Translating Divinity in the Liminal Space. Performative Translations in the Medieval and Early Modern Period in India

Abstract

This essay investigates the Bhāvārthadeepikā (1290) of the saint poet Dnyāneshwar and Father Thomas Stephens’ Kristapurān (1616) in the light of the performative turn in the field of translation studies. The aim of this essay is to explore performativity in these medieval and early modern period Indian translations by culling academic discussion from existing schol­arship in translation studies and theatre studies. Attempt will also be made to expand the existing notions of performativity by adding inputs from the Indian discourse on translation. The essay con­cludes with the finding that the dialogic form of the translations with the use of a qua­train folk meter call­ed the ovi, appear to be the common elements which contribute largely to making the Bhāvārthadeepikā and the Kristapurān per­for­mative and event­ful translations.