Indra’s Drishtikona (Viewpoint)

Premchand Remembered

Posted : August 9, 2004 at 5:37 am [IST]

Last week, it was the 125th birth anniversary of Munshi Premchand. Almost all TV news channels covered the news. Some also showed the pathetic condition of Premchand house at his birth place Lamahi, near Baranasi in UP. I feel, Munshi Premchand - the greatest story teller that the whole of Hindi region has produced has been forgotten by Hindi region itself. It is not strange for a nation that can forget its father of nation so easily.

I did not hear or read about any special issue of even Hindi magazines on Premchand’s 125th anniversary. The anniversary news was also not covered in English newspapers and magazines

It is surprising that even Rajendra Yadav ‘Hans’, the monthly did not come out with a special issue. I remember his birth centenary was celebrated in Soviet Union before it was done in India. For reasons unknown, I remember the Marxist trade unions in Hindustan Motors had a big celebration and conference on that occasion. I was impressed and surprised, but very happy to know about it. It changed my relation with the union activists for better that was very sour before that.

Some of the masterpieces of Premchand’s short stories have been made into full length film. I remember three- Heera Moti (Do bailon ki katha), Sadgati and Satranj ke Khilari. The last was directed by the famous Satyajit Roy. Out of his novels, Gaban and Godan have been made into films. Nirmala came in serials on small screen and was a nicely done serial.

Gulzar is making a tele-serial Tehreer for DD. The series will feature Goddan and Nirmala as full-length feature films, while some other stories will come in single-episode presentations. It will be a great contribution by Gulzar and a right tribute to the great story-teller. I wish Gulzar’s mission is backed up with more and more directors coming forward to do serial based on the famous short stories and novels of other distinguished writers of Hindi and other Indian languages. Bangla writers have been luckier in this respect. I don’t know about the fate of the writers of other Indian languages.

Our HRD ministry could have done some more to celebrate the 125th anniversary of Premchand instead of putting its total energy on its political priorities.

I inherited the liking of Premchand from my grandfather who was a great fan of Premchand. i can never forget his short story ‘Kafan’. I wish some day someone may makes a film based on that story.

- Indra

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