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Premchand is one of the respected names in Hindi literature and Godaan is the famous novel of Premchand that made his Premchand. Godaan is one of the best novels you can read in Hindi literature of all time. Premchand always tries to hit the conservative thoughts, blind faith, and ill practices of the society in his literature. Godaan was published in 1936 but it is a well-read novel by the new generation.
Synopsis (Non-Spoiler Alert)
As you know Godaan was published in 1936 and written by Munshi Prem Chand. Being so old and outdated, the novel Godaan is still a very respected and well-read novel. Why?? To understand the reason, you have to read the book. Godaan is not just a book but a living being. It will take you to that time and let you feel all in front of you. It is the story of a farmer and the struggle of his life.
Introduction
Book’s Name: Godaan
Author’s Name: Munshi Prem Chand
Genre: Novel
Based on: human life struggle
Language: Hindi
About the Author
Munshi Premchand is one of the well-respected authors of Hindi literature. The real name of Munshi Premchand was Dhanpat Rai Srivastava, Prem Chand was his pen name. Premchand was a pioneer of Hindi and Urdu social fiction. Premchand was born on 31 July 1880 in a village called Lemhi, Banares state of British India. His family was economically average class, his grander was a Patwari (village land record keeper) and his father was a post office clerk. He began his education in a madrasa in Lalpur near Lemhi.
Premchand had his basic education in Urdu and Persian, later he learned to write Hindi. Premchand got married at fifteen only and remarriage to a child widow. Professionally Premchand joins as a school teacher but later he shifted toward a professional writer. He also tried his luck in Bollywood. He died on 8 October 1936 after a long illness.
Premchand was called “Upanyas Samrat” (King of Novelists). He wrote more than dozens of novels, around 300 short stories, and many essays, articles, and translations of many foreign pieces of literature in the Hindi language. With his writing, Premchand tries to hit the ill practices of society.
His novels describe the condition of poor and middle-class people in society. He talks about corruption, the condition of factory workers, farmers, child widows, prostitution, and many more. Some of his prominent works are Godaan, Gaban, Kafan, Idgah, Mansrover, Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Karmabhoomi, and Bazaar-e-Husn.
About the Book
The word Godaan is a merger of two Hindi words Gow and Daan meaning Donation of a cow. This is a Hindu ritual to purify the spirit after someone dies. Godaan is a story of a village farmer named Hori and their struggle for social and economic life. How he struggles every day with Zamindar, Hawaladar, his neighbour, his wife, his son, and his hope for a better life.
On the other hand, how Zamindar sees his own life and struggle. This story also shows us that everyone's life has its struggles and problems. Everyone has to deal with this and that is life ultimately. The story moves around the life of Hori and his wife Dhania. Every day Hori tries his best to bring a good day in his life but life has something else to offer. How Dhania supports, helps, and struggles to contribute to his life.
Psychological Analysis
This story of Premchand also talks about many problems in society. Problems due to cast segregation, exploitation of lower cast, exploitation of women, problem due to poor management of factory labour, problems due to industrialization, and ill practices of society related to relationships and marriages. The story also portrays the political scenario of that period. You will feel amazed that how the characters of the story debate on each aspect of life. you will learn the value system of life.
The Bottom Line
I feel amazed to see how Premchand alone argues with himself and shows multiple views of life. As in the story, two characters are arguing but if you see this concerning writing, Premchand is arguing with himself and has multiple opinions. I feel Premchand had the gift of seeing everything very differently. I feel his writing skill was awesome. By reading his story you will start feeling the emotion of the characters and you will find yourself with them.
My ratings for the Book: 5 out of 5
Get your copy from here: Flipkart
Written by Sarfaraz Equbal
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