जो आत्मा और सुदाचर के उपासक है, उन्हें कुबेर लाते मारता है।
Munshi Premchand is a name adored and revered universally in Hindi Literature. People are usually struck by how well this literary giant understood human emotions and presented them to the readers in a way that not only made it a treat to read but also helped them understand and appreciate the complexity of human nature.
Kafan and Other Stories by Premchand is a collection of 14 short stories published by Maple Press Pvt. Ltd. Through these short stories, we look at the myriad emotions humans go through in their ordinary lives. Stories of trials and tribulations, greed, addictions, the advent of maturity, difficult decisions, human folly, and many others have been covered in this collection.
What strikes me the most about Premchand’s writing is that, while some of the stories feature people from the pre-independence era, their struggles and moral conundrums remain valid today. I loved delving into the complex beauty of human emotions and the simple yet profound stories Premchand has captured through his writing.
Following are my favourite three stories from this collection:
- कफ़न (Coffin)
- दो बहनें (Two Sisters)
- मेरी पहली रचना (My First Composition)
I liked this story the most
The story follows a father-son duo from a marginalized caste who are the victims of extreme poverty. As the son’s pregnant wife dies, the men of the house realize that they do not have enough money to buy a burial shroud for her body. Instead of mourning her death and using the money collected from a village elder, they decide to spend every last penny on drinking booze.
The story horrifically captures the detrimental impacts of moral decay induced by debilitating destitution. What I truly loved about this story was how it explored the callous nature of both the father and son. They knew what they were doing was wrong, chastised each other for it, but still continued with their depraved ways.
This story reaffirmed my belief that it took immense courage and a great sacrifice to become a revolutionary freedom fighter.
We are introduced to Vishwambhar, a poor university student, who is drawn to India’s freedom movement and wants to contribute to it. Going against his friend Anand’s advice, who prioritizes personal ambition and academic success, Vishwambhar joins the Indian Independence Movement, volunteering to spread the message of independence in rural areas. Rupmani,Vishwambhar, and Anand’s common friend is initially urged by Anand to dissuade Vishwambhar from risking his career. She, however, is impressed and inspired by Vishwambhar’s resolve to fight for the country’s independence and decides to join him. Vishwambhar understands that Rupmani is taking an impulsive decision and requests her to stay behind. Rupmani later decides to dedicate her life to the freedom movement and rejects Anand’s self-serving worldview.
Would it be too terrible to say that I understand Anand’s perspective? Isn’t it better to get your own house in order before attempting to correct the world? I cannot say in which direction I would’ve swayed. But it is an interesting question.
Explores envy.
Roop Kumari and Ram Dulari are two sisters who meet after a couple of years. In this intervening time, while Roop Kumari struggled to meet her family’s monthly expenses, Ram Dulari has transformed into a prosperous lady who is adorned with costly clothes and expensive jewelry. Roop Kumari gets envious as her sister boasts about her husband, Guru Sevak, earning handsomely from his job as a company agent. In typical Indian fashion, when they discuss their husbands’ salaries, Roop Kumari is ashamed at the pittance her husband, Umakanth, earns from his humble clerk job. Harrowed and stressed at her family’s financial downfall, Roop Kumari gets frustrated with her husband. However, in a turn of events, Guru Sevak, in a drunken stupor, reveals that all of his wealth has been accumulated through illicit means. This revelation brings Roop Kumari back to her senses, and she is grateful for her husband’s humble yet honest job and prefers it over Guru Sevak’s avarice. She is transformed to the degree that she decides to help her sister Ram Dulari, who might be trapped in a world of moral decay.
This was a pretty basic story, and I find that the writer betrayed the story to preach a message. Do not be mad at me for criticising Premchand 🙈. Just my honest opinion 😇
I understood this story, but could not relate to it.
