TLI Staff
New Delhi: Hindi Diwas is celebrated on September 14 annually to raise awareness about the language. On this day Hindi was adopted as one of the official languages of India. Hindi Diwas is celebrated with much enthusiasm in schools, colleges and other institutions.
On this occasion, we suggest reading you these 5 gems from Hindi literature that continue to be relevant till date.
1. NIRMALA
Penned by Munshi Premchand, the novel revolved around 15-year-old Nirmala who was married off to 35-year-old Totaram, father of three sons and a widower. While Nirmala could never fall in love with Totaram because of their age difference, she was dutiful and loyal to him. Totaram who was initially besotted with Nirmala starts suspecting his wife of having affair with his eldest son Mansaram and sends him off to a hostel. Mansaram caught tuberculosis infection while being in the hostel and eventually dies after which Totaram realizes his mistake. Like many of Premchand’s works, the story too has a tragic ending with Nirmala dying in the end and Totaram and his sister Rukmini repenting their mistakes and suspicion regarding Nirmala.
2. GUNAHON KA DEVTA
The popular novel authored by acclaimed writer Dharamveer Bharti was published in 1949 and set in Allahabad during the British rule. The book is so popular and relevant till date that it was translated by Hindustan Times journalist Poonam Saxena as Chander and Sudha in 2015 and opened to rave reviews. The story revolves around Chander and Sudha who are not able to express love for each other due to circumstances and societal norms. Chander is an orphan and sees a father figure in Dr Shukla. He is extremely close to Sudha and their bond deepens with time but they cannot acknowledge their love for each other. Chander is from a lower caste and he fears asking Sudha’s hand for marriage from her father, while the latter too is in love with Chander but on his persuasion agrees to marry the boy her father has chosen for her. This ruins the lives of both Chander and Sudha who continue to pine for each other.
3. RET SAMADHI
It is the story of an 80-year-old woman who turns a new lease of life after battling depression post her husband’s demise. The novel is about three generations of women and the men around them, in a North Indian middle-class family. Penned by Geeta Shree in Hindi, the English translation of the book by Daisy Rockwell titled Tomb of Sand won International Booker Prize recently, making it the first Hindi language book ever to win the prestigious prize.
4. RAAG DARBARI
Written by Sri Lal Sukla and published in 1963, Rag Darbari still resonates with contemporary politics. The book also won Sukla the Sahitya Akademi Award for the year. The novel is set in the post-Independence Indian society and exposes the helplessness of intellectuals in the face of a strong and corrupt nexus between criminals, businessmen, police and politicians. The novel revolves around Ranganath, a research student who comes to stay with his uncle Vaidyaji in the village of Shivpalganj, UP.
5. ASADH KA EK DIN
A play penned by popular playwright Mohan Rakesh, Asadh Ka Ek Din debuted in year 1958 and received much acclaim. It was the first significant modern-day Hindi play that was even adapted for silver screen. The title is inspired by the second verse of the Sanskrit dramatist Kalidas’s play Meghaduta.