Weighty issues

The book,which was translated into Marathi by Ujjwala Barve,head of department of Communication and Journalism at the University of Pune,comes close on the heels of the English version becoming a national best seller. Barve says,“The main aim of translating the book in Marathi,was to reach out to a wider and local audience who could relate to the language and understand the simple concepts of the book. As the English version of the book is a very simple and reader friendly one,I have tried to keep the Marathi version similar.”

Some of the important aspects about weight loss that the book deals with,are the ideal strategies of losing ones weight by eating food of the right quality in the right quantity and at the right time. Diwekar also adds,“A very honest perception that I have about people living in Maharashtra is the fact that they are very comfortable with an idea if it is presented to them in a user friendly manner. Also even though they do not admit it a lot but heart of heart they all like to look fit and in ship shape. These issues were precisely what the book’s Marathi version will address and moreover what good is knowledge if it is not conveyed across to everyone in an effective manner.”

As far as the translation goes,Barve does have some interesting things to say. “One of the most important fact that I kept in mind while translating the book was to retain the simple lucid effect it had on the readers of the English version. Also the Marathi version is not a word-to-word literal translation,but a translation that retains the inherent idea of the book,which is reflected in the title. The Marathi version aims to be a conversation between the author and the reader on the issue of weight loss. So the Marathi version also includes humourous anecdotes,real life day to day examples and pointers on how to achieve a healthy lifestyle,” said Barve.

“The book will also be coming out in Hindi and Gujarati version very soon. And just as the Marathi version they will also retain the element of simplicity throughout,because at the end of the day what all authors and translators want is the ability to connect with the commonest of the common and see them benefit from the literature that they have written. And God willing we’ll do that,” smiles Diwekar.