1947 Ravipuram  (Paperback, Balakrishnan Avala)

I would like to share some stories that include the story of translating 1947 Ravipuram from Malayalam into English. This novel is set in when the British had packed their bags and were ready to leave when they realized the sun was setting on one kind of imperialism. They left behind a legacy with which two countries continue to grapple even to this day. Much has been said and written about the Partition of India. It is not within my competence to shed more light into the dark moments that witnessed the birth of two nations. So let me briefly share the story of an interview I had with the Indigenous Canadian authors Lee Maracle and Columpa Bobb in which our discussion touched upon colonization. I asked them about how they heal communities through telling stories. I asked, “How would you look at this whole process of healing? For, colonization is something that we have also passed through.” The response made me see even more clearly how we continue to struggle with a festering wound. Lee Maracle said, “And you haven’t healed from it.” I replied, “We have not healed from it unfortunately.” Maracle’s response was a challenge. She said, “But here is the thing about India. You are asking me the same question that you haven’t answered for yourself.” I started wondering about what Maracle said and I happened to read a poem in which an English poet responded to the singular act of drawing that fateful line.