Maila Aanchal (Hindi: मैला आँचल; English: The Soiled Border) is a 1954 Hindi novel written by Phanishwar Nath Renu.[1][2] After Premchand's Godan, 'Maila Anchal' is regarded as the most significant Hindi novel in the Hindi literature tradition.[3][4] It is one of the greatest examples of "Anchalik Upanyas" (regional novel) in Hindi.

Maila Aanchaal
AuthorPhanishwar Nath Renu
Original titleमैला आँचल
(
The Soiled Border)
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Publication date
1954
OCLC38470854
891.433
LC ClassMLCM 91/07119

Significance edit

It was the writer's first novel and immediately established him as a serious writer in Hindi literature. It radically shifted the prevalent narrative styles in Hindi novels and changed the structure of Hindi novels. It has contributed towards the study of Hindi as a language and also constitutes the major curriculum of Hindi course.[5]

Phanishwar Nath Renu was subsequently awarded one of India's fourth highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri.

Contents edit

This social novel details the trials and tribulations of a small group of people in a remote village of North-east Bihar during the Quit India Movement. It also has the reference of a young doctor (dagdar babu) who took care of the masses at that time, which was inspired by Dr. Alakh Niranjan, the first MBBS doctor in the locality.[6] It is a regional novel in true sense as local colour is reflected in it by means of dialect, life style, superstitions and beliefs, festivals and culture of the rural people. The characters are fit to the region and they are guided by the regional characteristics . The region becomes to be a living character and plays a great role in leading the characters to the catastrophe .

Adaptation edit

Maila Aanchal, a television adaptation of the novel aired on DD National, the Indian national public broadcaster, during the 1990s.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ University of Delhi (2005). Indian Literature: An Introduction. Pearson Education India. pp. 194–. ISBN 978-81-317-0520-9.
  2. ^ Phanishwar Nath Renu
  3. ^ Rajendra Awasthi. Selected Hindi Short Stories. Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. pp. 195–. ISBN 978-81-288-0287-4.
  4. ^ renu at seasoninindia
  5. ^ Phanishwar Nath Renu
  6. ^ Maila Aanchal Literary Review
  7. ^ "Original copy of "Maila Aanchal" authored by Phanishwar Nath 'Renu' stolen". United News of India. 30 September 2020.

External links edit