A STUDY OF INDIAN ETHOS IN MUNSHI PREMCHAND’S ‘THE HOLY PANCHYAT’
Dr. Swati Chandorkar
HOD Department of English, Swami Vivekanand Govt. P. G. College, Narsinghpur, Madhya Pradesh
Smt. Shashi Lata Neekhra Research Scholar (R D V V University)
Abstract - Ever since the beginning of Hindi literary writing to till today, if we count the names of great authors then the name of Munshi Premchand does not require any introduction. He is the resplendent star in the sky of the literary world whose shine cannot be dimmed for ages. Premchand not only changed the work land of Hindi literature but also rejuvenated it. The standing dialect that we use in cinema, screenplays and books nowadays, even though Bhartendu Harishchandra started it, but the credit for making it reaches to perfection goes to Premchand. He has been awarded with many titles such as
„Katha Samart‟ „Upanyas Samrat‟ and also known as “Tolstoy of India”. He is the only writer who presents his best and outstanding writings in both Hindi and Urdu language and is known for moving hindi writing from the imaginative world to real world as he was a true guard of humanity and considered literature as a means of high thinking beyond entertainment. Without short prose fiction and inclusion of Munshi Premchand it is impossible to imagine the fate of Hindi literature both are the supplement to each other.
Ethos is an essential part of life style of Indians, since ancient times. India is comprised of different religious cults, cultures, which make it different from any other nation. A variety of ethos prevails from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. This rainbow coloured heritage makes it ultimate. Munshi Premchand‟s works have given the right path to society with true depection of Indian ethos.
Ethos means "custom" or "character" in Greek. It referred to a man's character or personality, especially in its balance between passion and caution. Today ethos is used to refer to the practices or values that distinguish one person, organization, or society from others. There are many stories of Premchand presenting examples of ethos out of which
„Holy Panchayat can be considered as a unique work of Munshi Premchand. This story,which describes the Panchyat and Panchayti system is the village centric system of justice in rural India. Story set up in the rural environment which is a strong pillar of India, shows the circle of friendship, brotherhood, justice, divine power and becoming an invaluable example of moral education, it will always be known as an immortal work for ages. „Holy Panchyat‟ originally translated from „Panch Parmeshwar‟ was one of excellent piece of art of Munshi Premchand‟s writings. It was translated many times with many titles This story has credit of being Premchand‟s first published story in Hindi language, originally it was written in Urdu with named „Panchyat The characters has been taken by the writer were not imaginative but they all were taken from common man. Hindu Muslim harmony is the significant trait and unprecedented quality of Indian culture as well as important factor of Munshi ji‟s writings. From the ancient time Hindu Muslims are the
„Tana‟ and „Bana‟ of Indian society they lived happily and respected to each other‟s customs and religion. For better understanding of this Indian ethos, this story can become the first example where writer has scattered his emotions with the help of characters as one is Hindu and other is Muslim but their plight, sufferings, struggles, and the emotional aspects are same which the signature of Indian culture is. In India from the ancient Vedic times
„Panchayat‟ was the system of governance justice on the level of village. It is the key part of Indian governance system of justice in which juries are elected by the people for the people, so that the minor disputes can be solved internally. Hence it is said that by villagers, “God lives in the voice of panch.” The story „Holy Panchyat‟ very aptly held this responsibility that how Justice should be served and how one can get the resolution for social evils, in the form of narrative tale writer guided the whole society. One can easily see the impact and influence of Mahatma Gandhi in his literary work specially „the doctrine of „Gram Swaraj‟as Gandhi ji said “India lives in village.” This story is not apart from this vision here writer aptly mirrored Gandhi ji doctrine , like truth, sacrifice, morality, firm determination, unshakable faith and an attachment to the soil. The word „Swaraj‟ means „self-control‟ or
„self rule‟. Both the important characters in this story follow this approach completely.
Seeing all religions with equal respect and respecting their traditions is called secularism.
