A Journey of Literary Diversity: Chaaya Publishers and Their Videshi Project

In the heart of Hyderabad, a passion for literature transformed into a thriving publishing venture called Chaaya Publishers. Founded by Mohan Babu in 2017, this unique enterprise aims to bring the world’s best fiction and non-fiction to Telugu readers. With over 200 published titles, more than half of which are translations, Chaaya Publishers has embarked on an ambitious project known as “Videshi.” This initiative is centered on translating contemporary global literature into Telugu and offers readers a taste of stories from around the world.

The Evolution of Chaaya Publishers

The story of Chaaya Publishers is more about the love of literature than a traditional business model. Mohan Babu shares that it all started ten years ago when they were known as the Chaaya Resources Centre. Initially, their main focus was to host monthly literary discussions. These vibrant meetings brought together not just critics but also writers and avid readers who engaged in lively debates about novels and story collections.

About nine years back, Babu felt the urge to take another step forward. He began assisting friends in publishing their works, starting with original Telugu poetry and prose. The turning point came when they ventured into translating remarkable literature from other Indian languages. Writers like Vivek Shanbhag from Kannada and Jeyamohan from Tamil gained appreciation from Telugu readers, igniting a demand for stories that stretched beyond regional boundaries.

This pivotal change led to immense growth. Chaaya Publishers transitioned from a two-member team to a dedicated group of eight individuals. Today, the team comprises experienced editors, designers, and a committed CEO, Arunank Latha, who oversees rights acquisitions and market strategies.

The Vision Behind the Videshi Series

The launch of the Videshi series at the start of 2025 is a significant milestone for Chaaya Publishers. Babu’s love for international literature played a crucial role in shaping this initiative. Early in his life, he encountered remarkable translations from world literature, like those by Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. However, he noticed that modern Telugu readers lacked access to contemporary global narratives.

Recognizing this gap, Chaaya Publishers set out with a clear mission: to make high-quality translations of exceptional foreign literature available to Telugu readers. Initially starting modestly, the team’s outreach efforts unveiled a treasure trove of award-winning literary works. The series, titled “Videshi,” proudly encompasses 25 remarkable titles from 15 different languages, including Scandinavian languages, French, German, and Italian. The team successfully launched five titles this year, with plans to release the remaining works by the end of 2027.

Overcoming Challenges in Translation

Publishing translations from foreign languages presents several hurdles. First, acquiring rights to outstanding works is a lengthy process. Chaaya Publishers seeks the crème de la crème, including Nobel and Booker Prize-winning authors. They strive to educate foreign publishers about the potential of the Telugu market and audience size, often making a case for the exclusivity of these rights.

Secondly, the challenge of language arises. They sometimes lack direct access to skilled Telugu translators for particular languages. As a result, they follow a “relay translation” process, whereby they first obtain rights for esteemed English translations before converting them into Telugu. They collaborate only with reputable English publications to ensure the quality of the final translated works.

Lastly, expanding their internal capacity is an ongoing objective. Managing the ambitious goal of publishing 25 international titles over three years requires careful planning. Chaaya Publishers has actively invited and trained new translators and editors, ensuring that the quality remains uncompromised while meeting their targets.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Chaaya Publishers

The future holds exciting prospects for Chaaya Publishers. They aim to solidify their presence in the domestic market while also sharing Telugu literature with the world. They envision publishing 25 foreign titles in Telugu each year and making efforts to connect with young readers eager for a global literary experience.

An interesting aspect of their future plans is the training of translators as part of their Telugu-to-English workshops. Recently, Chaaya Publishers successfully conducted a six-month workshop, allowing budding translators to learn from renowned experts. This initiative aims to promote high-quality Telugu literature internationally, opening doors for Telugu writers in Western literary discussions.

Additionally, Chaaya Publishers has made strides in community engagement by hosting the Chaaya Literary Festival, which welcomed local authors and literature enthusiasts. They plan to expand this event over the next two years by inviting international writers and translators to create solid cultural bridges through the transformative power of translated literature.

In conclusion, Chaaya Publishers is not just about books; it’s about fostering connections, embracing diversity, and enriching the Telugu literary landscape. Through their dedicated efforts, they are bringing the world to Telugu readers, one translation at a time.

ChaayaPublishers #VideshiProject #TeluguLiterature #Translation #GlobalLiterature #Hyderabad #BookCommunity #Readers #LiteratureLovers #InclusiveReading

Original Text – https://scroll.in/article/1089230/a-contemporary-global-conversation-a-hyderabad-publisher-is-translating-world-fiction-into-telugu?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=public