In the third episode of In Other Words, we spoke to Vaibhav Sharma, a translator par excellence.
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 Vaibhav Sharma
Vaibhav Sharma is a translator and poet from India. He was mentored by International Booker Prize-winning translator Daisy Rockwell under the 2023 NCW Emerging Translators Mentorship Program. His work has been published in Out of Print, Words Without Borders, Hans, Modern Poetry in Translation, The Bombay Literary Magazine and Himal magazine.
Vaibhav Sharma was shortlisted for the Armory Square Prize for South Asian Literature in Translation in 2023 and the Mozhi Prize in 2024. His debut translation, Under the Night Jasmine, came out in February 2024. His translation of Anil Yadav’s story collection, Courtesans Don’t Read Newspapers, is forthcoming from Penguin India in 2025.
Language he translates from: Hindi into English
Notable Projects: Under The Night Jasmine – Manav Kaul, Feb ’24, Penguin India
Currently in progress:
Courtesans Don’t Read Newspapers – Anil Yadav, Forthcoming, Penguin India
What is he looking for: Always on the look out for interesting works which play with language, form & style.
Social Media : Instagram | X | LinkedIn
Portfolio: Fueler
About The Night Jasmine by Manav Kaul (Translated by Vaibhav Sharma)
About the Book
How complex are relationships between men and women? How corrupted is a man’s thinking for women he interacts with? Even though a woman gives birth to a man, how little a man understands her!
When the pandemic strikes and the lockdown happens, the usually, always travelling Rohit is forced travel within himself and explore his relationships thus far: with his mother, his teacher, his lovers―relationships that affect his current thought process, his relationships now. With the first stirrings of sexual attraction for his teacher and her lover came the shame of desire. His relationship with his lost girlfriend, with Dushyant, brings in guilt and remorse. What could he have done differently? What kind of a shameless person was he, using people to fulfil himself?
Fluctuating between poetry and prose, questioning even the method of writing Under the Night Jasmine is a world that is layered and many-splendored. It’s a coming-of-age novel ― A micro look at a man’s world that both pushes back and fascinates.
About the Author
Born in Baramulla, Kashmir, Manav Kaul has been an integral part of the film world, acting, directing and writing for the past twenty years. With each of his new plays, Manav has made people sit up and take notice, and he has created an equally valuable body of work as a writer. His books Theek Tumhare Peeche (Right Behind You) and Prem Kabootar (Love Pigeon) have been dominating the Neilson bestseller list.
Watch In Other Words featuring Vaibhav Sharma 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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