Anandamath
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| Anandamath | |
|---|---|
 Cover of the book |
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| Author | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| Original title | আনন্দমঠ |
| Country | India |
| Language | Bengali |
| Genre(s) | Novel (Nationalist) |
| Publisher | Orient paperbacks (Vision Books Pvt. Ltd.) |
| Publication date | 1882 |
| Published in English |
1992 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 136 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 812220130X |
| OCLC Number | 51102604 |
Anandamath (Bangla: আনন্দমঠ Anondomôţh. First English publication title: The Abbey of Bliss) is a Bengali novel, written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and published in 1882. Set in the background of the Sannyasi Rebellion in the late 1700s, it is considered one of the most important novels in the history of Bengali and Indian literature. Its importance is heightened by the fact that it became synonymous with the struggle for Indian independence from the British Empire. The novel was banned by the British. The ban was lifted later by the Government of India after independence.
The national song of India, Vande Mataram was originally published in this novel.
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
The plot opens with the horrors of famine in Bengal - a common occurrence during the British oppression of India (Famine in India). Bankim Chandra describes with now-famous lines - "People sold their belongings, then their house, then their land, then their wives, then their children - even then the famine has no end. Everyone wants to sell, there's no buyer."
A housewife, Kalyani, is fleeing through the forest with her infant, trying to escape from man-hunters who will sell her for food. Finally, she loses her consciousness at the bank of one of many rivers in Bengal.
A Sannyasi, a Hindu monk, stumbles upon her & the baby, but before he could get help, he is arrested by the British soldiers for his appearance (all Sannyasis wore saffron robe), as the Sannyasis was fuelling revolt against the British rule. However, after he has been tied and is being led away by the soldiers, he spots another Sannyasi known to him who was not in robe. He sings,
"In mild breeze, by the bank of the river,
In the forest, resides a respectable lady."
The other Sannyasi deciphers the song, rescues Kalyani & the baby and takes them to the secret hideout of the rebel Sannyasis.
In another thread of the plot, Kalyani's husband, Mahendra, is also given shelter by the Sannyasis and they are eventually united.
The leader of the rebel Sannyasis indoctrinates Mahendra by showing him the three faces of Bharat-Mata (Mother India) as three goddess idols being worshipped in three consecutive rooms.
1. What Mother Was - An idol of Goddess Jagaddhatri
2. What Mother Has Become - An idol of Goddess Kali
3. What Mother Will Be - An idol of Goddess Durga
Gradually, the influence of the Sannyasis reach far & wide, and their ranks swell. Emboldened, the Sannyasis shift their headquarter to a small brick fort. The British gets the information and attacks the fort with a large force, consisting of infantry, artillery, their officers on horseback. The Sannyasis blockade the bridge over the nearby river, but they lack any artillery or military training. In the fighting that ensues, the British makes a tactical retreat over the bridge. The Sannyasis turn out to be not a very disciplined army, and lacking military experience & leadership. They chase the British into the trap. Once the bridge is full of Sannyasis, British artillery opens fire, inflicting severe casualties.
However, some Sannyasis, in a flanking movement, manage to capture some of the cannons, and turn the fire back on to the British lines. The British are forced to fall back, and the Sannyasis win their first battle.
The story ends with Mahendra and Kalyani building a home again, with Mahendra continuing to actively support the Sannyasi movement.
[edit] Commentary
The plot background was loosely based on the devastating Bengal famine of 1770 and unsuccessful Sannyasi Rebellion. Bankim Chandra dreams of an India rid of the British, but does not put an alternate into place. He is also not explicit about the policies of the British that were significant in spreading the famine.
Bankim Chandra also romantically dreamed of untrained Sannyasi soldiers fighting, operating artillery, and winning over the disciplined and highly experienced Royal Army, which was admittedly unlikely.
However, the value of the novel is in its patriotic nature, and being a significant voice amidst the oppression that inspired struggle for independence in the generations to come. Many of the lines of the novel became immortal and have been quoted by scores of authors, even in present times.
[edit] Film adaptation
The was later adapted into a film, Anand Math in 1952, directed by Hemen Gupta, starring Bharat Bhushan, Pradeep Kumar and Geeta Bali. Music was by Hemant Kumar, who gave a version of the Vande Mataram, which became a cult success[1].
[edit] Further reading
- Chattopadhyay, Bankim Chandra (April 2006). Lipner, J. J.. ed. Anandamath, or The Sacred Brotherhood. India: Oxford University Press, India. ISBN 9780195683226 (hardback).
