Munshi Premchand facts for kids
Munshi Premchand (31 July 1880 – 8 October 1936) was a famous writer from India. He wrote many stories and novels in Hindi and Urdu languages. He is known as one of the most important writers in modern Indian literature.
Contents
About Premchand's Life
Premchand's real name was Dhanpat Rai Srivastava. He was born on July 31, 1880, in a village called Lamahi, near Varanasi, India. His father worked as a clerk in the post office.
Early Life and Challenges
Premchand faced many difficulties when he was young. His mother passed away when he was only seven years old. His father died when Premchand was fourteen and still a student. This meant Premchand had to take care of his stepmother and her children.
He was very poor during his early life. To earn money, he tutored a lawyer's child for five rupees a month. He got married at age fifteen, but that marriage did not work out. Later, he married Shivrani Devi, who was a child widow. She was a great support to him throughout his life. They had several children together.
Education and Career
Premchand worked hard to pass his high school exam in 1898. In 1899, he started working as a school teacher, earning eighteen rupees a month. He continued his studies and earned his B.A. degree in 1919, studying English, Persian, and History. Later, he also worked as a deputy sub-inspector of schools.
Financial Struggles and Philosophy
Life was always a financial struggle for Premchand. Once, he borrowed two-and-a-half rupees to buy clothes and it took him three years to pay it back.
Someone once asked him why he never wrote about himself. He replied, "I don't have anything special to tell. I live like millions of other people in this country. I am just an ordinary, poor school teacher with family problems. I have spent my whole life trying to escape my troubles, but I haven't been able to. What is so special about this life that needs to be told?"
Later Years and Legacy
In his last years, Premchand became very ill. The money his wife gave him for treatment was often used to run his printing press, "The Saraswati." He was also writing a book called "Mangalsutra," which he could not finish. These challenges seriously affected his health. He passed away early, on October 8, 1936, at the age of 56.
Premchand's Writing Style
Premchand's stories are known for being very interesting and easy to read. He used simple language that everyone could understand. His novels often showed the problems faced by poor farmers in villages. He avoided using very complex Hindi words, which was common for other writers at the time.
Premchand wrote about 300 short stories, many novels, essays, and letters. He also wrote some plays and translated other works. Many of his stories have been translated into English and Russian.
Famous Novels
Godaan (The Gift of a Cow) is considered his best novel. It tells the story of Hori, a poor farmer who really wants a cow. A cow was a sign of wealth and respect in Indian villages. Hori finally gets a cow, but it costs him his life. After he dies, the village priests ask his widow for a cow to bring peace to his soul.
In Kafan (Shroud), a poor man collects money for his dead wife's funeral. But instead of using it for the funeral, he spends it on food and drinks.
Well-Known Stories
- Panch Parameshvar (God lives in the Panchayat)
- Idgah (The Gift on Eid)
- Nashaa
- Shatranj ke khiladi (The chess players)
- Poos ki raat (Winter's Night)
- Atmaram
- Boodhi Kaki (The Old Aunt)
- Bade Bhaisahab (The elder brother)
- Bade ghar ki beti (The girl of a rich family)
- Kafan (Shroud)
- Dikri Ke Rupai
- Udhar Ki Ghadi (The watch lent)
- Panch Phool (The five flowers)
- Prem Purnima (The Full moon of Love)
- Ram Katha (The story of Ram)
- Pariksha (Examination)
- Gora (Fair)
Other Novels
- Gaban (Speed)
- Sevasadan (The Workplace)
- Godaan
- Karmabhoomi (The Land of Work)
- Kaayakalp
- Manorma (Beautiful)
- Mangalsutra (The Necklace that marks our Wedding)
- Nirmala
- Pratigya (Oath)
- Premashram (The Temple of Love)
- Rangbhoomi (The Land of Colours)
- Vardaan (Blessing)
- Mera Khoon (My Blood)
Plays Written by Premchand
- Karbala
- Prem ki vedi
Films Based on Premchand's Works
Many of Premchand's stories and novels have been made into films and TV shows. The famous director Satyajit Ray made two films based on Premchand's writings: Sadgati and Shatranj Ke Khiladi.
- Sadgati (Salvation) is a short story about a poor man named Dukhi. He works so hard chopping wood for almost nothing that he becomes completely exhausted and dies.
- Shatranj Ke Khiladi (The Chess Players) tells the story of two chess players. They are so focused on their game that they forget their duties during a big crisis.
List of Films and TV Series
- Sadgati (1981) (TV movie)
- Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977)
- Godhuli (1977)
- Oka Oori Katha (1977)
- Gaban (1966)
- Godaan (1963)
- Seva Sadan (1938) (based on the novel Bazaar-e-Husn)
- Mazdoor (1934)
- Nirmala (TV Series, 1980s)
Images for kids
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Munshi Premchand Memorial Gate, Lamhi, Varanasi
See also
In Spanish: Premchand para niños
