Author: Munshi Premchand
Foreword/Introductio: Rajiv Tiwari
Publisher: Manoj Publications
Year: 2014
Language: Hindi
Pages: 254
ISBN/UPC (if available): 9788131004883
Description
Munshi Premchand (July 31, 1880-October 8, 1936) brought realism to Hindi literature. Premchand wrote on the realistic issues of the day-communalism, corruption, zamindari, debt, poverty, colonialism etc. he avoided the use of highly Sanskritized Hindi and instead used the dialect of the common people.
Premchand popularly known as Munshi Premchand was one of the greatest literary figures of modern Hindi literature. His stories vividly portrayed the social scenario of those times.
Before Premchand, Hindi literature consisted mainly of fantasy or religious works. Premchand brought realism to Hindi literature. He wrote over 300 stories, a dozen novels and two plays.
Premchand’s writings have been translated not only into all Indian languages, but also English, Russian, Chinese, and many other foreign languages.
Many readers consider Godaan (The Gift of a Cow), his last novel, as his best. The protagonist, Hori, a poor peasant, desperately longs for a cow, a symbol of wealth and prestige in rural India. Hori gets a cow but pays with his life for it. After his death, the village priests demand a cow from his widow to bring his soul to peace.
In Kafan (Shroud), a poor man collects money for the funeral rites of his dead wife, but spends it on food and drink.