India has a rich history of regional literature. From trailblazers in poetry to groundbreaking novelists, authors have defied societal norms, overcome obstacles, and brought about social change with their writing.
How English Ruined Indian Literature. When Aatish Taseer wrote the opinion piece in the New York Times a decade back, many were quick to refute the claim. It also got a few to sit up and analyze if we are indeed allowing English to overshadow our regional literature. Was convenience and ease of use cannibalizing our linguistic heritage?
Globalization and the dominance of English literature has had an impact on regional Indian literature. There is often a lament that regional literature is dying. Far from it, it is evolving and adapting to contemporary sensibilities. No doubt it is facing challenges. Be it the limited market, lack of promotion, awareness, and recognition, or overall apathy. Yet it continues to thrive playing a crucial role in preserving and celebrating India’s cultural diversity.
What is a Regional Language?
Simply said, a regional language is a language spoken in a region of a country. India has over 700 languages and dialects with 22 languages included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution. These are Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Hindi makes the list too. It is indeed a regional language that is spoken in central India (the Hindi belt). On the contrary, are we still in the colonial hangover by considering local languages as regional and English as a primary language? A language that dominates education and media. Food for thought.
We have reasons to believe that regional literature is not going anywhere anytime soon. The onus of sustaining it is with publishers, authors, and us readers.
A Change in Reading Habits
Regional literature has always had strong roots in rural and niche urban areas in India. While some languages such as Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, and Gujarati among others have managed to retain their linguistic heritage, others particularly Hindi are fast losing. Few people were reading books and fewer more were reading regional literature.
Now, there is a renewed interest in regional themes among young urban readers. Readers no longer shy away from reading books in their native language. Trying to read more diversely, we are seeking out more translated works across languages. An attempt to preserve our linguistic and cultural heritage.
Readers are open to exploring more genres that were barely recognized earlier. LGBTQIA+ themes and memoirs, Dalit literature, and struggles of the social and political outcast. Our reading habits continue to evolve.
Celebrating Translated Literature
Let’s be honest. Each time an Indian author wins an international literary award, there is a renewed interest in regional writing and translated literature. Geetanjali Shree who won the International Booker Prize in 2022 for her Hindi novel Tomb of Sand has readers reaching out not just for the award-winning translated book but the original 2018 Hindi novel, Ret Samadhi, as well.
Translators are finally getting their due. There is a growing focus on translations with more and more books being translated to English and other languages. Exploring translated literature from different cultures and languages helps gain unique insights and perspectives that may not be present in mainstream English-language books.
Local Literary Festivals and Awards
There is an emergence of local literary festivals than ever before. Beyond the Jaipur Literary Festival and Kolkata Literary Festival, these local literary festivals help bring regional authors to the forefront.
Niche festivals such as the Gateway LitFest emphasize bringing regional literature into the mainstream. Be it languages facing extinction or script-free languages. In its 8th year, it continues to provide space for established and emerging writers.
“I would urge for the existence of more literary festivals and awards in smaller towns too so that the authors of these regions get their due recognition and are able to interact with their readers, thereby further encouraging the habit of reading and writing.” – Vinita Dawra Nangia, distinguished editor and author, Festival Director of the Times Literature Festival.
Government and private literary award committees continue to promote regional works, providing them the national attention they deserve. For decades. Sahitya Akademi Awards have celebrated writing in regional languages. The JCB Prize for Literature continues to emphasize regional and translated works.
Self Publishing in Regional Languages
Breaking into the mainstream publishing industry is difficult, particularly for regional authors with limited access and networking skills. Self-publishing, be it digital such as KDP or print books allows writers to bypass traditional publishing routes.
Self-publishing digital books allows authors to market their books to a global audience. They also provide more creative freedom without the constraints of traditional publishing. It would not be wrong to say that it has democratized publishing. Authors are more autonomous in sharing their diverse voices.
In defense of publishing houses, they can print only a limited number of books. Moreover, the market for regional books is much smaller and not commercially viable.
Digital Platforms for Regional Languages
There are several digital platforms now available for regional writers to showcase their work and connect with the audience. Platforms such as Pratilipi and StoryMirror connect readers and writers in Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Malayalam, and Tamil among others. Apart from hosting writing contests, they also support writers to publish their stories across various formats including ebooks, print, audiobooks, and podcasts.
Apart from popular bookstores now offering regional ebooks, Digital subscription services such as Storytel offer audiobooks in regional languages that were not as accessible earlier.
Impact of Social Media
Be it transcending boundaries and creating connections with readers directly, social media has played an important role in sustaining regional literature. Providing the authors a platform to connect directly with their audience. Creating a niche audience for regional books.
