Classic Story of Love. Review on Mrinalini - Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

Mrinalini by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay was a top novelist, writer, poet of Indian Literature and of Bangla. Bengali and Hindi literature had become rich in his era. The popularity of his novels can be seen by us when his novels were translated in many languages since 150 years. The inner anguish of woman was expressed in most effectively manner in the novel of Late Bankim Sir. The dignity of woman received new identity and new vision to understand the Indian history in his novels. Late Bankim Sir was proficient in writing of historical fiction. Late Bankim Sir was considered as Alexander Dumas of India.

Mrinalini is a third novel of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. This Novel is based on the Love and Romance. The popularity of this novel made Late Bankim Sir famous to write Love and Romance based novels.

“Mrinalini” is a story of a girl named “Mrinalini” who is in love with prince of Magadh, Hemchandra. Magadh was taken over by the Yavans. That time Hemchandra was with Mrinalini. Hemchandra Teacher Madhvacharya told to Hemchandra to free Magadh from Yavans as he was last ruler of Magadh. Hemchandra takes the steps towards the war preparation with Yavans. Meanwhile Madhvacharya crookedly send Mrinalini to Country Gaud. Hemchandra does not maintain his pace in work due to memories of Mrinalini. The memories of Mrinalini tormenting him again and again. Hemchandra got angry when Madhvacharya denied giving the address of Mrinalini. In anger Hemchandra took out his swords to attack on Madhvacharya. Hemchandra gave his words to Madhvacharya that he will work to free the country but after the information of Mrinalini. Madhvacharya told him the address.

Mrinalini was living the house of businessmen Hrshikesh in Gaud. Hemchandra reached to “Gaud” and send the msg. to Mrinalini with the help of a street singer “Girijaya”. Mrinalini asked to meet with Hemchandra. Girijaya fixed the time and place for meeting for both in night. Mrinalini reached on time at the place where Girijaya told her that Madhvacharya took Hemchandra away to Navdwip. When Mrinalini returned to Hrshikesh house, vyomkesh, son of Hrshikesh used force to catch her. But soon Girijaya helped her by cutting Vyomkesh through her teeth. Vyomkesh left Mrinalini and cried and family gets up. Vyomkesh accused her for going out and to meet with unknown male. Hrshikesh kicked out Mrinalini from his house.

Mrinalini and Girijaya reached to Navdwip to search Hemchandra. Girijaya found Hemchandra and told him to meet Mrinalini. But soon Madhvacharya told everything to Hemchandra about the event happened in Hrshikesh house. After listening that Mrinalini is a disloyal and had affair with other persons, he exploded in anger and takes an oath to kill Mrinalini. Next day Girijaya tried to understand him about Mrinalini and he also understood it. Hemchandra meets Mrinalini and after some conversation asked for the event happened in Hrshikesh house. Mrinalini told him the story but before hearing the whole context Hemchandra left her in anger. Mrinalini sent a letter to Hemchandra but due to ego and arrogance, Hemchandra destroyed the letter.

At the same moment, Yavans attacked on Navdwip. Yavans were looting, robbing and destroying Navdwip. Hemchandra not able to see this horrifying destruction of Navdwip. He stepped in to protect the civilian of Navdwip. During this work he came in contact of vyomkesh who told him that how he cheated to Mrinalini. Hemchandra leaved all works and rushed towards to meet Mrinalini and apologized to her. Then Hemchandra told to Madhvacharya that they already married in Mathura. Now they are one and will live life happily. Madhvacharya blessed them also.

There are many characters in story but Hemchandra and Mrinalini characters are important. The story is totally dependent on Hemchandra and Mrinalini character. You will find love, patience, sacrifice, truth, lies, conspiracy, politics and war in this story. As it is a romantic novel, so why, I portrayed only the story of Hemchandra and Mrinalini. The character of Girijaya is also strong and very interesting. Late Bankim Sir wrote many songs in this novel. The character of Madhvacharya is also strong and he did his best work as Teacher and guide of Hemchandra. Late Bankim Sir presented the all characters in detailed and strongly manner. Late Bankim Sir presented this story very well and narrated the every event like it is real. Late Bankim Sir had shown us the destruction of Navdwip by Yavans in very efficient way. He just lighted the horrified scene of wars. We can see the atrocities of Yavans in 2-3 main contexts.

We can see the pain of separation of Hemchandra and Mrinalini in many contexts. I think, it is a story of two lovers hoping to be union. When Hemchandra got chance to meet Mrinalini, he does not able to meet her because duty for country comes in front of him. Late Bankim Sir explained the meaning of love very beautifully and simply in this novel.

In this novel, we came across some situation where distance and soured comes in love. Hemchandra always distrust on Mrinalini, while Mrinalini always did trust on him. Late Bankim Sir tried to do his best to form a best romantic story and he did it in first creation. Either you are in love or not but read it. This is a masterpiece of history. The command of Late Bankim Sir on woman character can’t be stated in words. He was the master of this type of creation.

Regards

Rajeev Roshan