Lost in Translation? Upamanyu Chatterjee Asks: Why Isn’t Indian English on Our Syllabus?

Guest of honor author Upamanyu Chatterjee presented the Samvatsar Lecture during the biennial Sahitya Akademi's Festival of Letters 2025 at New Delhi, asking a disputed question: "Why are we not studying Indian English?" Chatterjee reminded of the particular growth of English in India because of its...

Guest of honor author Upamanyu Chatterjee presented the Samvatsar Lecture during the biennial Sahitya Akademi's Festival of Letters 2025 at New Delhi, asking a disputed question: "Why are we not studying Indian English?" Chatterjee reminded of the particular growth of English in India because of its multilinguality and multiculturalism and emphasized the interest that such evolution would evoke for research. He argued that Indian English is not a colonial relic but a dynamic, living language that reflects India's identity. Chatterjee urged scholars to move beyond the world canon and explore its distinct syntax, idioms, and cultural expressions. The discussion was a part of Asia's biggest literature festival and enjoyed the patronage of 700+ authors writing in 50+ languages. "Indian Literary Traditions" was the theme of this festival that celebrates diversities and inclusive traditions in literature. Source: Sahitya Akademi, Adda247