Mangaluru: One of the most popular novels to emerge in the past twenty years, Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist”, a story about the necessary pursuit of happiness, has endeared its author to thousands of readers worldwide. The Alchemist was originally published in Portuguese in 1988. However, the novel’s translation into English and republication in 1993 made the work an “overnight” financial success. It remains on several best-seller lists every year.
The Alchemist traces the path of Santiago, a young Spanish shepherd who is compelled to follow his dream of finding hidden treasure in Egypt. To do so, he must leave the comfort zone of home, learn to trust the “Soul of the World,” and believe that there are forces in the universe that want us to be happy. In order to find happiness, however, Santiago must first discover his “Personal Legend”—that is to say, he must to discover what he is meant to do in the world. Fortunately, Santiago soon takes the first step in his acquisition of happiness: he listens to his heart and overcomes fear. As Santiago continues his sometimes-painful journey, he discovers that one cannot be dissuaded from pursuing a “Personal Legend,” even if the choices seem impossible to bear. The end result for anyone who does so, Coelho assures his readers, is physical and spiritual reward.
“The Alchemist” which has been translated into Kannada by Mangalorean Abdul Raheem Teekay, and named as “Rasavadi” was released on 2 May 2015 at Vajra Banquet Hall-Hotel Moti Mahal by well-known Kannada Novelist Na D’Souza. The program was organized by Salma Bava Foundation. Addressing the audience author, AR Teekay said, ” I am very grateful to Paulo Coelho for giving his consent to translate ‘The Alchemist’ into Kannada-he not only allowed me to translate his story but also took no royalty. ‘The Alchemist’ which has sold 190 million copies worldwide, and translated into 81 different languages, has now been translated into Kannada.”
Teekay also said, ” Although I had read The Alchemist in 1998, I read it once again in 2014 when my son gifted that book on my birthday. Since I always interact with school children studying in government schools, where sometimes children stopped dreaming and lost hope of success in life, I thought translating The Alchemist in Kannada will serve the purpose in enlightening the children build dreams. I want to let you know that The Alchemist is not just fictional but falls into the genre of self-help. I am thankful to everyone who helped me in bringing out ‘Rasavadi’, which I hope will reach every one’s heart and bring a change in their lives”.
Other guests of honors during the book releasing ceremony namely Na D’Souza- renowned Kannada novelist, Umar Teekay-Trustee, Teekay’s Foundation; Vasanth Kumar Perla- Program director-AIR (Akashwani) Mangaluru; B Vivek Rai- Editor, Mangaluru Darshan; A Eshwarayya- Senior journalist/Music critic; Sara Aboobacker- senior Journalist, all praised the great work done by Abdul Raheem Teekay in translating ‘The Alchemist” into “Rasavadi” -the Kannada translation. Few months back AR Teekay had also released his first anthology of Beary poems named ” Mallige Balli”.
The welcome address and introduction of the dignitaries on the dais, and also briefing of the novel “The Alchemist” was done by Umar Teekay, and the vote of thanks was proposed by Soumya Kadumatta. The entire program was professionally compered by B A Mohammed Ali. Family members, relatives, friends and well-wishers in large numbers graced the book releasing ceremony and expressed their best wishes to author Abdul Raheem Teekay. I on behalf of Mangalorean.com would also like to compliment AR Teekay for his marvellous job in bringing out this book, and wish him all success in his future projects- Success galore!
Best of luck in your fiture book release