Mon Nov 11 18:44:54 UTC 2024: ## Perumal Murugan’s “Maadhorupaagan” to be Published in French by Gallimard

**Chennai, November 12, 2024:** Tamil writer Perumal Murugan’s acclaimed novel “Maadhorupaagan” will be published in French by the prestigious Gallimard publishing house in January 2025. Translated by Léticia Ibanez, the book tells the story of a childless couple in Tamil Nadu’s Kongu region and has been the subject of controversy in India.

The French translation, a two-year labor of love for Ibanez, faced challenges in conveying the nuances of Kongu Tamil dialect and the repetitive use of pronouns in the original text. The English translation of the novel, titled “One Part Woman,” won the Sahitya Akademy award for translation and helped Ibanez navigate certain dialogues, but she emphasizes the need to capture the authentic Tamil voice in French.

“One of the challenges in translation was to find a way to transpose into French the Kongu Tamil spoken by the characters,” Ibanez said. She also discussed the difficulty of translating the use of past tenses in the novel, relying on the expertise of fellow translator Dominique Vitalyos for guidance.

Despite the challenges, Ibanez is thrilled to have worked with Gallimard, renowned for its literary standards. “I feel happy and proud to have been part of that team,” she said. “I hope that the book will be well received by the French-speaking readers.”

Murugan’s “Maadhorupaagan” has already garnered international attention and acclaim, and this French translation promises to introduce the author’s work to a wider audience. The novel is expected to be a significant addition to the world of translated literature, showcasing the richness and depth of Tamil storytelling.

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