One of the most renowned Hindi writers of all time, his literary works have been instrumental in capturing the essence of rural Indian realities. Through his stories, he effectively advocated for social reforms, tackling topics that were often considered taboo in Indian society. A remarkable aspect of his life was his marriage to Shivarani Devi, a child widow, at a time when widow remarriage was viewed as a moral transgression.
His literary endeavors were not limited to storytelling alone; he also penned numerous novels that vocally supported social reforms. Initially, he took up a government job as a school teacher to support his family, but in 1921, he resigned to answer Gandhi's call to action. His contributions to the Indian freedom movement were significant, with his writings playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
The author's pseudonym, "Premchand," was adopted after the British government banned his book "Soje Vathan" and burned all copies. His characters were always ordinary people, and when asked why he didn't write about himself, he humbly replied that he had no extraordinary life story to share. He was a poor school teacher, struggling to make ends meet, and his life was marked by hardship and suffering.
Despite his unassuming demeanor, Premchand's greatness lies in his unwavering commitment to his craft and his unrelenting pursuit of social justice. His remarkable life serves as a testament to the power of literature in shaping societal norms and promoting positive change.