Secularism is an unprecedented feature of India. Many of his stories fit in this context where secularism has been emphasized, communal harmony has been taught but „Holy Panchyat‟ is the classical example of secularism when it comes to secularism in Indian literature this story will be placed at the forefront of this category of stories. Premchand is the representative writer of rural India, he mainly presented rural and social life of the countrymen as the subject of his stories and put the suffering of the farmers in his own words. With this realistic portrayal, he won the hearts of the reader. The farmer is the most oppressed character in feudal India whose true depiction appears in his writings. He described literature as a 'criticism of life' instead of the definition of „literature is a mirror of society‟. Friendships, justice, religion, reconsideration of morality are the four main themes of the story with help of these themes writer have established the highest level of Idealism.
The priceless shade of morality is scattered at the end of the story, where Jumman Sheikh puts aside his personal enmity and served justice. It is natural to be surprised to read this work, how the narrator has easily threaded the Indian ethos together in a garland, which shows the glimpse of Indian civilization as well as secularism, devotion to duty, justice, truth and pictorial depiction of rural environment and human mind. Teaching the lesson of mood and morality in the end, it twitches the strings of the human heart.
Keywords: Panchyat, Kashmir to Kanya Kumari, Ethos, Zamindari System, Untouchability, Katha Samrat, Sanathana Dharma,Khalal Jaan, Rural area, Hindu Muslim Unity, Gram Swraj, Natural Justice.
1 INTRODUCTIONS
Ever since the beginning of hindi literary writing to till today, if we count the names of great authors then the name of Munshi Premchand does not need any introduction. He is the resplendent star in the sky of the literary world whose shine cannot dimmed for ages. Though it said that Bhartendu Harishchandera was the pioneer of modern hindi literature but real credit should be given to Premchand who took it to new dimension. Premchand not only changed the work land of Hindi literature but also rejuvenated it. The standing dialect that we use in cinema, screenplays and books nowadays, even though Bhartendu Harishchandra started it, but the credit for making it reaches to perfection goes to Premchand. At the level of characters, he did not adopt the old traditions. Introducing originality and replacing royal class heroes, made common man as a hero. Apart from this, Premchand also showed his authenticity in the novels, the purpose of story, the subject matter and the approach. A great proponent who denied the old orthodox, imaginative way of writing instead focused on expressing the truth of life. It was Premchand, who chimed the strings of human heart with his writing 300stories and plays, is also called the „father of realism‟, he has been awarded titles such as „Katha Samart‟ „Upanyas Samrat‟ and also known as “Tolstoy of India”. He is the only writer who presents his best and
outstanding writings in both Hindi and Urdu language, he is known for moving hindi writing from the imaginative world to real world as he was a true guard of humanity and considered literature as a means of high thinking beyond entertainment. Munshi ji seems to be completely different from other progressive writers in the queue as other writers continue to express a single voice, but on the contrary Premchand has give expression to multiple voices and this quality makes him most popular amongst the readers. The tradition of writing story Indian literature is the oldest in the world;
initially it was in poetic form later shifted into prose form. In the beginning of the 19th century short story has not given more importance but now days it occupied a very important place in the realm of every literature of world.
But the fact is that without short prose fiction and inclusion of Munshi Premchand it is impossible to imagine the fate of Hindi literature both are the supplement to each other. His stories depict true pen picture of Indian Society, in which he raised his voice against Feudalism, Zamindari System, Poverty, Illiteracy, Untouchability, Castism Social and Economic Communalism Dowry System, Widow remarriage and atrocities on women are the essential inclusion in his writings. Ethos is an essential part of life style of Indians, since ancient times.
India is comprised of different religious cults, cultures, which make it different from any other nation. A variety of ethos prevails from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.
This rainbow coloured heritage makes it ultimate. Munshi Premchand‟s works has given the right path to society with true depection of Indian ethos.
To say, people call him the true literary writer of rural society, labourers and farmers, but this is not reality, he painted every colour of ethos of indian society every class, poor and urban,every area, city and village he always wrote against every discrepancy of the society.
Traditions, cultures and customs are the part of living life, his work truly reflected a complete glimpses of Indian ethos these specialty of encarving the social values is completely useful even in today‟s scenario that makes him great genius.
2 ETHOS: DEFINE
Ethos means "custom" or "character" in Greek. It referred to a man's character or personality, especially in its balance between passion and caution. Today ethos is used to refer to the practices or values that distinguish one person, organization, or society from others. Ethos is an appeal to ethics, and it is a means of convincing someone of the character or credibility of the persuaders
2.1 Let us describe the definition of Ethos according to Wikipedia
Ethos is a Greek word meaning
"character" that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology. The Greeks also used this word to refer to the power of music to influence emotions, behaviors, and even morals. Early Greek stories of Orpheus exhibit this idea in a compelling way. The word's use in rhetoric is closely based on the Greek terminology used by Aristotle in his concept of the three artistic proofs or modes of persuasion. It gives credit to the speaker, or the speaker is taking credit.
Indian Ethos in Management refers to the values and practices that the culture of India (Bharatheeya Sanskriti) can contribute to service, leadership and management. bThese values and practices are rooted in Sanathana Dharma (the eternal essence),
and have been influenced by various strands of Indian philosophy
There are many stories of premchand presenting examples of ethos out of which „Holy „Panchayat‟ can be considered as a unique work of Munshi Premchand. The very purpose of the story is very simple and effortlessly moving the heart of the reader and the listeners fulfils the main purpose of story to morally educate along with entertainment.
Premchand ji depicted social environment, culture, tradition, ethos, of his time, so that the coming generations can also study the situation and social mood of that time. „Holy Panchayat‟ is his most accurate creation in this regard. Due to this significant contribution in the development of Indian literature world will always be indebted to him.
This story, which describes the
„panchyat‟ panchayti system is a village centric system of justice in rural India.
Story set up in the rural environment as a strong pillar of India, which shows the circle of friendship, brotherhood, justice, divine power and becoming an invaluable example of moral education, it will be known as an immortal work for ages. The summary of this story depicting the colorful shade of Indian ethos is as follows -Jumman Sheikh and Algu Chaudhary are the best friends of childhood, irrespective of religion and caste, establish the ideal of friendship in the village. If Jumman gets respect for his knowledge, then Algu gets respect due to his high status of wealth. . Education was given to both of them by Jumrati Sheikh, Jumman's father. While going out, both of them would have freely given the responsibility of their house to each other. Because they did not have any close relatives. Jumman and his wife started behaving badly with Khala as soon as the will was named, after suffering a few days, the widow asked Jumman for monthly expenses, which Jumman refused to pay, Khaljan took up the panchayat Convened and elected his sarpanch Algu Chaudhary. Jumman was happy in his heart, but despite deep friendship, Algu gave a verdict against Jumman. His policy and justice were praised openly by the Panches and accepted the importance of Panchayat.
This decision made both of them happy.
There was a rift in the friendship,
Jumman started looking for an opportunity to take revenge on Algu, after a few days an incident happened, Algu.
Sahu sold one of his bulls to the merchant and promised to pay the price after a month, Jai died of the burden of working, after several months of talking, when Algu asked for the price of the bull, he understood that Sahu refused to give When the quarrel started increasing, the panchayat was convened. He was born.
He thought that I am sitting on the highest position of religion at this time, I should support the truth. After listening to the arguments of both the sides, Jumman decided in favor of Algu by asking Samjhu to pay the entire amount of the bull to Algu Chaudhary. Jumman realized his mistake that sitting on the post of Panch, there is no friend, no enemy, justice is paramount. I became convinced that God speaks with the tongue of the punch. The vine of their friendship turned green again.
2.2 ‘The Holy Panchyat’: Most Readable and Remarkable Story
The „Holy Panchyat‟ originally translated from „Panch Parmeshwar‟ was one of excellent piece of art of Munshi Premchand‟s writings. It was translated many times with many titles like „Fair Justice‟ and „The Holy Panchyat‟ was again translated as the „Voice of God‟ by Ruth Vinita. This story has credit of being Premchand‟s first published story in Hindi language, originally it was written in Urdu with named „Panchyat‟but writer‟s ambition to reach to a wider range of readers led to its translation in hindi by him the most understood language of that time. In 1920 it got included in the collection of Prem Purnima. „Panch Parmeshwar‟ is the title which has been suggested by Hazari Prasad Diwadi. The Indian ethos and its aspects of contemporary times are highlighted in this story by this we can easily show the glimpses of Indian culture, „Holy Panchyat‟ is strong example of realistic - idealism that is the supreme quality of Premchand‟s writings. This story can be said to be the turning point of hindi literary writings where writer has used plots taken from the real life in place of mysterious theme and plausible plots.
The characters has been taken by the writer were not imaginative but they all
were taken from common man in place of kings and other high class belongings.
This reality based issue of the day to day life, daily struggle for their existence, with his incredible style of writings makes this story most readable, and a most includable story in school and college curriculum from the beginning time till today. It is the best example which not only show us nobility of human being but also touched the core of human heart, and the soul in a very simple, pathetic and realistic way, as he always says, “the aim of story is not only entertain but also give the moral lesson.”
Let us discuss the glimpses of Indian ethos in Premchand‟s excellent literary work known as „Holy Panchyat‟
3 GLIMPSES OF INDIAN ETHOS:
3.1 Hindu Muslim unity: Communal Harmony
Indian civilization is the oldest civilization of the world. Its immortality is due to its richness of culture, from the beginning of civilization many types of foreigners came here and made it their home and established permanently. Gradually Indian culture became world‟s most rich, ancient and huge culture where different kinds of communities followed different traditions, customs and rituals and lived happily together, this quality of „Anekta mai Ekta Bharat ki visheshta‟, make Indians and their country different from other nations. The story „Holy Panchyat‟ of Premchand has beautifully shows the realistic picture of Indian ethos and culture. In his many stories he took the theme of Hindu Muslim unity as a source of entertainment but „Holy Panchyat‟ is the one which entertains and moralize us simultaneously. In his stories frequent use of Urdu and Hindi languages by the writer are the both in Urdu and Hindi languages are the best source to understand the Hindu Muslim harmony that deeply rooted in Indian society.
Hindu Muslim harmony is the significant trait and unprecedented quality of Indian culture as well as important factor of Munshi ji writings From the ancient time Hindu Muslims is the „Tana‟ and „Bana‟ of Indian society they lived happily and respected to each other‟s customs and religion. Since centuries Hindu and Muslim have been the part of each other‟s livings. This
ultimate theme with profound use of these two languages in story set the example of „Ganga Umana Tahzeeb‟, this specialty of the story ranked it, in the world best story. For better understanding of this Indian ethos, in
„Holy Panchyat‟ this story can be become the first example, where writer has scattered his emotions with the help of characters as one is Hindu and other is Muslim but their plight, sufferings, struggles, and the emotional aspects are same which is the signature of Indian culture. It is the great piece of literature where writer deals in a very best way this types of atmosphere and encarved the true live picture of Hindu Muslim unity from the very starting of the story with these line “Jumman Shiakh and Algu Choudhry were very close friends. They trusted each other without reservation.
When Jumman had gone on hajj he had left his house under Algu‟s care. And whenever Algu went out he left his house to Jumman to look after. They neither inter-dined, nor were they of the same religion. But there was between them a certain concurrence of views. And that indeed is the basis of true friendship.”
Algu Choudhary and Jumman sheikh, both protagonists are very rural rustic and man of commonplace. Both are child hood best friend although they do not belong same religion even do not share the food with each other but when hearts meet there is no place for social bondages.
The description of Algu and Jumman‟s friendships in the best example of Hindu Muslim harmony.Let us see in these lines- “Jumman‟s worshipful father, Jumeraati, was their tutor. Algu had served his guru with great diligence, washing many plates and cups. The cinders in the tutor‟s hookah never died down, for Algu.” These lines clearly depicted atmosphere of communal harmony in India. Both character‟s hearts beat for each other even they belongs different religion. When one of them went to outside then they gave their families responsibilities to each other. There is nothings to bind up them only their mental or emotional affection and affinity.
Despite belonging from the Muslim religion Khalajaan elected Hindu judge Algu Chowdhry same in the case of Algu,
Samjhu Sahu the Hindu elected Jumman Sheikh as chair person.
3.2 ‘Gram Swraj’: Accreditation of Village
Literature played a significant role in the struggle of India‟s freedom and development more and more writers began to use their pen for patriotic purpose. Munshi Premchand is also in one of them and one can easily see the impact and influence of Mahatma Gandhi in his literary work specially „the doctrine of „Gram Swaraj‟as Gandhi ji said “India lives in village, if you want to see the real India you have to go towards rural India”.
India‟s glorious culture deeply rooted in country side. The story „Holy Panchyat‟ is not apart from this vision here writer aptly mirrored Gandhi ji doctrine, like truth, sacrifice, morality, firm determination, unshakable faith and an attachment to the soil. This Story hold the credit of showing to world all these doctrine with the beauty of rustic life and culture and its unique heritage which deeply lived in heart and mind of every Indians. “A fire had been lighted in one corner. There the barber was filling up chillum after chillum non-stop. It was impossible to decide whether the smoke rising from the burning cow dung cakes was thicker or that from the puffs exhaled by the hookah smokers. Boys were running all around, shouting, crying. It was a noisy scene”. All these lines taken from the story, how! Beautifully depict the rustic picture of India where true Indians are lived. Where ever Munshi ji deals with the character or content based on pastoral atmosphere than very perfectly his writings gone towards simplicity and natural as they expressing their own observation and experience. He uses his characters as an apparatus or purpose weapons and with the help of them he can they can express his vision and ideology to words readers.
The „Holy Panchayat‟ story fully fulfilled with Gandhiji's concept of Swaraj.
The word Swaraj means „self-control‟ or
„self rule‟. Both the important characters in this story follow this approach completely. When Algu Choudhary gives judgment against Jumman for Khalajan, he puts aside his own friendship and delivers a moral judgment, in which he loses his friendship. Despite this, he
listens to the voice of his soul and delivers a just decision by ruling himself.
Similarly, in the case of Samjhu Sahu and Algu Chaudhary, Jumman Shaikh, despite having a feeling of enmity for Algu in his heart, was elected as sarpanch, adopting the concept of Swaraj, and raising the voice of the inner voice by pronouncing the truth and given judgment in favour of Algu. If we look at the concept of village swaraj in the context of the development of the village, then by the people of the village, to establish a system or system for the development of the village and to solve their problems, whose form as 'Panchayat', Munshi Premchand ji has done wonderfully expressed in both way.
Panchyat system: An ancient tradition of justice
In India from the ancient Vedic time „Panchayat‟ was the system of governance justice on the level of village.
It is the key part of Indian governance system of justice in which juries are elected by the people for the people, so that the minor disputes can be solved internally. From since the early ages this system has been playing an integral role in India‟s social, political and economical life. This system of governance every aspect of social life of the villagers who are the back bone of Indian society.
Because they are unable to reach city court due to poverty and the lack of resources. Panch and Sarpanch are the bolstering pillars of rural justice system who comprise of qualities like judicial doctrine, truth, goodwill and fairness.
When someone from the village is seated on such posts, then their voice becomes God‟s justice. Hence it is said that by villagers, “God lives in the voice of panch.”
it is the big duty of panchyat that victim have to get fair judgment. Algu and Jumman, Ramdhan Mishr, Khalajaan, Samjhu Sahu, all these characters truly reflected the live picture of Panchyat.
Through his story „Holy Panchyat‟ Munshi Premchand gave a lively description of rural „Panchyati system‟. How!
Microscopically writer observed and depicted the pen picture of „Panchayat‟
easily can seen in these description “one evening the Panchayat gathered under a tree. Shaikh Jumman had spread his sheet even before. He had made provision for
paan, ilaichi,hookah and tobacco Every inch of the ground was occupied.”
These lines taken from the text very aptly prove this “This is justice. This is not the work of man. God himself resides in the Panchprameshwar. It is His doing. Who can prove the wrong as right before the Panchayat!”
The story „Holy Panchyat‟ very aptly holds this responsibility that how Justice should be served and how one can get the resolution for social evils, in the form of narrative tale writer guide the whole society.
4 SECULARISM: SIGNATURE OF INDIAN CULTURE
Secularism is an unprecedented feature of India. It is deeply rooted in every citizen‟s heart even they don‟t know its meaning. Seeing all religions with equal respect and respecting their traditions is called secularism. Munshi Premchand can be placed in the leading line of those writers who have explained Indian‟s secularism and tolerance to the Indian public in a very simple way though their stories. He has given a prominent place to all religious sects, Bramhins, Kshatriya. Dalit, Muslim characters though his writings and thus expressed his faith in secularism. Many of his stories fit in this context where secularism has been emphasized, communal harmony has been taught but
„Holy Panchyat‟ is the classical example of secularism when it comes to secularism in Indian Literature this story will be placed at the forefront of this category of stories. Every character in this story has become synonymous with secularism. The soulful expression of Hindu Muslim unity has been inscribed in the screen of the Indian public forever by Premchand. Jumman Sheikh and Algu Choudhary come from two different religious sects, but their friendship is an example for whole village, where friendship begins, these things like religious sects become trivial. There cannot be a better example of secularism than this. Algu‟s compassion for Khalajaan giving judgment in her favour is a perfect presentation of secularism.
This great work of art is not only known for its „justice‟ but also known for picture presentation of secularism. Look at in
these lines - “Algu Chowdry said, „Shaikh Jumman, you and I are old friends. We have helped each other on many occasions. But at this moment we are not friends. You and khaala are equal in my eyes. You can put forward your case before the Panchayat.”
4.1 Rural Background: Realistic Vision of Writer
The literature of each country is a reflection of its society, every literary work is a witness to all the developments of the society. Through literature, we can easily understand the fabric of customs, art, culture and social behavior of the contemporary society. The contribution of Munshi Premchand's literature to understand the environment of Indian society, mainly the rural environment, is incomparable.
Munshi ji portrays the rural life in such a way that the movies are situated in front of our eyes, and knowingly or unknowingly not being a villager, we find ourselves present among those characters by becoming a part of that rural environment. Through this story, he has raised the voice of landless exploited farmers and exploited women. India is a culturally diverse country in which water changes on 2 kos and speech changes on 4 kos. There is hardly any country with such diversity of culture, dress, language, and customs.
India is a country of villages. The beauty, simplicity, nature, of rural life is different from urban life. Munshi ji has no match in the presentation of rural environment. When he describes rural lifestyle through pen, then in front of the eyes of the reader, he starts portraying a picture of rural life, he makes a living painting with the magic of words, in which different colors of Indian ethos are scattered, so that we can see the Indian environment, culture, tradition, life style, dressing sense etc. He also bonded together the intense and subtle feelings of the body and the human mind. This wonderful quality of tying nature, environment and human psychology into one thread makes them dear to the people. Look at these beautiful lines which give us rustic feeling “It was impossible to decide whether the smoke rising from the burning cow dung cakes was thicker or that from the puffs exhaled
by the hookah smokers. Boys were running all around, shouting, crying. It was a noisy scene”
Premchand mainly made rural and social life of the countrymen as the subject of his stories and put the suffering of the farmers in his own words, and won the hearts of the reader with this realistic portrayal. The farmer is the most oppressed character in feudal India whose true depiction appears in his writings. He described literature as a 'criticism of life' instead of the definition of „literature is a mirror of society‟.
Poor condition of widow in Indian society- Jumman got property from his maternal aunt but Jumman and his wife is ill-treated her. The old and poor widow revolt against Jumman and strongly says that she will ask for justice and will go the village council „Panchyat‟ where Panchyat president would look at the whole matter fairly. Jumman is fully confident that he could able to save the property and the panchyat judgment will be in his favour as Algu elected as a chair person for his case and he is his bossom friend. A widow aunt despite of her old age went from village to village but no one supported her and not tried to understand her problem.
This pathetic description of Khalajaan show the bad conditions of widow in Indian society in the contemporary times,
“Jumman‟s wife, Kariman, began to dish out, along with chapatis, hot and bitter curries of words. Jumman Shikh too became hard-hearted. Now the poor aunt had to swallow bitter words every day:
“God knows how long this old woman would live She thinks she has bought us by just transferring a few bighas of barren land.” but on the other hand the same lady becomes symbol of women empowerment as she wants her right and was fighting for herself respect.
The old aunt is symbol of women empowerment, due to her firm determination she request to everyone come to panchyat and see the case of her. But Algu wants to support away from the whole matter so the old aunt asked “will you twin your back to Justice for fear of running your friendship”. This key sentence is the soul of story. Here writer very smartly portrays pathetic conditions of old widow aunt. On the other hand writer depicted the close picture of progressive condition of
women in the face of old, confirm aunt who may be physically weak but mentally not “Son, fear Allah. What‟re you insinuating. Members of panchayat don‟t take sides. And if you can‟t trust anyone, let it go. Hope you trust Algu Chowdhry. Come on, I choose him as the Panchayat head.”
4.2 Idealism: An Integral Part of Indian Society
Premchand has considered the story as an integral part of life. Changing the nature of the era through literature is the life of 'Premchand literature'. They sometimes reflect their own experiences in their stories, as he believed in the essential nobility of human nature. The best story is the one whose basis is depend on psychological truth.
Friendships, justice, religion, reconsideration of morality are the four main theme of the story with help of these themes writer has established the highest level of Idealism. The reason for the popularity of the Holi Panchayat story is the high ideal of life. This story teaches the lesson of idealism from place to place.
Most of the characters in this story follow the principles of Premchand's life. We do.
Despite Khalajaan's old age, raising her voice for her rights, and shows plight for justice Algu and Jumman are sitting on the high peak of idealism and justice.
Along with the pictorial description of the rural environment, the inner struggle of the mind is well depicted. In the end, who can do the work of showing both the human qualities of justice and idealism together, except Premchand. The priceless shade of morality is scattered at the end of the story, where Jumman Sheikh puts aside his personal enmity and served justice and gives decision in favour of Algu Chowdhry. Everyone was praising Jumman‟s justice look at in these lines-
“They said, „This is what a Panchayat is. He has separated the grain from the chaff. Friendship has its own place but to follow the dharma is the most important thing. The earth has stayed where it is because of such truthful people or it would have sunk underwater by now.”
In this story the term natural justice‟ assures people fairness, responsibleness, good conscience, equity and equality clearly defined in these lines
“Jumman Shaikh also became conscious of such a responsibility, the moment he assumed the high office of the Sarpanch.
He realized that at this moment he was seated on the highest throne of justice and righteousness. Whatever he uttered now would be the word of God, and any prejudice of his mind must not contaminate that voice. He must not deviate even a tiny bit from truth. I have realized that while sitting on that seat of justice you are no one‟s friend or foe.”When story reached in its climax every situation is crystal cleared both friends now comprehended about the responsibility of the high seat and the power of justice. Lines which are delivered by Jumman in the climax of the story purgates the heart of readers and listeners and at last happy ending comes
“the withered friendship had become green again”
5 CONCLUSION
It is natural to be surprised to read this, how the narrator has easily threaded the Indian ethos together in a garland, which shows the glimpse of Indian civilization as well as secularism, devotion to duty, justice, truth and pictorial depiction of rural environment and human mind.
Teaching the lesson of mood and morality in the end, it twitches the strings of the human heart. Hardly any other storyteller has coordinated so many qualities together, their uniqueness has forever made them a place in the sky of the world literature. His invaluable contribution will not be forgotten for ages. Even after the passage of so many years, Premchand's place is still vacant and cannot be filled in the coming times. The Hindi literature world should be grateful for this priceless heritage given by Munshiji and the future generation should know that so many great literary gems have been born in India too.
REFERENCES
1. Gopal Madan, (2006)”My Life and Time”, Recreated from his work, New Delhi, Lotus collections, P.1976;
2. Anupa Lal, “The Voice of Truth”, Roopa Collection Series; New Delhi, Roopa and Co.2002
3. For the biography, Amrit Ray, “Kalam Ka Sipahi”, Prakashan, Allahabad 2005
4. Arvind Gupta, (2008) “Eleven story by Premchand” New Delhi, Farsight Publisher and Distributors, Ed 2012, ISBN 81-89297-78-3
5. "Munshi Premchand's Collection of Short Stories
- Guldasta Vol : 1, 2 & 3)". amazon.in (in Hindi). Shemaroo. 16 January 2009.
