It has been a great pleasure and opportunity for me to be the guest editor for Madagascar Literature Month in December 2021. First of all, it was a pleasure to connect with so many talented Malagasy writers, poets, translators and publishers, to interview them, to read their works and to learn from them about this … Continue reading #MadagascarLitMonth: Summing Up A Magical Literary Trip
Jean Luc Raharimanana interviewed by Abhay K.
In this interview, novelist Jean Luc Raharimanana tells Abhay K., the guest editor of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative for #MadagascarLitMonth about his latest novel, Revenir, being translated into English and German, why did he write it, how long did it take to write it, surprises he came across while writing it and his favourite Malagasy … Continue reading Jean Luc Raharimanana interviewed by Abhay K.
Ibonia: The Ramayana of Madagascar
-Abhay K. Ibonia is an epic poem of Madagascar dating back centuries which tells the tale of conception, birth, betrothal, struggle and death of its hero Ibonia (Iboniamasiboniamanoro or "he of the clear and captivating glance"). The tale begins with the conception of Ibonia by his mother with the help of divine intervention. Ibonia starts talking … Continue reading Ibonia: The Ramayana of Madagascar
#MadagascarLitMonth: Contemporary Poetry of Madagascar
-Abhay K. I have been in Madagascar close to three years. During this time I have interacted with a number of young Malagasy poets while hosting the monthly literary programme LaLitTana which I started in April 2019. I present a selection of poems of some of these poets in English translation here. Most of the … Continue reading #MadagascarLitMonth: Contemporary Poetry of Madagascar
#MadagascarLitMonth: The Poetry of Elie Rajaonarison
By Mialy Andriamananjara Elie Rajaonarison was a Malagasy poet, for whom Malagasy literature was above all an oral literature. He was born on November 15, 1951 in Ambatondrazaka, a town in the central highlands of Madagascar known for its rice and tobacco production. He was a “poète engagé” who “served as Secretary General to the … Continue reading #MadagascarLitMonth: The Poetry of Elie Rajaonarison
Michèle Rakotoson interviewed by Abhay K.
In this interview well-known Malagasy writer and novelist Michèle Rakotoson tells Abhay K., the guest editor of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative for #MadagascarLitMonth about her novel Lalana translated into English by Allison Charette, her forthcoming novel and her favourite Malagasy writers. Abhay K.- Tell us about your book Lalana which has been translated into … Continue reading Michèle Rakotoson interviewed by Abhay K.
#MadagascarLitMonth: Mose Njo interviewed by Abhay K.
In this interview novelist and short story writer Mose Njo tells Abhay K., the guest editor of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative for #MadagascarLitMonth about his short story Siri mon Amour, Zuckerbook ma Patrie. translated into English by Allison M. Charette, why did he write it, how long did it take to write it, surprises … Continue reading #MadagascarLitMonth: Mose Njo interviewed by Abhay K.
Mialy Andriamananjara interviewed by Abhay K.
In this interview Malagasy short story writer and novelist Mialy Andriamananjara tells Abhay K., the guest editor of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative for #MadagascarLitMonth about her short story Dreams, Miracles and Jazz published in An Anthology for African Writers, why does she write in English, and her favourite Malagasy writers. Abhay K.- Tell us … Continue reading Mialy Andriamananjara interviewed by Abhay K.
#MadagascarLitMonth: Soamiely Andriamananjara interviewed by Abhay K.
In this interview novelist Soamiely Andriamananjara tells Abhay K., the guest editor of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative for #MadagascarLitMonth about his collection of short stories “Rough Draft”, why did he write them, how long did it take to write these short stories, surprises he came across while writing them and his favourite Malagasy writers. … Continue reading #MadagascarLitMonth: Soamiely Andriamananjara interviewed by Abhay K.
Hainteny: Traditional Poetry of Madagascar
Hainteny is the traditional poetry of Madagascar. Hainteny means ‘knowledge of words’ in Malagasy language. It is part of traditional oral literature of Madagascar, which is mostly in the form of a dialogue between a female and a male, and strongly reminds me of poems of Tamil Sangam literature and Gatha Saptasati of India. Leonard … Continue reading Hainteny: Traditional Poetry of Madagascar
Global Literature in Libraries Initiative 