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Content Tip
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Write
Articles to share your ideas, views and experiences.
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The Script Writer of Life:
Premchand
How is it that an unsuccessful
film script writer became a great novelist? Premchand’s life
and his literary works are an ideal answer to this question
and also a torch bearer of the society. He inspired hundreds
of new writers. Whatever may be the situation, this man never
forgot his pen. He achieved his goal through struggle and hard
work.
Premchand was born on 31st July, 1880 in a village called
Lamhin which is located somewhere in Banaras. His father’s name
was Ajayab Rai and mother’s name was Anandi Devi. Premchand's
original name was Dhanpat Rai. His pet name was Nawad Rai. In
1888 Premchand lost his mother. The family's economical condition
was very bad. His father married another woman who was very
harsh towards him. At that very age he had a dream of becoming
a writer. For this, he had to sell the notes and books of a
book seller. In return, he was allowed to read stories and novels
available in the shop. This is how he quenched his thirst of
reading and acquired knowledge.
In 1896, he was forced to unwillingly marry an ugly and harsh
girl. In 1897 his father passed away and left him with terrible
family burden. He never fell on his knees. He struggled and
passed high school examination in 1989. In 1899 he became a
teacher of mission school which was in Chunargadh. With his
hard word and struggle, he got a government job within a year.
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In 1902
he entered into a Training School in Allahabad. The headmaster
of this Institution was pleased with his work and behavior
and appointed him for the post of headmaster of the middle
school. In 1905, his first wife left for her mothers house
but never came back. In 1907 he married a widow, Shivrani
Revi without caring about the society. In 1909 he was
appointed to the post of Sub- Repute- Inspector of school.
In 1910 [according to his son Amrit Rai]
In 1925,
he came back to Banaras due to not having a job. In 1927,
he was appointed to the post of editor of “Madhuri.” In
1929 her daughter (Kamla) was married. In the Indian society
a daughter's marriage is considered to be the heaviest
load on the father, but not for a father like Premchand.
In this regard Premchand says that we have only one way
out and that is by educating our daughters and leaving
them free so that they can search, and make their own
way. Well, this was the idea of a 19th century father.
What about 21st century? Don’t we think that this idea
is still missing in present day Indian Society? On 1934
he went to Mumbai and became a film script writer. He
wrote about the workers, about their problems, and solutions
for movements, slogans, and strikes. The film was not
passed through the censor board since capitalists were
its board members.
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Premchand writes
to his friend Jaynandra (a member of Progressive writer’s association,
India). ‘Mil’ was not passed here. It was passed by Lahore Censor
Board and it is running in the theaters… The producers are asking
for such stories which are full of vulgarity. They call it entertainment.
I have written social stories, which is unfit for them. It seems
to me that I am wasting my life here. In 1935 he returned to
Banaras. In 1936 his famous novel “Godan” was published.
During this period
he was very sick. He was unable to walk as he was very weak.
On the night of 7th October 1936, he added another chapter to
his novel “Mangalsutra” but was unknown of the fact that it
will be the last chapter of his own life. 8th
October 1946, a cold morning. It was around 7:30, when Shivrani
Devi came with warm water for Premchand so he can brush his
teeth. Premchand tried to brush his teeth, but was unable to
do so. Helplessly he looked upon Shivrani Devi but was able
to utter a word “Rani…” he was dead.
Hindi sahitya lost Premchand.
Rabindranath send a telegram, in which he wrote “The literary
reputation and work of Premchandji transcended to provincial
boundaries and his loss is a loss to all of us.”
Contributing
Writer: TRILOK NATH PANDEY I'm a
teacher at taktse International school, Sikkim. I
like to write and share my thoughts
trilok.pandey@taktse.org
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