Why India must not forget Premchand's stories about communalism and caste system
Today happens to be the 137th birthday of literary giant Munshi Premchand. Born in 1880 in a village in Varanasi, he stands as one of the tallest literary figures India has been proud of. He died in 1936.
Even eight decades after his demise, he lives on in the minds and hearts of millions of Indians, as his writings touched the common man, the underprivileged and the poor.
Today Premchand appears much more relevant as the country is threatened with communal hatred, caste divisions and parochialism. His plethora of writings certainly deserve a closer look, specially when the country is fraught with multiple social problems.
Let's take his popular work Idgah. It touches the hearts of small children, so vividly described. The boys' visit to the Idgah to offer namaz is described such that the reader moves with Premchand and the whole scene comes alive in front of the eyes.
The noteworthy part is also the description of the Idgah, including its physical features. Premchand, catching the imagination of the readers, describes the place of worship aptly. The dense groves of tamarind trees and the surroundings are so animated. Equally significant is the way he praises the orderly manner in which Eid prayers are conducted. He says the way hundreds of heads move in sync while offering namaz is praiseworthy and describes it “as if hundreds of lights are lit and put off in perfect harmony”.
Written in the early part of the 20th century, Munshi conveys a message of communal harmony through the renowned work.
It's important that students and youth read his work and enact plays to contain the spread of communal poison. This will help keep alive Premchand's message of harmony, and this holds good for his other works as well.
Another worth reading work of Premchand is Juloos (procession). It is a story set against the backdrop of the freedom movement, sending the strong message that during the independence struggle, India’s minorities made a lot of sacrifices and the whole nation was in unity to oust the British, following the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.
The story revolves around a Gandhian - Ibrahim, a Muslim character, who is a victim of a brutal lathi-charge. His eventual death unites the freedom fighters and Hindus and Muslims as one. The police, under British rule with blind allegiance towards the latter, are also shown to be influenced by Ibrahim and his death.
It's the power of the pen of Premchand that weaves the story so appealingly that it is relevant even today, especially when communal forces are threatening the unity of India and parochialism is notoriously trying to gain an upper hand.
One wonders if these stories, particularly dealing with social issues, find mention in school textbooks or curriculum. They merit to be told and retold to refresh the contribution of all in our independence movement.
It's possible that Premchand didn't use these characters by design. It might have come naturally to him, yet the message is loud and clear.
Communal aspects apart, he effectively dealt with caste-related concerns too, coming down heavily with his pen on the oppressors belonging to the upper castes. He ridiculed them with great literary subtlety and even faced legal cases after incurring the wrath of the rich and upper castes - as in the case of Motey Ram Shashtri.
Espousing the cause of the down-trodden and the poor was his hallmark as amply demonstrated in works such as Godan, Burhi kaki, Thakur ka kuan, Poos ki Raat and innumerable others which still resonate the same social evils that still afflict our society. His abhorrence to abuse of alcohol is duly reflected in Kafan and other works.
Some figures, literary, political or cultural, remain pertinent forever. Premchand stands tallest in this category. His works and contribution towards an egalitarian society, rising above the caste and communal divide, remains alive 81 years after he breathed his last.
Last but not the least, as a very progressive writer with long-term vision, Premchand's crusade for women's rights, voice against dowry and for widow remarriage remains embedded in society, reminding us time and again to get rid of social evils.
He was not a Ram Mohan Roy or an Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Yet, he is one of the makers of modern India because of his tirade against the ills of society. We must also remember Premchand lived for only 56 years and achieving so much in the short span through his pen. This is no mean achievement.
It will be a fitting tribute to this literary icon on his 137th birthday if we imbibe his message in letter and spirit.