Munshi Premchand-pen name of Dhanpat Rai Srivastava born in Lamhi Village, near Banaras on August 31 July, 1880, died at Banaras on October 8, 1936. Mother died when he was 7 and father died when he was 15 years old. First wife, married when he was 13, left him in 1904 and he remarried a child widow. Became a teacher in 1899 and served in Education department. U.P. till 1921, when he resigned his post to support Gandhiji's non co-operation movement worked as editor of "Maryada" and "Madhuri" and started "Jagaran" and "Hans" from self established Saraswati Press Literary life began in 1901: articles in the Zamana, first short story in 1907, left over 220 stories on his death. First novel in 1901 but that which stamped him as a writer of marked ability was "Sevasadan", or Bazaar-a-Husn (1914). followed in rapid succession by "Premasharam", "Nirmala", "Rangbhumi," "Ghaban", "Godan" 1936, He joined a film company as a scenario writer in 1934 but gave it up in disgust.When asked why he does not write anything about himself, he answered: "What greatness do I have that I have to tell anyone about? I live just like millions of people in this country; I am ordinary. During my whole lifetime, I have been grinding away with the hope that I could become free of my sufferings. But I have not been able to free myself from suffering. What is so special about this life that needs to be told to anybody?".

It is an attainment for the Hindi Literature that at the very initial times of its journey, it got a deft painter of human mind like Munshi Premchand. As a story writer Munshi Premchand had become a legend in his own life time. The themes of his stories are rooted to the rural life with urban social life appearing as the contrast to illustrate a complete picture of contemporary life. They also effected the foundation of a new philanthropic heritage of welfare of society. His distinctive style and content are deeply steeped in the hardcore of reality. In view of variety of topics, he, as though, has encompassed the entire sky of humane world into his fold, and are generally based upon some inspiration or experience. Each of Munshi Premchand’s stories unravels many sides of human mind, streaks of human’s conscience, the evils in some societal practices and heterogeneous angles of economic tortures. His stories are the strongest assets of our literature, thus are still relevant today, as much as they were five decades ago. His stories have been translated in almost all the languages of India and world.

Munshi Premchand, widely lauded as the greatest Hindi fiction writer of the twentieth century, wrote close to 300 short stories over the course of a prolific career spanning three decades. His range and diversity were limitless as he tackled themes of romance and satire, gender politics and social inequality, with unmatched skill and compassion. By turns poignant, acerbic, comical and tragic, many of his stories powerfully invoke the countryside-its pastoral simplicity as well as its harsh realities-while others capture the hopes and anxieties that accompany life in a teeming city where the underdog and the exploiter are caught in an age-old conflict. For the first time ever, Penguin Classics brings together Premchand's entire short-fiction oeuvre for the delight of the English-speaking world. Along with M. Asaduddin's illuminating Introduction, this pathbreaking anthology features several stories not hitherto available either in Hindi or Urdu. Also included are comprehensive notes that provide the publication history of each story-highlighting the differences, sometimes significant and radical, between the Hindi and the Urdu versions of the same story-as well as a definitive chronology, making this a truly singular collection.

As a story-writer Premchand had become a legend in his own lifetime. The firmament of Premchand's stories is vast. In view of variety of topics, he, as though, had encompassed the entire sky of humane world into his fold. Each of Premchandji's stories unravels many sides of human mind, many streaks of man's conscience, the evils in some societal practices and heterogeneous angles of economic tortures. All this is done with complete artistry. His stories stir the readers' mind even today by means of their variegated layers of thoughts and feelings. They are all the heralds of human glories coming from the pen of a time-tested author. The very intrinsic nature of his stories, their external formats unfold their entire uniqueness and appeal to the reader's mind. Owing to such special features Premchandji's stories arc still relevant today, as much as they were five decades ago. The chief themes of his stories arc rooted to the rural life with city social life appearing as the contrast to illustrate the complete picture of contemporary Indian life. The stories of Munshi Premchand, fighting on behalf of the downtrodden of the society, who arc suffering from the social and economic agonies, are the strongest assets of our Literature.

