Arshia Sattar Conferred with French Honour

Renowned author and translator Arshia Sattar has added another feather to her cap, being honored with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government. The prestigious award was presented by Thierry Mathou, the ambassador of France to India, in a ceremony held at the Consulate General of France in Bengaluru on November 28.

Arshia Sattar’s Remarkable Contributions:

Arshia Sattar, aged 63 and based in Bengaluru, has made significant contributions to Indian literature and mythology. Notable among her works are translations of epics like the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, as well as tales from Kathasaritsagara. Her literary prowess extends to creating engaging books for children, with “The Mahabharata for Children” earning her the Sahitya Akademi Prize for Children’s Literature in 2022.

Multifaceted Literary Engagement:

Beyond translation and writing, Sattar delved into podcasting with the production of a nine-piece series titled ‘The River Has No Fear of Memories.’ This podcast, released earlier this year, pays homage to the life and legacy of the renowned playwright and actor Girish Karnad, incorporating extensive conversations between Sattar and Karnad before his passing in June 2019.

Sangam House and Literary Residency:

In 2008, Arshia Sattar co-founded the literary residency, Sangam House, alongside David William Gibson. This initiative aimed to provide a nurturing space for writers in regional languages. Over the years, Sangam House has hosted more than 200 writers from India and around the world. Notably, it is a proud member of the Villa Swagatam network of residencies, an initiative launched by the French Institute in India in March 2023, comprising 16 Indian residencies across arts and crafts, performing arts, and literature.

Global Recognition:

Being conferred with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters places Arshia Sattar in esteemed company, as the honor has previously been bestowed upon luminaries like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Richa Chadha, Raghu Rai, Ebrahim Alkazi, Habib Tanveer, and Upamanyu Chatterjee.

Conclusion:

Arshia Sattar’s journey through the realms of translation, writing, and fostering literary communities has now been crowned with the prestigious French honor. Her versatile contributions to literature, coupled with the recognition of the French government, solidify her position as a literary luminary on both national and international stages.

Important Questions Related to Exams

1. What prestigious award has Arshia Sattar recently received, and who presented it to her?

Solution: Arshia Sattar has recently been honored with the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government, presented by Thierry Mathou, the ambassador of France to India.

2. Who are some of the luminaries who have previously received the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters, the same honor bestowed upon Arshia Sattar?

Solution: Previous recipients of the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters include luminaries like Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Richa Chadha, Raghu Rai, Ebrahim Alkazi, Habib Tanveer, and Upamanyu Chatterjee.

3. What does the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters represent, and what does it signify for Arshia Sattar’s career?

Solution: The Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France in the field of arts and literature. For Arshia Sattar, this honor signifies global recognition and solidifies her position as a literary luminary on both national and international stages.

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