Khattar Kaka

by Harimohan Jha

This is a class satire by Harimohan Jha who is a a famous author from the region Mithila(northern most part of bihar). This book was originally written in maithili. The above version is in Hindi.
This book contains satire (not more than 8-10 pages) on Hindu orthodox religion and culture. Each satire deals with an ancient text like mahabharat, ramayan, puran etc. The method used is a dialogue between the writer and a fictional character Khattar Kaka.

199 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

सन् 1932 में पटना विश्वविद्यालय से दर्शनशास्त्र में एम.ए.। इसके बाद पटना विश्वविद्यालय में ही दर्शनशास्त्र के प्रोफेसर और फिर विभागाध्यक्ष रहे।

अपने बहुमुखी रचनात्मक अवदान से मैथिली साहित्य की श्री-वृद्धि करनेवाले विशिष्ट लेखक। भारतीय दर्शन और संस्कृति-काव्य साहित्य के मर्मज्ञ विद्वान के रूप में विशेष ख्याति अर्जित की। धर्म, दर्शन और इतिहास, पुराण के अस्वस्थ, लोकविरोधी प्रसंगों की दिलचस्प लेकिन कड़ी आलोचना। इस सन्दर्भ में ‘खट्टर काका’ जैसी बहुचर्चित व्यंग्यकृति विशेष उल्लेखनीय। मूल मैथिली में करीब 20 पुस्तकें प्रकाशित। कुछ कहानियों का हिंदी, गुजराती और तमिल में अनुवाद।

प्रमुख कृतियाँ: कन्यादान, द्विरागमन (उपन्यास); प्रणम्य देवता, रंगशाला (हास्य कथाएँ); खट्टर काका (व्यंग्य-कृति); चरचरी (विधा-विविधा)।

Reviews

[E.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Why I am Not a Muslim or The Age of Reason or a no. of other books, this book is a critique of religion. The tone is frank and satirical. Like the 2 other books mentioned above, the author of this book too has quoted the religious sources to show how they are unreasonable, inconsistent and hence cannot be divine. And because this book is on Hinduism, the author has quoted from a no. of texts. This perhaps is the greatest plus point of this book and I am truly astonished at the knowledge of the author.
The book has different short chapters on a no. of themes. Some of the chapters talk of Vedas, Puranas, Geeta, Ramayana, Mahabharata, some deal with questions of morality and rituals like "Shraadha", "Brahman-bhoj", "Pret", "Jyotish" , "Ayurveda" etc etc I was astonished at what our "shastras" actually say. And a bit like "Oh My God" which is one of my fav movies, the most biting satires are reserved for rituals and Brahmins.
Having said that , there are 2 negative issues with this book :-
a) The author makes fun of Geeta and almost every other religious book. But he turns cynical and unreasonable when he says there is nothing worthwhile in Geeta. I do not know Sanskrit, but I have read interpretations and the ideas of "Sthit-pragya" and "nishkaam-karma" make a lot of sense. Infact, initially I thought the author was a typical hater who deliberately misquotes and incites.
b) The author is a soft patriarch. While he criticises men oppressing women in some chapters, he
also criticises women in scriptures who acted independently of their husbands and fathers. Cant be both, right ? Perhaps this was because of the times he lived in.

[Juhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am too naive to comment on such a timeless masterpiece.
As a devotee of Hindi, my reading-self has been searching for Hindi books, sadly only translations of English bestsellers have been dominating the seller's list.
Quest has ended in this book finally
Khattar Kaka is a fiction written in satirical genre that is deft in zipping our preconceived notions about several epics, sciences, literature and art forms and showing us the darker unseen sides.
Notably, it is written in 1971 taking a character from Mithila region, however the arguments leaves the present day reader in awe.The beauty is in the derivations of sanskrit sholkas from puranas, vedas and shashtras which makes take a deep dip in the unexplored oceans while giving us examples from the land we live in.
A complete read!!
If you have not read it , you have missed a soul-stirring adventure ride in life
Don't worry , it will pick you to be read when its the right time :)

[Abhishek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of dialogues written for newspaper mainly targeting the Brahmins and the prevalent blind-faith, beliefs in the Society.
A very enjoyable and thought provoking read.

[lavanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

an xntp decided to write.

[Anil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book. The author is a scholar of vedas and other texts. He also has no hesitation in ripping religous hypocrisy apart. Strongly recommended.

[Nehal Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

खट्टर काका की जय हो

शास्त्रों में ऐसी ऐसी बाते लिखी हे जान के आंखें खुली की
खुली रह जायेगी । हर किसी के जानने लायक

[Mahender Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

हर भारतीय को यह किताब पढ़ने चाहिए। इससे वेद, पुराण,भागवत आदि में क्या है, इसकी पोल चौड़े आ जाती है।

[Aditya Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a treat to read how Harimohan Sir has used his intelligence via Khattarkaka to question the dogmas and superstitions in the society. The arguments are logical, funny and supported by scriptures.

[Naveen Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

भारतीय पौराणिक ग्रंथों पर गंभीर कटाक्ष।

[Vinayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

धर्म के ऊपर एक तथ्यात्मक व्यंग्य

[Saurabh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read. Though satire, it struck on a wide variety of issues in that era that still feels relevant.

[Ravi Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most famous work by Harimohan Jha, this book strikes at the very core of Hindu society paralyzed by rigid caste system with Brahmin at the top. By taking excerpts and verses from various Indian epics like mahabharata, shastras, puranas, Khattar Kaka comments on the superstitions prevailing in India, particularly in rural India has been made. The dialogue between the author and Khattar Kaka is humorous and quite rational. Khattar Kaka, with his wit and scientific logics interprets the texts in a unique manner. A nice read.

[Srinidhi Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

यदि आपको हिन्दू धर्म ग्रंथो की कुरीतियाँ कुतर्क पढने हो तो सब के सब एक साथ एक ही जगह पर अन्क्लित किये हैं हरी मोहन झा ने इस पुस्तक में |
विचारधारा आप अपनी अपना सकते हैं , लेखक ने मात्र कहा कहा क्या क्या कहा गया है ऐसा बतलाया है भावार्थ सहित |

एक बढ़िया पुस्तक , तथ्यों पर आधारित कटाक्ष मारती हुआ तीर

[Sumit Jha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great satirical work by Harimohan Jha. Recommend to read maithili version.

[Nishant]

Do religious feelings crush your internal thoughts? This book has changed my perceptions regarding religion.It vividly describes how we are dictated by the likes of religion(Hinduism) which are mainly encoded by Brahmins only to exploit the commoners and to establish their never ending monopoly in the society.
It contains verses from gita, puran, Mahabharata, Upanishads, charak sanhita, Vedas. It clearly exposes the flaws contained by Manusmriti.A life changing book.Written in a language everyone can easily grasp.
If i have to choose ten books, I will surely go for it.

[Vipul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best critique on Hindu superstition