Premchand Is India . . . If You Haven T Read Premchand, You Have Missed Out On A Lot The Hindu Considered One Of The Greatest Fiction Writers In Hindi, Munshi Premchand (1880 1936) Wrote Over Three Hundred Short Stories, A Dozen Novels And Two Plays Over A Prolific Career Spanning Three Decades. Though Best Known For His Stories Exposing The Horrors Of Poverty And Social Injustice, He Wrote On A Variety Of Themes With Equal Facility Romance, Satire, Social Dramas, Nationalist Tales, And Yarns Steeped In Folklore. The Co-Wife And Other Stories Brings Together Twenty Classic Tales Of Premchand Which Provide A Glimpse Of The Author S Extraordinary Range And Diversity. While Some Cast A Harrowing Look At Poverty, Reflecting Premchand S Sympathy With The Underdog, Others Expose Human Foibles Without Being Judgmental And Tackle Gender Politics In A Humorous And Ironic Manner. This Collection Also Includes An Imaginative Foray Into Historical Fiction, A Nostalgic Look At Childhood, A Comic Exploration Of The Theme Of Women S Autonomy, And Stories That Reveal The Writer S Profound Empathy With Animals. Ruth Vanita S Sensitive Translation Captures The Power And Beauty Of Premchand S Language, Conveying The Nuances Of The Original And Bringing To Life The Author S Inherent Humanism.

Discover the timeless brilliance of Premchand's storytelling with "Selected Stories of Premchand" by Purnima Mazumdar. Immerse yourself in a collection of captivating narratives that delve into the complexities of human nature, social injustices, and the triumph of the human spirit. Join Purnima Mazumdar as she curates a selection of Premchand's most powerful and thought-provoking stories, each offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Indian society. From tales of love and loss to poignant reflections on poverty and inequality, Premchand's stories resonate with readers of all generations, offering profound insights into the human condition. As you delve into the pages of "Selected Stories of Premchand," you'll encounter a diverse cast of characters whose struggles and triumphs mirror the joys and sorrows of life itself. From the humble peasant to the ambitious bureaucrat, Premchand's characters come to life with vivid detail and emotional depth, drawing readers into their world with every turn of the page. With its blend of realism, empathy, and social commentary, "Selected Stories of Premchand" serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring relevance of Premchand's work. Mazumdar's careful selection and insightful commentary offer readers a deeper understanding of Premchand's literary legacy and his lasting impact on Indian literature. Since its publication, "Selected Stories of Premchand" has earned widespread acclaim for its faithful representation of Premchand's storytelling genius. Mazumdar's meticulous research and thoughtful analysis provide readers with a comprehensive overview of Premchand's oeuvre, making this collection an indispensable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike. In conclusion, "Selected Stories of Premchand" is more than just a collection of stories—it's a tribute to one of India's greatest literary figures and a celebration of the enduring power of storytelling. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Premchand's work or discovering his stories for the first time, Mazumdar's anthology offers a compelling and immersive reading experience that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Don't miss your chance to experience the brilliance of Premchand's storytelling with "Selected Stories of Premchand" by Purnima Mazumdar. Let his timeless tales transport you to a world of love, laughter, and longing, where the human spirit shines bright even in the darkest of times. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey through the heart and soul of Indian literature.

Godaan is one of the most celebrated novels of Munshi Premchand. Set in pre-independence India, the novel captures social and economic conflict in a north Indian village. The story revolves around Horiram, a poor village farmer, and the struggle of his family to survive and maintain their self-respect. Horiram does everything in his capacity to fulfil his sole desire to own a cow, which is considered a farmer's source of wealth and happiness. One of the classics of Indian literature, the book offers an insight into the colonial history of India, captures the ethnic flavour of the Indian villages and also catches the human emotions in all their rawness.

Story of Hori, a poor peasant who yearns to own a cow and to make the pious Hindu's traditional gift to a Brahmin when he dies. Through Premchand's vivid character portrayals we witness the efforts of Hori's family to survive the conflicts of village politics and the webs spun by colonial landownership patterns. Counterposed to the culture of rural connectedness but also constriction is the isolation but also freedom of the city. Here the rigors of industrialization and empty materialism only can be offset by the promise of Gandhian idealism.