मेरी प्रिय कहानियाँ

by Mannu Bhandari

हिन्दी के कहानी लेखकों में मन्नू भंडारी का अग्रणी स्थान है। उनकी कहानियों में नारी-जीवन के उन अन्तरंग अनुभवों को विशेष रूप से अभिव्यक्ति दी गई है जो उनके नितांत अपने हैं और पुरुष कहानीकारों की रचनाओं में प्रायः नहीं मिलते। वैसे मन्नू भंडारी ने अपने अन्य समकालीन समर्थ लेखकों की तरह ही लगभग सभी पहलुओं पर सशक्त कहानियाँ लिखी हैं।

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Mannu Bhandari was born on April 3, 1931, in Bhanpura, Madhya Pradesh, India. She attended school in Ajmer and later she graduated from Calcutta University in 1949, followed by an M.A. degree in Hindi from the Banaras Hindu University in 1953.
She is wife of famous Hindi writer Rajendra Yadav, with whom she co-wrote the book, Ek Inch Muskaan (A Little Smile).

In post independent Hindi literature many new women writers emerged
and attracted the attention of readers and critics but after initial shining some
of them did not make writing of their successful career. Many women writers
have entered the arena of literary writing. Several highly talented writers have
enriched Hindi literature with their creative writings. To name a few Usha
Priyamvada, Malti Joshi, Dipti Khandelwal, Mridila Garg, Mannu Bhandari,
Shubha Verma are some of the most accomplished contemporary Hindi
women writers. Their writing reflect how modernism, contemporary social
situations and currents and cross currents at life have molded their writing and
subject matter as well as impact on them. Moreover these women writers
have written about Indian women, their pains, conflicts, predicaments against
the background of contemporary India. They have focused their attention not
only on the outer situation and conflict but also on inner turmoil of modern
women. In this reference writer like Mannu Bhandari deserves special
attention. Her contribution to the world of fiction dates to the 6os. She has
written in and experimented with varieties of genres of literature like the short
story novel, political novel, literature for children, drama, screen play, and
dialogues for film etc. Mannu Bhandari has also chaired the directorship of
Premchand Srujanpith in Vikram University, Ujjian. In 2008 Mannu Bhandari
was given for her autobiography Ek Kahani Yah Bhi the prestigious Vyas
Sanmaan for year 2008, which is instituted by the K.K. Birala Foundation and
given every year for outstanding literary work in Hindi authored by Indian citizens.

Reviews

[Ankita Chauhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

मन्नू भंडारी को पहली बार पढ़ने का मौका मिला है। और इसी किताब से पता चला कि रजनीगंधा मन्नू जी की ही कहानी पर आधारित थी। कहानियाँ की भाषा बहुत साधारण है तो एक बहाव बना रहता है। हालाकि कहानी के पात्र इतनी खूबसूरती से रचे गए की वो कहानी के बाद भी एक हकीकत की तरह आपके सामने खड़े होते हैं। मन्नू भंडारी के साहित्य से, उनके लेखन से रू ब रू होने के लिए यह कहानी-संग्रह अच्छा जरिया है।

[Aradhya · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the prologue of this book, Mannu Bhandari says that the stories in this book may or may not be the best-written stories by her, but these are definitely the most precious ones for her. Because these are based on the people she has met in her real life.

The stories have a typical style. The characters are complex and imperfect. They feel a lot of things, want to do a lot of things, but in some or other way, they all feel powerless. They all ARE powerless.

These are real stories. And so they are not light-hearted, happy stories that I generally like to read. And it makes me wonder if my favorite author was happy in her own life or not.

[Animesh Priyadarshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

मन्नू भंडारी हिंदी कथाकाश में एक चमकीला सितारा हैं। स्त्री पक्ष को बेहद सलीके से अपनी कहानियों और उपन्यासों में उन्होंने समेटा है। इस कथा-संग्रह में आपने अपनी लेखनी से नौ बेहतरीन जीवन-चित्रों को उकेरा है। ‘सज़ा’ (इसने मुझे रुला ही दिया), ‘शायद‘, ‘आते जाते यायावर‘ स्त्री के दृष्टिकोण से दुनिया को दिखलाती हैं और प्रश्नों का झंझावत उठाकर रख देती हैं पाठक के मन में। उनकी ‘यही सच है’ कहानी स्त्री को स्त्री के दृष्टिकोण से पूरी कोमलता और उतनी ही बेबाक़ी से दिखलाती है, इस कहानी पर “रजनीगंधा” फ़ीचर फ़िल्म भी बनाई गयी है और वह भी कला और अभिनय की दृष्टि से दर्शक के मन पर एक विशेष छाप छोड़ती है। किंतु यह कहानी उसकी आत्मा है, पठनीय और विचारणीय।