That said, social media continues to get a bad rap. No doubt algorithms play an important role and the hyped books are not the best. Content creators need to strike a balance. At the end of the day, we want people to read. It is time to look beyond the algorithm.
When I began book blogging in 2019, one of my pet peeves was that pop culture promoted Hindi translations of recent English bestsellers instead of contemporary Hindi literature. We have come a long way since then.
Change is the only constant. As with everything else, literature too has had to adapt to modern sensibilities to sustain itself. With the right support, it will continue to grow and thrive. It is more important than ever before to preserve our literary traditions. What are your thoughts on the state of regional literature? Do share in the comments below.
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.
This post is a part of ‘Embrace the Native Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters.
February 7, 2025 @ 6:11 pm
Thank you, Ritu, for this post. I have been so immersed in reading children’s literature that it just struck me I have been missing out on translated children’s literature.
February 7, 2025 @ 10:27 pm
Regional literature has a lot of depth and richness, and it’s good to see that it’s getting the recognition it deserves.
February 9, 2025 @ 2:36 pm
This is the truth! But thanks to book clubs, book reviewers, influencers, and themes like this one that are encouraging to read native or translated books. I hope the regional literature is not lost to time and we as readers keep the traditional literature alive, atleast we try!
February 10, 2025 @ 8:32 am
The world needs a global language and hence English will continue to hold sway. There’s a lot of good literature in regional languages too in spite of the dominance of English. My language, Malayalam, has some eminent writers whose works are translated to English frequently. Similar is the case with other languages too.
February 27, 2025 @ 11:03 am
This post gives is like getting a bird’s eyeview on literature, regional language & it’s significance. I hope there are more platforms other than pratilipi /story mirror to preserve and portray regional language in the national forum.
February 16, 2025 @ 12:27 am
Translations go a long way in ensuring that readers stay in touch with regional literature. There is no doubt that English books hold sway over the vernacular. However, it is encouraging to see a resurgence in regional literature in certain states. In Kerala, Bengal and Tamil Nadu especially, one does find regional writers being translated a lot more. A wonderful post that throws much light on the significance of regional literature, Thank you.
February 17, 2025 @ 5:21 pm
Yes Ritu, that’s the truth and we have to accept it. English is here to stay. The sadder fact is that if not literature, atleast till our generation most of us spoke in our mother tongues at home… that is fast fading away as our kids talk only in English.
One ray of hope for readers is that we get to read many more regional language translated books of modern day authors these days and watch movies and series based on them too.
February 18, 2025 @ 12:20 pm
I agree with you 100% over Change is the only constant. Unless we read a new regional author’s work, how do we know where the contemporary literary scene stands?
February 18, 2025 @ 12:26 pm
Your blog looks like a full proof plan to bring back regional, local languages in trend. These pointers are practically applicable and will definitely yield results too…
February 18, 2025 @ 5:33 pm
Insightful post , Ritu. Yes, you are right. Change is constant and these regional language also adapt modern way for sustainability . I am.also searching marathi children book and find it is very difficult to get the good one. Thank you for the post.
February 26, 2025 @ 11:52 pm
This is an enlightening post. I recently started a translation reading challenge where I read one book from each Indian language through the year. I have already uncovered a lot of gems. Loved your post.
February 20, 2025 @ 10:20 am
I think more than forcing regional languages in schools where kids from all over come to learn, the families should take it upon themselves to teach their younger generations the regional language. With all the forced languages I’ve had to learn, it would’ve been better if I was made to learn my own native language instead. That’s what I think.
And more than the insistence on regional language-learning, I think ethics, road rules and behaviour in public should also be taught strictly.
February 20, 2025 @ 4:40 pm
I agree with your post. Translated work by Indian authors is recognized or noticed only after they win overseas, that is when our patriotism awakens and we lay claim to their work as fellow countrymen/women. The need for English as a common language helps unify our country which is so diversely rich. Book clubs and influencers greatly help to narrow the bridge between a writer and a reader.
February 21, 2025 @ 7:05 pm
Vinita Dawra Nangia has rightfully underlined that our regional language literature will get a lot of exposure with more literature festivals and awards centred around them and it seems to be working with the recent Kolkata ,Jaipur Literature Festivals success.
February 23, 2025 @ 4:33 am
Great to see the resurgence of regional literature. Given that English is not just a global langugae, it is the language that connects the diverse Indian populace, it will remain important and in fact through translated works, help readers understand and live diverse cultures. But reading in native language has its own pull. In many of my book club groups, i see younger readers seeking to read regional literature which is a great sign.
February 23, 2025 @ 1:13 pm
Reading Hindi literature has been on my mind for ever so long – that’s the only other language I know, apart from English. Your post reminded me of my resolution. I’ve been looking for modern-day books in Hindi with little success. I tried a few (Manav Kaul, Divya Prakash Dube) but they didn’t much appeal to me. I have Ret Samadhi but I couldn’t get through it. Maybe I need to try harder.
