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Hyphen: Connecting Literatures
A literary journal in English, in print and digital formats, scheduled for launch in 2026, presenting the finest translations that the depth, diversity, and genius of writing in Indian languages.
Bridging India's multilingual literary heritage with the world.
A new chapter in India's literary journey has begun. Hyphen arrives with vision and conviction to carry the voices of India's many languages across borders, to their brilliance, and to connect them with readers everywhere.
A literary journal in English, in print and digital formats, scheduled for launch in 2026, presenting the finest translations that the depth, diversity, and genius of writing in Indian languages.
A dedicated publishing house bringing landmark works from Indian languages into English, produced to international standards of editorial and design craft.
A vibrant hub for conversations on literary traditions, translation resources, a curated bookshop, fellowships, seminars, book clubs, publisher forums, and mentorship programmes.
India's literatures are vast, varied, and dazzling, yet so much of this wealth remains unseen beyond linguistic borders. Only a few voices have found their way into English, and the decline in translations between Indian languages has narrowed the exchange even within the country. Hyphen, based in Bangalore and an initiative of Bahuvachana Trust, sets out to bridge these gaps with the support of writers and translators across Indian languages.
"This ambitious project envisions an ecosystem that brings the brilliance of India's literatures to readers across the world. Translation, beyond a deep understanding of Indian languages and cultures, also demands time and strong editorial support. Hyphen distinguishes itself by addressing these needs.
Vivek Shanbhag
Author, Translator & Founding Trustee, Bahuvachana Trust
"A triumph for Indian literary diversity, connecting readers to voices that have long awaited translation.
Namita Gokhale
Author & Festival Director
"India's true essence, reflected in its varied landscapes and languages, finds its voice in the literatures of its people. The time has come to share these voices with the world. Hyphen has taken up this task with vision, and I believe this pioneering work will bear lasting fruit.
Perumal Murugan
Tamil Scholar & Author
"A project that will not only broaden the reach of important writers but will invigorate world literature itself. This is exactly what readers need.
Christopher Merrill
Director, International Writing Program, University of Iowa
and others from India and abroad
Hyphen is an initiative of Bahuvachana Trust — a non-profit organisation that supports literary translations, theatre, and the arts. Based in Bangalore, the Trust has been working to preserve and promote India's rich cultural heritage through various initiatives.