A nuanced mockery of institution of marriage. Review on Nirmala - Premchand

One of my friend bought this book called Nirmala - known to be a classic by the well known Hindi novelist and writer, Premchand - and so, through him, I came to read this book.

Premchand is known to write about the life of common man and this book also deals with an issue that has been faced by many. Unlike all other works of Premchand which were mainly focused on farmers or poor people, Nirmala is more of women centric and thus does not touches those areas. Premchand has thrown light on the status of Indian women and how they are treated. The situation has not changed much even now. Metropolitan’s might be exceptions but, in the interior of the country, in those villages, were the majority of Indians are supposed to be residing, situation is the same. From the very moment she is born, the burden of family and its respect falls on her shoulder and she had to sacrifice and compromise all through her life just to keep her family’s pride and honor.

A round of applause for Premchand who even after being a male wrote the feelings a women could and would have in the situation similar to that of Nirmala.

Nirmala is the name of the central character of the novel. The book describes the tragic story of her life. Through Nirmala Premchand has tried to depict the problems associated with the multiple marriages and how a step mother is being blamed for all the wrong things that happens and thus ultimately lead to the destruction of a healthy rich family.

The Story:

Nirmala’s marriage was about to happen to a doctor in a rich Brahmin family but because of the death of her father, a financial burden starts looming over the Nirmala’s family. Thus, paying the dowry becomes a concern. Her marriage then happens to a widower, Munshi Totaram in his forty’s who brings Nirmala home in order to fill his first wife’s place. He has 3 sons and one sister living with him. He is a lawyer and is rich and respected in the society. By marrying, he hopes that his children would get the love of a mother and there would be someone to take care of his house too. His lost hopes to live comes alive.

But Nirmala could not find her dream man in him as he was too old for her. Even then, she faked happiness in front of him.

Soon suspecting the beauty of Nirmala, her husband starts doubting the relationship between his eldest son and Nirmala and so sends him to hostel.

All three children regret this, especially the eldest one. His health soon deteriorates in the hostel. A   catastrophes strikes the house of Nirmala. She was now blamed for all that happened and the situation goes on to become from bad to worse. The story wonderfully depicts that how everybody get caught in the situation even though it is no one’s fault.

My Views:

The story is very dull and depressing and is not at all entertaining. So those suspense , romance and adventure lovers, this book is not meant for you.

Even I was bored reading it and took almost 3 months to complete the book. Oh sorry, 6 months actually. I was just not ready to give up as I don’t like to leave things in between.

Nothing much exciting ever happens in the novel. It is only in the later part of novel that some interest started developing within me as the novel picks up the pace and thus helped me complete it.

Well, some books are just not made for entertainment. Nirmala is one of them.

Readability:

Premchand’s writing is very simple and straight forward. He does not tries to use over the top Hindi and difficult words. Since he was an Urdu writer in his earlier times, he has also used many Urdu words. The book can be read and understood by any tom, dick and harry but completing it is not a cup of tea of everybody. It is not that long(approximately 200 pages) but its dull plot makes it appear like a thousand. The book is divided into 27 chapters.

An English version of the novel is also available and I have read it too. The translation manages to keep the feel and readability similar to that of Hindi version but the original Hindi novel is the best!

Some quotes from the English translation of Nirmala that I would like to share -

"A grandee who rides a horse would never like to ride a mule, even though he might then have to go on foot. Nirmala’s condition was somewhat like that horse rider."

"Great noble resolutions are born in fury. On one hand, Nirmala was becoming frail due to fear and on the other hand, there was the glow on her face accompanying the firm, unshakeable decision in her mind."

"When some great trouble befalls us, we have to deal not only with our own sorrow, but also have to bear the taunts of others."

Inference:

In short, Nirmala is a dull and depressing tale of a women through whom Premchand tries to present a nuanced mockery of the institution of marriage and that of patriarchal society with a high degree of reformist outline. For the lovers of Indian culture and history of women’s right, it would be a nice read.