In the first episode of In Other Words, we spoke to Varsha Tiwary a brilliant translator and writer.
Introducing In Other Words
A new segment on The WIP Show (Writing in Progress)
Behind every great book that crosses languages, there’s a translator carefully shaping each sentence, carrying meaning, tone, and rhythm across borders. In Other Words is our way of celebrating these literary bridge-builders.
In each episode, we sit down with a translator to explore their journey into the field, their creative process, and the kinds of projects they are excited to work on. We go beyond the credits to spotlight the craft and the craftsperson.
Here you will find a companion feature for every guest. Get to know their background, explore their notable projects, and find links to their portfolio and social profiles. Whether you are a fellow translator, a writer, or a publisher, we hope you will discover someone inspiring and maybe even someone to collaborate with.
Let’s shine a light on the voices behind the voices.
About Varsha Tiwary
Bio: Varsha is a writer and translator based in Delhi. 1990, Aramganj is her translation of the Hindi novel Rambhakt Rangbaz, published by Westland. She is also a fellow at Himalayan Writing Retreat 2025 fellowship for emerging writers.
Language she translates from: Hindi into English
Notable Projects: Rambhakt Rangbaz Rakesh Kayasth; Laffaz, Yogendra Ahuja; forthcoming, Rekhachitra mein Dhokhe ki Bhoomika, Chandan Pandey.
What is she looking for: Beautiful, exciting sentences
Social Media : Instagram
About Rambhakt Rangbaz
About the Book
A SEARING NOVEL ABOUT HOW SMALL-TOWN INDIA GOT POLARISED BY ADVANI’S RATH YATRA AND HOW THE SEEDS OF A MILITANT HINDU NATIONALISM WERE SOWN.
Mohalla Aramganj is abuzz with wild conjectures about the impending arrival of L.K. Advani’s Ram Rath. Folk who could barely rouse themselves for the anti-Mandal agitation are now astir—what does their love of Ram call them to do? Conversations change, relationships are strained, new animosities crop up. How does all this ferment affect the swashbuckling ‘Mohammadiya Hindu’ Ashiq Miyan, renowned Rambhakt and proprietor of the Two-in-One Tailoring shop?
In this astutely crafted novel, Rakesh Kayasth deploys a Greek chorus of people’s fears, arguments and judgements to portray the social conundrum of India’s heartland. A microcosm of India, Aramganj’s cast of small-town characters embodies caste pride, religious superstition and patriarchy, all of which have a hand in the grisly climax of this story.
1990, Aramganj is set in a watershed moment in Indian history, one that led to a rapid seeding of Hindu consciousness. A blistering novel by one of Hindi’s most inventive writers.
About the Author
RAKESH KAYASTH has worked in various senior roles in print journalism and with news television channels like Aaj Tak, Zee News, Tez and News 24. For the past sixteen years, he has been working as a screenwriter, showrunner and producer. One of his highly rated early shows as a screenwriter was Movers & Shakers. He currently heads the non-live programming team at Star Sports.
Besides the bestselling Hindi novel Rambhakt Rangbaz, which featured on the Hindustan Times list of Best Indian Books across languages in 2022, Kayasth is also the author of two critically acclaimed political satires, Kos-kos Shabdkosh and Prajatantra ke Pakaude. He is also the author-creator of two popular audiobooks, Dil Local (stories set in Mumbai local trains) and Tuktuk ki Kahaniyan.
About the Translator
VARSHA TIWARY translates between Hindi and English. This is her first full-length work of translation.
Watch In Other Words featuring Varsha Tiwary on Book Talk
Want to Be Part of In Other Words?
- Are you a translator with a story to share?
- A writer or publisher looking to connect with talented language professionals?
The first episode of In Other Words featuring Varsha Tiwary is live and this is just the beginning.
If you’re a translator and want to be featured in an upcoming episode and blog post: Fill out the form to tell us more about you!
We can’t wait to spotlight more of the voices behind the words.
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