The story revolves around Amarkant, living in the pre-independence era, who is preparing to visit his wife and in-laws on the occasion of Holi. As Amarkant discusses the importance of giving a suitable gift to his wife on the occasion of Holi with a friend, he decides to buy her an imported saree. This was the time when there was a staunch protest against the buying and selling of imported goods in India. However, Amarkant decides to still buy the imported saree. He is caught red-handed by a group of freedom fighters protesting against imported goods. As they surround him and lecture him, he is saved from their wrath by an unknown protestor woman who has her head covered. The woman scolds the group for harassing citizens and gets him out of the sticky situation. It is later revealed that the woman is none other than Sukhada, Amarkant’s wife. Amarkant decides to join his wife in the protest and ends up getting arrested. The story concludes with Amarkant’s selfless act and Sukhada beaming with pride over it.
Not my cup of tea. Mostly because I have no idea of how I would act during that time period.
This one hits hard. It revolves around unspoken love.
Amrit and Purnima are childhood friends and neighbors staying in a village. Amrit is secretly in love with Purnima but is never able to confess it to her. To show his affection, Amrit helps Purnima with her daily chores and runs errands for her. But Purnima views this as brotherly care and is oblivious to his feelings. As time passes, Purnima is married off to a wealthy but arrogant man. Amrit, unable to intervene due to societal norms, accepts his fate. Purnima is upset about her marriage and mentions her sadness to Amrit indirectly. Broken-hearted, Amrit decides to move on. Years pass, and then one day, Purnima returns to the village with her child. While Amrit still harbors feelings of affection for Purnima and displays them by taking very good care of her child, she has undergone a significant transformation and has become accustomed to an affluent lifestyle. Amrit becomes attached to Purnima’s kid and is saddened after their departure from the village. Time moves on, and after the death of her husband and mother, Purnima returns to the village. In the hopes of finding a version of Purnima who is more soft-hearted, Amrit is shocked to see an ascetic-like figure who is devoted to the memory of her late husband. In the end, Purnima does mention the affection her child still has for Amrit, and therein lies that lingering unfulfilled connection between them.
It is a crime to summarise such a beautiful story, and yet I have committed it for the sake of remembering it. But, this was an extremely complicated story, which I believe went a little above my head due to my lack of understanding of Hindi literature. Anyway, this was still a great one.
What a tragedy!
The story introduces us to a 17-year-old widow named Gangi. She has been a widow for the past 3 years and has been living a monotonous and lonely life. To repress her sadness, she has dedicated her life to doing household chores and living a colorless life. On the occasion of Holi, while Gangi keeps herself away from the celebrations, a young man named Garib Singh, a resident of the neighbouring village, visits her village and participates in the celebrations. Garib Singh’s melodious voice and gentle nature deeply touch Gangi’s heart. During the celebrations, Gangi and Garib Singh’s eyes meet for a moment, and that leaves a lasting impression on Gangi’s heart. Later in the story, Garib Singh visits Gangi’s house, and she offers him milk. His polite acceptance and humble nature create a space for him in Gangi’s heart. A year later, at the next Holi, as Gangi waits for Garib Singh to show up, she is disappointed when he doesn’t show up. At night, from her terrace, she looks over at the neighbouring village and watches a pyre burning. Initially confused as to why the neighbouring village is conducting the Holi burning ritual a day late, she is horrified to realise that the pyre is not related to any rituals. It is the cremation fire for Garib Singh.
The way the ending comes, you can see it a mile away. However, that does not lessen the impact of this tragedy.
Apparently the story told here was Premchand’s first writeup that he had published on a local level.