February 24, 2025 @ 2:23 pm
It’s true yet with time things are changing. Not just native language reading but translated works of different languages are finding their audiences. Loved this blog
February 24, 2025 @ 7:39 pm
While reading the translated works, the main problem I have faced is its translation style, which seems not properly aligned in most of the books. Don’t want to take the name, but last year I read a famous book which is a translated work of the original Tamil book. I felt the emotional connection was lost in the translation process. But I am a great fan of regional literature works, I feel they are strongly connected to their roots.
February 25, 2025 @ 11:36 am
I agree. Translated works are getting their due now was various reasons. In fact, reading translated works gets us to some of the best local works and understand the rich tradition of culture of the region.
February 26, 2025 @ 11:52 pm
This is an enlightening post. I recently started a translation reading challenge where I read one book from each Indian language through the year. I have already uncovered a lot of gems. Loved your post.
February 27, 2025 @ 7:55 am
This is such a well-researched and insightful piece! Regional literature is the heart of our cultural identity, and it’s encouraging to see its resurgence. While the growing recognition of translated works is a positive step, there’s still much more to be done to ensure regional literature receives the respect and prominence it truly deserves.
February 27, 2025 @ 1:16 pm
Though extraordinary literary writeups are plentiful in our regional language, they need review, marketing and exposure in English. I remember hearing from one of the best regional writers that writers craft their work day and night and sell it like visiting cards. Sadly, this is the current scenario of present writers, and it is even worse with the emergence of AI. This post is insightful research in regional languages.
February 27, 2025 @ 1:46 pm
This was a unique take on the prompt for ECM blog hop! Most of the people put out their writings in their mother tongue and its translations in English! I am glad you took a different approach and wrote about the overall scenario of regional languaeg and literature. Thanks for penning such a good piece on this issue.
February 28, 2025 @ 11:19 pm
This is so inspiring for regional authors and poets yo contribute for their culture. I will definitely check out these publications for my upcoming books.
March 1, 2025 @ 12:31 am
This post was greatly informative. I loved how you have highlighted the importance of translation. Have been in a Indian translation reading chanllenge myself and I cant tell you how much this post has inspired me.
March 1, 2025 @ 5:04 pm
I’m forgetting the name but there was one such lit fest which only had the state language books and I remember feeling disappointed, then proud; disappointed coz none of my books were eligible to enter and proud that we’re finally promoting local literature more than global lit. I think we need more such fests and events promoting just the local languages.
March 3, 2025 @ 3:25 pm
it makes me very happy to see people going back to reading in Hindi or Punjabi specially in the north belt because I remember an author event of K.R.Meera where a reader had come with the Malayalam book of her English translated “The Assassin” which made me see how south Indian languages have kept their literature in their languages intact.
March 3, 2025 @ 3:28 pm
Ritu, you have raised such important points in your post. while pride in the local language was there while growing up, there were not many books available to read in Hindi in our school library. Morever, the way the subject was taught in school was also not conducive to reading Hindi for pleasure. It is only recently that I have started reading Hindi, but even tehnI prefer the translation to original Hinid only because of the ease of reading. (and I do thank the translators because only then are we able to access such gems like Geetanjali, Perumal Murugan and Vivek Shanbag)
There does need to be done more from the readers also to promote regional literature, social media does help in that case.
March 4, 2025 @ 10:45 pm
I loved your take on regional literature. I used to feel like we missed many stories because of the language barrier. but, recently the translated works are gaining the reader’s attention, and I love exploring them.
March 5, 2025 @ 4:38 pm
As someone who has always valued the richness of regional literature, I found this article deeply insightful. The discussion on how English has influenced Indian literature resonates with me—I’ve often wondered if our linguistic heritage is being sidelined in the pursuit of global accessibility.
That said, I also see the evolution happening, especially with the rise of translations and digital platforms making regional works more accessible. I particularly appreciate the point about self-publishing democratizing literature; it’s empowering to see more voices finding their space.
The role of social media is another aspect I’ve personally observed—while algorithms can be frustrating, they have undeniably helped regional literature reach a wider audience. This piece made me reflect on my own reading habits, and I’m now motivated to explore more books in my native language. Thank you for this thought-provoking post.
March 12, 2025 @ 5:41 pm
I am glad that we are focusing and reading more translated works these days. Social media, book blogs and book clubs have played a huge and pivotal role in helping such hidden gems reach a wider audience. Thank you for this post, Ritu!
March 15, 2025 @ 1:53 am
This is so true. This is the season where we see a lot of translated works which have garnered a lot of reading base. I myself have read two to three in the last quarter. Good that regional works are getting the recognition