UK author picked for expat award

Noted British author, academic and translator of several Indian vernacular classics Ronald E Asher has been chosen for this year’s Basheer Puraskaram (Basheer Award) instituted by expatriate forum Pravasidoha.
The award has been instituted in memory of legendary Malayalam writer Vaikom Mohamed Basheer.

The 84-year-old Asher, who has translated a number of Malayalam and Tamil classics into English would receive a plaque, citation and a cash award of Rs51,000.

“Asher was considered for the honour in recognition of his contributions to popularise Indian classics to English without compromising on their genuineness, variety and richness,” said the Doha–based forum.

Asher was the dean of International Languages at Britain’s Edinburgh. Since 2001 he has been an honorary fellow at the faculty of arts/school of humanities at the university.

Full report here Gulf Times