Around the age of 13, Premchand was an avid reader of Urdu novels. He used to visit a bookseller in Gorakhpur and had read countless novels, including the translation of the Puranas in Urdu. He loved to read to such an extent that he used to buy study guides from the bookstore and sell them to students just so that he could borrow a few books. After describing his initial love for reading, Premchand shifts the narrative to his middle-aged, unmarried uncle. The uncle was trying to get into an arranged marriage but was failing for some reason or other. And so, he decided to find a lover himself and ended up falling head over heels for a woman from a marginalized community (This particular segment was written in a way only people who have context of the Indian social situation can understand). As the romance buds between the two new lovers, a scandal ensues. The local community is enraged by the uncle’s affair, and they confront him. Upon being unable to explain his position, a mob beats up the uncle. Young Premchand gets to know about this incident and writes it all down in a satirical manner for everyone to read. Humiliated, the uncle leaves the village and takes the script of the story with him.
Man, Premchand really did his uncle dirty 😂 Instead of supporting the poor, beaten-up man, he kicked him in his guts. But this story must have been such a hit on a local level. I kind of understand why he did it. And no, I do not believe that he must have been innocent and just published it due to immarutriy. A man able to publish a satirical story on a scandal is clever enough to realise the implications of his actions.
Explores the importance of having a goal and working towards it.
Vimal Prakash is the founder of a charitable institution (Sevashram) for women. While he is dedicated to his work towards providing education and the upliftment of women, he is also burdened by financial struggles and is finding it difficult to continue his mission. Enter Manjula, a graceful, headstrong, independent woman who is firm in her beliefs and is capable enough to support Vimal in continuing his efforts to keep the institution up and running. Manjula is a married woman who is away from her husband because he is an atheist and mocks her beliefs. There is a weird relation between Vimal and Manjula. Initially, Manjula senses this weirdness and attributes it to Vimal’s stress. Soon enough, Manjula becomes an integral part of the charitable institution and takes on the responsibility of conducting the annual function. Due to the stress and exhaustion of the demanding work, Manjula falls ill. Vimal Prakash blames himself for putting a lot of stress on Manjula. And, while expressing this concern, he indirectly expresses his affection towards her. Vimal Prakash has this image of being a pious, hard-working, charitable person. He feels he has betrayed both his image and the idea of him in Manjula’s mind and decides to stay away from her. Manjula, after getting well, decides to leave the institution, citing the ill-health of her husband. Vimal Prakash accepts her resignation without a word. Years later, on a holiday, Vimal encounters Manjula in Mussoorie, where he finds her with a young male friend. After speaking to her, he realises that Manjula is a widow and is living in debt. Manjula reminds Vimal that the true essence of life is in service, duty, and sacrifice.
The maturity of both characters in this story is so refreshing. None of them is crying over the bad hands that life has dealt them. Rather, these are strong individuals who have accepted their roles in life and are living accordingly.
Premchand gets critical of societal ethics.
An unnamed narrator finds himself in the bazaar one evening and buys half a kilogram of Kashmiri apples that look very tempting. Trusting the vendor, the narrator allows him to wrap up the apples in a handkerchief. When the narrator reaches home and decides to eat the apples, he discovers that all of the apples are rotten or infested by worms. He then laments over the erosion of the integrity of traders and also blames himself for his laziness.
I believe that this must have really happened with Premchand and out of frustration he must have penned it down and criticized both the seller and himself.
Satire at its peak in this collection. Exposes pseudo-intellectuals.
This epistolary story tracks the life of Pandit Moteram, a self-proclaimed scholar who believes that he is immensely respected in society. However, it is his diary that informs us of the reality and Moteram’s delusions. A large, pompous, hypocritical man, Moteram, incessantly brags about his mental prowess, his relations with important people, and his schemes that benefit him. In reality, his thoughts expose him as a glutton, dishonest, and lazy man. The records of his attending important social events by flattering wealthy people and pretending to be virtuous are all a sham for grabbing free meals and virtue signalling.
Premchand shines with his satire and sense of humour in this story.
Discusses the hypocrisy in cultural activities and misuse of power.
