Rajalakshmi N.K. is a distinguished English academic, translator, and literary scholar whose work has significantly enriched the dialogue between Kannada and English literature. An Associate Professor of English at University College, Mangaluru, she has devoted decades to teaching, research, and mentoring students while championing the art of translation. Her scholarship reflects a deep engagement with Indian writing in English, regional literatures, and cross-cultural literary traditions.

As a translator, Rajalakshmi has played an important role in bringing Kannada literary voices to wider audiences, preserving the nuances of language, culture, and lived experience with remarkable sensitivity. She believes translation is not merely a linguistic exercise but a creative bridge that connects diverse worlds and expands literary horizons. At #BBLF-2026, she brings her rich academic insight and translator's perspective to conversations on language, literature, and the transformative power of stories across cultures.