1 minute read
The voice of rural India
from 2009-12 Sydney (1)
by Indian Link
Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’ (March 4, 1921 – April 11, 1977) was one of the most successful and influential writers of modern Hindi literature in the postPremchand era. His 1954 book Maila Anchal is regarded as the most significant Hindi novel after Premchand’s Godaan
He was honoured with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India for this novel. This novel mainly depicts the contemporary social life of the people who are poor and backward. It is considered to be one of the finest novels ever written in Hindi literature. It depicts the landscape of Bihar, the division of society on the basis of caste, Indian struggle of independence, and the true face of rural India. It ushered in a new era in Hindi literature by radically changing the structure and narrative style of writing.
Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’ is most known for promoting the voice of the contemporary rural India through the genre of Aanchalik Upanyas (Regional Story), and is placed amongst the pioneering Hindi writers who brought regional voices into the mainstream Hindi literature.
Renu’s writings had an intimate feeling with the reader, which he developed by using the local flavour of the language instead of Khari Boli
His short story Maare Gaye Gulfam was adapted into a film Teesri Kasam by Basu Bhattacharya (produced by the poet-lyricist Shailendra) in 1966 for which he also wrote the dialogues. Later his short story Panchlight (Petromax) was made into a TV short film. Other books written by him include Parti Parikatha, Juloos, Deerghtapa, Kitne Chaurahe and Paltu Babu Road.
US about Indian village life.
“I am working on the syllabus of a new course - Indian village life - in the department of Asian Studies in the University of Texas,” he said. Woolford, however, felt that poverty in rural India is a matter of concern.
“Poverty and the lack of education sadden me. Things have changed in Renu’s village in the last two decades. Now girls are joining schools, awareness has increased about health and sanitation,” he said.
Imran Khan