मैं इस संग्रह को सुधी पाठकों के लिए अनुशंसित (recommend) करता हूँ।

[Kumar Gaurav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mannu Bhandari ji needs to be discovered by this generation especially women. To write characters which we all have witnessed and yet labeled as fiction. Such a wizardess. Her stories pull us in her world where each character might look fictional, their emotions are either lived if not seen. Lazy afternoon with her stories should be a ritual for Hindi reading introverts.

[Gorab · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first three stories (अकेली, मजबूरी, नई नौकरी) 5 stars among the collection of 9 stories.
Deals with emotions of old age, loneliness, desire to play with grand kids, staying away from family...
Will be reading more short stories and other novels by her.

[Manish · Rating 5 out of 5]

बढ़िया।

[Gaju Negi · Rating 5 out of 5]

मडयठल

[Koko]

Stories of women and the intricate nitty gritty of their emotions.

[Garima Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favourite story was Rajnigandha.

[Vikas Bhivania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the stories in this book are really good like they hit you straight in the heart and feel so relatable..

[Akash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mannu Bhandari is a remarkable writer who captures human emotions with extraordinary depth and subtlety. Reading her stories is a deeply engaging experience; each tale draws you into the characters’ emotions, struggles, and longings, making them feel vivid and real. Here are a few stories from the collection that captivated me the most with their emotional depth and vivid storytelling-

1) Akeli:

The story depicts a lonely old woman who lost her son long ago and now lives in quiet despair. She places all her hopes on an expected wedding invitation, anxiously preparing for it, but when the invitation never comes, she is left abandoned once again, returning to her empty routine. A poignant portrait of longing, isolation, and unfulfilled expectations.

2) Majboori:

The story shows the helplessness of an old woman who longs for affection. When her son visits after years, she finds joy in caring for her grandson, who stays with her for a few years and becomes her source of purpose and companionship. But when his mother takes him back, he soon forgets her, leaving the old woman in her loneliness.

3) Yahi sach hai:

The story revolves around a young woman torn between her past love and her present relationship. When she unexpectedly meets her former lover, memories and emotions resurface, but she ultimately realizes that the quiet stability of her current partner is her true reality. It highlights the conflict between nostalgia and practical truth in love.
Trivia: The story was adapted into a film "Rajnigandha" (1974).

4) Saza:

The story shows how long court cases can devastate an ordinary family. Accused of fraud, the father’s mental health and social image deteriorate, and the family falls into poverty. The girl and her younger brother have to live in misery at their uncle’s house, burdened with household work and mistreatment. Years of legal and emotional struggle leave their father numb even when finally found not guilty, highlighting the lasting impact of such hardships.

5) Shaayad:

Rakhal works on a ship and must live away from home. During his brief visit after three years, he observes his family’s hardships. Mala frequently speaks of financial worries and neighbors’ help, which irritates him, and it takes time for their children to warm up to him. In the end, Rakhal wonders whether his family will truly miss him or feel relieved when he leaves, capturing his quiet inner conflict.

[Rajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

मेरी तिलमिलाहट एक क्रूर आनंद में बदल गई। जैसे मेरे भी सारे बदले इन औरतों ने चुका दिए। तो सब ओर से हारे-पीटे ये यहां आए हैं मेरे दायरे तोड़ने। और मेरा मन इसके भीतर का सब कुछ जान लेने को अकुलाने लगा। यह सिर्फ़ एक नाटक है या कि इसके पीछे एक हारे हुए मन की कहीं टिक बैठने की आकांक्षा। कहीं से भी तो यह हारा-पिटा नहीं लगता। क्या टूटे संबंध इसे कहीं से भी नहीं तोड़ते? क्या मन की टूटन से यों असंपृक्त रहा जा सकता है?