Poet, editor and human rights activist Girdhar Rathi (b. 1943) has published three books of poetry – Baahar Bheetar, Uninde kee Loree and Nimit; two books of criticism — Oohapoh and Antasth, one travelogue Naye Cheen mein Das Din and has co-edited (with Daniel Weissbort) Survival: An Experience and An Experiment in Translating Modern Hindi Poetry.

Besides the anthology of Hungarian poetry Das Adhunik Hangaari Kavi (translated with the help of Margit Koves, 2009), his other translations include Har Shai Badaltee Hai (a collection of Bertolt Brecht’s poems in Hindi, co-translated by Reiner Lotse, 1990), Bada Chidiyaghar aur Anya Kavitayen (a collection of poems by the Cuban poet Nicolas Guillen, translated from English, 1988), Vah Jise Sab Yaad Tha (K. Satchidanand’s Malayalam collection translated with the poet’s help, 1996), Gotrayan (Ayappa Panikkar’s Malayalam collection translated with the poet’s help, 1995) and Desh (Oriya poet Harprasad Das’s poem sequence translated with the help of the poet, 2001). Presently translating the French-Tunisian poet Taher Bekri, with the help of the filmmaker Suraj Ghai. Has also translated poetry by Yves Bonnefoy, Euginio Montale, Daniel Weissbort and Yannis Ritsos.

He was the editor of the Sahitya Academy’s Hindi journal Samkaleen Bharatiya Sahitya (1992-2003) and Pratipaksh, managing editor of the international journal Alternatives (1978-1991), and editorial assistant for China Report and Janyug.

Formerly secretary of the Amnesty International’s India chapter, Rathi is now a freelance journalist and writer. Lives in Delhi.

Girdhar Rathi at Pratilipi

1. दस हंगारी कवि (Translator)