Sobha Nath Beshra

Sobha(nath) Beshra (born 5 October 1939) is an Indian Santali writer, translator, dramatist and scholar noted for his contributions to modern Santali literature, especially translations and short stories. Sobha(nath) Beshra was born in Niramisri (post office Baharagora) in East Singhbhum district (now in Jharkhand) on 5 October 1939. He has been associated with All India Santali Writers' Association and served on the Santali Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi. His translation of Kalidasa's Meghadūta into Santali as Rahla Raibar (often cited as Rahla Raybar) received the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize in 2010.

Career

Beshra emerged as a writer of short stories, plays and translations in Santali, and his works have been included in university syllabi for Santali literature. He contributed to Santali literary organisations including the All India Santali Writers' Association and the Adivasi Socio-Educational & Cultural Association (ASECA). He was also a member of the Santali Advisory Board of the Sahitya Akademi.

Literary works

Major works

• Pe Jor Kahni (Short Stories)

• Montar (1991).
• Translation: Rahla Raibar — Santali translation of Kalidasa's Meghadūta.

Drama and short stories

Selections of Beshra’s short stories and one-act plays (for example Ankha Laha) have been listed in university curricula for Santali literature.

Style and themes

Beshra's writing engages with social life in Kolhan and surrounding Santali-speaking areas, drawing on oral storytelling traditions and adapting classical works (through translation) into Santali literary idioms. His translation work is especially notable for bringing classical Sanskrit poetry to Santali readers.

Recognition and awards

• Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize (2010) — awarded for translation into Santali of classical/important works.The translation cited is the Santali rendition of Kalidasa’s *Meghadūta* titled Rahla Raibar.

• Featured as one of four Santali writers in a Sahitya Akademi documentary project describing prominent Santali authors.

Legacy and influence

Works by Beshra are included in academic reading lists and regional literary surveys, and his translations helped open access to classical Indian literature for Santali readers. He has been cited in studies of Santali literary history and in syllabi for Santali courses at Indian universities.

See also

• Santali literature
• Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize