Which Is The First Popular Modern Novel In Hindi?
Chandrakanta: Hindi’s first contemporary novel
Chandrakanta, penned by Babu Devaki Nandan Khatri and published in 1888, holds the esteemed title of being the first popular novel in modern everyday Hindi. It’s a fascinating piece of literature that has left a lasting impact on readers and the literary landscape. This story unfolds in a captivating fantasy world, featuring a stunning princess who finds herself in peril, a valiant prince who comes to her aid, rival kings who throw challenges in their path, and cunning aiyaars skilled in the art of trickery and disguise. This book is an absolute page-turner, filled with intricate mazes, thrilling battles, enchanting magic, and a cast of beautifully written, diverse characters, all engaged in a clever game of outwitting one another.
Devaki Nandan spent a period of time working as a forest contractor for the Raja of Benares. His work took him on adventures through lush forests, where he explored ancient monuments and crumbling ruins. After losing his job, he channelled his experiences into writing books. He drew extensively from the rich Persian-Arabic tradition of dastan storytelling, seamlessly weaving it into the fabric of Indian culture and making it feel right at home.
Take, for instance, his use of tilism—a magical maze filled with traps at every turn, solvable only by the most skilled individuals. His mazes are intricate mechanical contraptions, rather than enchanting magical creations. In a fascinating twist, the aiyaars possess the remarkable ability to transform their appearance at will, a skill often linked to the art of disguise and make-up.
Devaki Nandan didn’t complete the book in one go. He crafted it in a serial format, releasing one chapter—referred to as a bayaan—at a time. During that period, the majority of reading and writing activities were conducted in Urdu, Sanskritized Hindi, or English. The everyday Hindi spoken by the common people was often deemed unfit for literary purposes. Devakinandan was resolute in his decision to write exclusively in modern Hindi. Despite this insistence, his books never quite reached the upper echelons of Hindi literature. However, when it comes to popularity, they outshone nearly every other title. Chandrakanta gained immense popularity, with fans eagerly anticipating each new bayaan. In the heart of village squares, a gathering of eager listeners would form around a literate individual, captivated by the words being read aloud. A lot of people who don’t speak Hindi have taken the time to learn the language just so they can read it. Following the success of Chandrakanta, Devaki Nandan was inspired to pen its sequel, ‘Chandrakanta Santati,’ which spans six volumes. There have been four TV serials adapted from the books, and a movie featuring the legendary Amitabh Bachchan was nearly brought to life.
There are definitely some issues with the book. While drawing from the rich tapestry of Arabic-Persian storytelling and incorporating a variety of Urdu vocabulary, these books present a narrative that leans towards an anti-Islamic perspective. Muslim characters often find themselves portrayed in a negative light and face severe consequences throughout the stories. The characters also exhibit casteist beliefs. One can definitely recognise these issues while still revelling in the book, as it offers a wildly entertaining story. Now that the book is in the public domain, finding a copy should be quite easy! Snag yours today and dive into the enchanting realm of Chandrakanta.
