Premchand

Munshi Premchand

The legacy of Premchand, one of the most influential figures in Hindi-Urdu literature, remains deeply intertwined with the socio-political and cultural fabric of India. Born as DhanpatRai Srivastava in the late 19th century, he adopted the pen name 'Premchand' and went on to reshape modern Indian literature. His works reflect a profound understanding of the human condition, and through his poignant storytelling, he illuminated the struggles of the common people. Having recently read Premchand: A Literary Biography by Madan Gopal, I found myself engrossed in the remarkable journey of this literary giant—from his humble beginnings in Lamhi village to his transformative impact on literature and society.

Premchand was born on 31 July 1880 in Lamhi, a small village near Banaras in Uttar Pradesh. He belonged to the Kayastha caste, traditionally associated with scribes and clerical work. His father, Ajaib Lal, worked as a post office clerk, while his mother, Anandi Devi, was a homemaker. Despite the modest means of his family, the intellectual environment of the Kayastha community likely influenced his later literary pursuits. The rural backdrop of Lamhi and the economic hardships he faced as a child found their way into the vivid realism that defines his writing. The values and struggles of rural life were not just formative experiences but also enduring themes in his stories and novels.

Premchand's childhood was marked by emotional and financial turmoil. He lost his mother at the tender age of eight, an event that left a profound emotional scar. His father remarried, but Premchand's relationship with his stepmother was strained. One particularly influential aspect of his early years was his exposure to oral storytelling traditions. As recounted in Madan Gopal's biography, he was captivated by the tales of wandering storytellers who would narrate adventurous and moralistic stories. This early immersion in storytelling ignited his imagination and laid the foundation for his future as a writer. Despite familial hardships, he found solace in books, developing an early passion for literature.

At the age of 15, Premchand was married in an arranged union. However, the marriage proved to be deeply unhappy, a reality that he later reflected on with regret. Around the same time, his academic journey continued despite financial difficulties. He walked several miles to attend school in Gorakhpur and eventually completed his education with a degree in English, Persian, and Philosophy. His resilience during these years highlights his dedication to intellectual growth, even in the face of adversity. It was during this period that he began to experiment with writing, drawing from his rural upbringing and the socio-economic realities he observed around him.

Premchand started his professional career as a schoolteacher, a role that provided him with financial stability and the opportunity to engage with young minds. His deep empathy for the plight of the poor and marginalized was reflected in the classroom and soon found expression in his writings. In 1905, he was appointed as a Sub-Deputy Inspector of Schools, a prestigious position that allowed him to travel extensively and observe the conditions of rural India firsthand. These experiences enriched his literary voice, allowing him to portray the complexities of rural life with authenticity. Throughout his teaching career, he continued to write prolifically under the pen name 'Nawab Rai.'

After the dissolution of his first marriage, Premchand remarried a woman named Shivrani Devi, who was progressive in her outlook and supportive of his literary ambitions. Their marriage, though unconventional for the time, proved to be a source of emotional and intellectual companionship. Shivrani Devi herself became a writer later in life and documented their shared experiences. This second marriage marked a turning point for Premchand, freeing him from the constraints of his earlier, unhappy union and providing him with a nurturing environment to continue his literary pursuits.

Premchand and his Second wife Shivrani Devi

During his early career, Premchand contributed to 'Zamana,' a leading Urdu literary magazine that became a platform for his social and political critiques. His first major work, Soz-e-Watan (The Dirge of the Nation), published in 1909 under the pen name 'Nawab Rai,' was a collection of patriotic stories that drew the ire of the British authorities. The colonial government viewed these stories as seditious, leading to the book's ban and a police interrogation. This encounter marked a significant shift in his identity as a writer. He abandoned 'Nawab Rai' in favour of the name 'Premchand,' under which he would go on to achieve literary immortality.

The 'Zamana'

The turning point in Premchand's professional life came in 1920 after hearing a speech by Mahatma Gandhi urging Indians to resign from government positions as an act of non-cooperation against British rule. Inspired by Gandhi's call, Premchand resigned from his post as an Inspector of Schools despite the financial insecurity it entailed. This act of defiance underscored his commitment to social justice and artistic freedom. He dedicated himself entirely to writing, believing that literature could be a powerful vehicle for social change.

After leaving his government post, Premchand established the Saraswati Press in Banaras, a bold attempt to sustain himself through literary work. The press became a hub for progressive literature and published his works alongside those of other emerging writers. Despite facing chronic financial struggles, Premchand remained unwavering in his literary mission. He continued to produce novels, short stories, and essays that highlighted the plight of the downtrodden, caste oppression, and the gender inequalities entrenched in Indian society.

In 1934, Premchand moved to Bombay to write screenplays for the budding Indian film industry. While there, he worked on the film Mazdoor (The Labourer), which depicted the exploitation of industrial workers. Ironically, the film's release inspired labourers at his own Saraswati Press to go on strike, a development that further exacerbated his financial woes. Despite these hardships, his time in Bombay allowed him to explore new narrative forms, although he soon returned to Banaras, disillusioned by the commercialism of the film industry.

'Mazdoor'

Premchand's final years were marked by declining health and financial difficulties. Nevertheless, he continued to write with unyielding determination. His last novel, Godaan (The Gift of a Cow), published in 1936, is considered his magnum opus and a masterpiece of Hindi literature. It poignantly captures the life of rural peasants and the systemic injustices they face. On 8 October 1936, Premchand passed away at the age of 56, leaving behind a literary legacy that continues to shape Indian literature to this day.

Premchand's influence on Indian literature is immeasurable. His works broke away from the romanticism of earlier Indian writing, ushering in a new era of literary realism. He brought the lives of ordinary people into the literary mainstream, portraying their struggles with dignity and empathy. His commitment to social justice, his critique of colonialism, and his exploration of human relationships resonate across generations. Writers in both Hindi and Urdu continue to draw inspiration from his narrative style and thematic concerns.

Premchand was a literary revolutionary who used his pen to challenge the status quo. His life, marked by personal hardships and unwavering dedication to social justice, is a testament to the power of literature as a tool for change. Through his stories, he gave voice to the voiceless and painted a vivid portrait of an India in transition. His legacy endures not only in the pages of his novels and stories but also in the collective consciousness of a nation still grappling with the themes he so eloquently articulated. Reading Madan Gopal's biography deepened my appreciation for Premchand's profound contribution to literature and his unyielding belief in the transformative power of the written word.