Celebrated Hindi author and Padma Shri awardee Gyan Chaturvedi’s renowned allegorical novel Pagalkhana has been translated into English, offering global readers a glimpse into its profound societal commentary. The English edition, titled Mad House, has been translated by Punarvasu Joshi and published by Niyogi Books.

The novel explores the societal changes brought about during India’s post-liberalisation period. According to the publishers, Mad House serves as a social commentary aiming to perform a ‘Tikkun Olam’—a Hebrew term meaning “to improve the world”—by presenting the dilemmas of a society grappling with distress and fears in a rapidly evolving landscape.

At the heart of the narrative are two metaphorical characters: ‘The Bazaar,’ symbolizing the powerful forces of the free market, and ‘The Citizen,’ representing individuals ensnared in cycles of fear, distress, and uncertainty.

Mad House seeks to highlight the conflicts and challenges faced by ordinary citizens in an increasingly market-driven world, delivering a sharp critique of societal shifts. With this translation, Chaturvedi’s celebrated work is set to reach a broader audience and spark meaningful conversations about the impacts of liberalisation and market dynamics on everyday life.