Pandit Ghasitelal, on the occasion of Holi, offers the ceremonial drink of bhang to Mr Bull, a magistrate. The magistrate is impressed by the efficacy of the drink and praises it. Ghasitelal, emboldened by this, decides to visit the magistrate’s house. At the magistrate’s house, Ghasitelal is taken aback after finding out that he is being offered alcoholic liquor instead of bhang. Ghasitelal tried to escape the situation, claiming that his religion prohibits him from even touching alcohol. To this, the magistrate claims that it is just an excuse and that the Pandit should get off his high horse, and forces the Pandit, who, under pressure, drinks the alcohol. Overwhelmed and humiliated, Ghasitelal rushes back to his house, having his principles tested and faltering under the pressure of colonial power.
Yet another Premchand story that unfolds on Holi. This one is the third in this collection. I have no idea how many more stories he was written on the occassion of Holi.
A simple story about how the poor are exploited and how even a little act of kindness can mean the world for them.
Alarakhi, a sweeper woman who believes she is a diligent worker, thinks that she is being fined unjustly from her salary. She is convinced that the supervisor, Daroga Khairat Ali Khan, has it out for her and treats her harshly as compared to the other sweepers under his supervision. Every single payday brings her anxiety as Alarakhi is not sure how much of her salary will be deducted. Belonging to a poor family, Alarakhi is unable to leave her daughter behind when she falls sick and brings her to work one day. Venting out her frustration, she starts speaking ill of the supervisor. As fate would have it, the supervisor finds her muttering angrily. Alarakhi gets scared, but the supervisor shows kindness and asks her to go home and get her husband to take care of her work while she takes care of the baby at home. On the next payday, Alarakhi is worried that she will be fired for her words, but she is surprised to get her complete salary without any deductions. Instead of feeling happy, she feels guilty for speaking ill of the supervisor.
Praveen is a dedicated writer who mostly lives a simple life, not out of choice but because of his impoverished financial situation. He begins his day with tea without milk and sugar and focuses on writing what he believes to be his next masterpiece. While Praveen’s wife, Sumitra, is concerned about the financial burdens they are facing, she still encourages Praveen to take a break and relax. However, Praveen views writing to be his utmost priority and the only thing that he wishes to do, discarding all thoughts of comfort and relaxation. While Praveen is humble, he, like many other artists, craves attention. And as it happens, Praveen gets invited to a social event by a wealthy nobleman. Anticipating recognition, he arrives at the event in his tattered clothes, wanting to display his dedication to the art. At the party, he faces subtle condescension from some people and feels let down. When the wealthy nobleman asks him to recite a famous poem, he refuses, saying that he is an original writer and would not be reduced to a mere performer. Humiliated, he leaves the event and returns back to his house, his safe space, where his wife Sumitra awaits him. He decides to be like a diya/lamp that would burn quietly through his craft.
Even back then, people craved attention as much as people now crave clicks. Man, if I had a product integration, I would’ve literally placed its link here →
When an ordinary life with struggles is faced with determination and hope, it can be transformed into an extraordinary experience.
This is a reflective write-up by Premchand, where he mentions that his life is pretty ordinary. Born into a poor family, Premchand’s father was a post office clerk who got him married at the young age of 15. Soon after that, Premchand’s father passed away, leaving an entire family in poverty. Premchand mentions that it was his dream to become a lawyer, but he had to keep that on hold in order to support his family. He worked as a tutor to support himself and barely passed his own matriculation. Premchand was terrible at mathematics, and that stopped him from getting admission into a good college. After being denied a college education, he took up a teaching job and started writing novels around 1901 and short stories around 1907. The short story collection titled “Soje Vatan” was considered to be seditious by the British authorities and led to the confiscation of all the existing copies. After quitting his job in 1921 and following Gandhi’s ideals of engaging in social work, Premchand felt better about his life.
This was a refreshing read for me. It took me some time to completely read and understand the stories, but I loved the process and would continue with it. I would recommend this book to people who want to wet their beaks into the ocean of Hindi Literature before getting overwhelmed by it.
My final rating: