam’s seminal Bangla poem “Dhūmkētu.” The translators involved are Abdul Hakim, Kabir Chowdhury, Mustofa Munir and Sutapa Chaudhuri. Analyzing the data collected from both the original poem and its translations through qualitative textual analysis, it is found that the mythological references that enrich the original poem – including “Baiśvānar,” “Bāman Bidhi,” “Bhagabān-Abhimunyē,” “Daś abatār,” “Dēbarāj-dambhōli,” “Dhūrjaṭi-śikh,” “Mahākāl,” “Pināk,” “Praṇab-ninād” and “Śibēr Trinaẏan” – are variously treated by the translators. The elements that are entirely dropped and thus their cultural significance is suppressed in all the translated versions are the allusions to “Baiśvānar,” “Bāman Bidhi” and “Mahākāl.” The rest of the elements exhibit mixed findings; they are approximated in some versions of the poem but not approximated in the rest of the versions. Instances of mistranslation and the undoing of figures of speech like personifications and symbols are also found in the translated versions, revealing the loss of meaning, implication and original intent.