remembering Premchand

July 31 was the birthday of one of the greatest Indian authors Dhanpat Rai, more popularly known as Munshi Premchand. this post is an attempt to compile some web resources about Munshi ji, to serve as an introduction to those who haven't read him before (especially the younger generation), and as a resource to those who would love to remember him more often.

am not writing a detailed introduction here, because one of my favorite bloggers has written this short but beautiful piece on his importance and relevance in our literature and in fact our lives. do read the post, "Premchand is important" here: http://goo.gl/yJh9w

here's a link to his page on wikipedia: http://goo.gl/1m7UE just don't read the story summaries in the end, they'll act as spoilers :)

for majority of his stories and one novel 'nirmala' click here, "Munshi Premchand's creations": http://goo.gl/awf18

and here's a link to download majority of his novels as pdf, "Munshi Premchand collection": http://goo.gl/H3j5f

these links are great resources for new readers though i would really request you to buy a collection of his stories and individual novels as paper books, there are many versions available from a variety of publishers. happy reading!

and in the end, a reminder of what we do to our artists: "Premchand's ancestral home crying for attention" a news report from the Times Of India here: http://goo.gl/ojZTU

hope you found this post engaging. thanks for taking the time.

remembering Virginia

"Then a little before noon, she walked out, taking her hat and her walking stick and her overcoat, in the pocket of which she placed a large stone, and drowned herself in the River Ouse, near their home in Sussex."

(from this http://bit.ly/g9kH0f wonderful tribute at http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/)

it was seventy years ago that she killed herself, unable to continue her struggle with a restricted life. she has left a legacy of unparalleled works, that i feel should be read to understand life that little bit more passionately than we normally do. in her memory today, i'll start reading Mrs. Dalloway. have tried reading it before, but every time i come to the second page, describing the day of June Classisa finds herself in, i put the book down with a sigh.

"life; London; this moment of June."

which work of hers would you recommend most to a friend :)