Idgah (short story)
| "Idgah" | |
|---|---|
| Short story by Premchand | |
| Country | India |
| Language | Urdu |
| Publication | |
| Published in | Chand[1] |
| Publication type | periodical |
| Publication date | 1938 |
Idgah is a Hindustani story written by the Indian author Munshi Premchand. Munshi Premchand wrote in urdu with the name of Nawab Rai .[2][3] It is one of the most well-known stories of Premchand.[4]
The story depicts a very poor boy (4–5 years of age), Hamid, who lives with his Dadi (grandmother) Amina. Hamid, the protagonist of the story, has lost his parents. His aged grandmother Amina fulfills their daily needs by doing some needle work for others. His Dadi (grandmother) has told him that very soon his father and mother, who are actually dead, will return home with lots of money, sweets and gifts for him from the house of Allah. He is full of hope and happily awaiting that day.
The story begins on Eid (festival) morning, poor Hamid doesn't have new clothes or shoes like other children had. He has only three paise (very little money) as Idi for the festival, to spend in a fair. His friends spend their pocket money on rides, candies and buying beautiful colourful clay toys (Bhishti, lawyer, policeman and a milkmaid). Hamid dismisses this as a waste of money for momentary pleasure. While his friends are enjoying themselves, he overcomes his temptation and goes to a hardware shop to buy a pair of tongs. He remembers how his Dadi burns her hand while cooking rotis (Indian flat bread).
The story ends on a touching note when Hamid gifts the chimta to his Dadi. At first she is shocked and annoyed by his stupidity that instead of eating anything or buying any toy at the fair, he has purchased a chimta. But then Hamid reminds her of how she burns her fingers daily, while making rotis. She bursts into tears at this and blesses him for his kindness.
Adaptions
The story appears in Indian textbooks, and its adaptions also appear in moral education books such as The Joy of Living.[5]
The story has been adapted into several plays and other performances. Asi-Te-Karave Yied (2008) is a Kashmiri adaption of the story by Shehjar Children’s Theatre Group, Srinagar.[6] Mujeeb Khan has also adapted it into a play as part of the series Adaab Mein Premchand Hoon.[7] The Rashtriya Kathak Sansthan, Lucknow, has adapted the story into a Kathak performance.[8]
References
- ^ Sigi, Rekha (2006). Munshi Prem Chand. Diamond. ISBN 978-81-288-1214-9.
- ^ Faisal, Mirza (2007). "Munshi Premchand and Idgah!".
- ^ Premchand, Munshi. Idgah. Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 8185830258.
- ^ Asgharali Engineer (2007). Communalism in secular India: a minority perspective. Hope India Publication. p. 57. ISBN 978-81-7871-133-1.
- ^ Francis Fanthome, Dorothy Fanthome. The Joy of Living: A Series for Value Education. Frank Brothers. pp. 45–. ISBN 978-81-7170-617-4. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ Sonam Joshi (2008-10-18). "Teens from Srinagar orphanage take the stage in city to ask: Are children happy in the Valley?". Indian Express. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
- ^ Shaheen Parkar (2008-10-04). "What's on this Eid?". Mid-Day. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
- ^ "Lamhi Mahotsava from July 29-31". The Times of India. 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2012-06-05.
External links
- An English translation of the story from a textbook published by the Madhya Pradesh Text Book Corporation
