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Saraswatichandra
In this retelling of Govardhanram Tripathi's sprawling magnum opus, Saraswatichandra, Sameer Acharya makes accessible and brings to life for a modern readership one of Indian literature's great classics. Set in late nineteenth-century India, this is the story of an educated and spiritual young man whose life is at a crossroads. Betrothed to and in love with Kumud, he nevertheless breaks off their engagement due to escalating familial tensions, and leaves Bombay to learn about his country and seek enlightenment. A series of events leads both Kumud, now married, and Saraswatichandra to an ashram, where they must decide how to go on with their lives ... At its heart, this is a novel about an India where tradition and modernity are locked in battle.
296 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 19, 2019
I would have given it 5 stars if it weren't for the sliiiightly weird end and the rather preachy bits in the second half. But I can see why this is Govardhanram Tripati's magnum opus. Sameer Acharya has done a splendid job in retelling it in such a way that it's made it more accessible for us readers (rather than a 2000 paged tome).
August 12, 2018
Review: 3.5/5
The story is set in late 19th century India where we get to meet our protagonists Saraswatichandra & Kumud. Saraswatichandra is from a rich business family living in Bombay with his father, step-mother & step-brother while Kumud is a bright girl from Suvarnapur living with her parents & her feisty younger sister Kusum. As both of them come from well to do families their match was perfect & after their engagement as they wrote letters to each other, they slowly fell in love. But their happy days were numbered as his step-uncle planned a coup to fill the minds of his father & step mother with poison making them believe that he has become selfish & blind in love. Hurt because of his father’s words, Saraswatichandra calls off the wedding & leaves his house to serve the society & make a difference. On the other hand Kumud’s parents decide to get her married. To take a glimpse into the intertwined lives of Kumud & Saraswatichandra do get this book
Read the full review on Just Another Bookaholic
The story is set in late 19th century India where we get to meet our protagonists Saraswatichandra & Kumud. Saraswatichandra is from a rich business family living in Bombay with his father, step-mother & step-brother while Kumud is a bright girl from Suvarnapur living with her parents & her feisty younger sister Kusum. As both of them come from well to do families their match was perfect & after their engagement as they wrote letters to each other, they slowly fell in love. But their happy days were numbered as his step-uncle planned a coup to fill the minds of his father & step mother with poison making them believe that he has become selfish & blind in love. Hurt because of his father’s words, Saraswatichandra calls off the wedding & leaves his house to serve the society & make a difference. On the other hand Kumud’s parents decide to get her married. To take a glimpse into the intertwined lives of Kumud & Saraswatichandra do get this book
Read the full review on Just Another Bookaholic
October 28, 2018
I started reading the book expecting it to be a high voltage emotional turmoil and melodramatic and I will cry my heart out feeling miserable for the two love birds who were madly in love but separated by their own rash decisions and later circumstances ensured that they never become one.
But nothing as such happened. The melancholy and sadness of Saraswatichandra and Kumud never touched my heart and I didn't feel miserable for them.
Rather, I was anguished the way in which the retelling of this classic literature written by Govardhanram Tripathi ends. The Hindu Remarriage Act passed in 1856. Both Kumud and Saraswatichandra were educated and revolutionary in their thinking then why there was a need of a not-so-happy-ending. For me it was rather an anticlimax.
The narrative reads more like the summary of four volumes of the original title. Maybe I am a little harsh about the book. Maybe I was expecting way too much from the book. Maybe you might like it. Every reader is different and their take on the same book is different. So go ahead, pick up the book. Who knows, you might end up liking it.
But nothing as such happened. The melancholy and sadness of Saraswatichandra and Kumud never touched my heart and I didn't feel miserable for them.
Rather, I was anguished the way in which the retelling of this classic literature written by Govardhanram Tripathi ends. The Hindu Remarriage Act passed in 1856. Both Kumud and Saraswatichandra were educated and revolutionary in their thinking then why there was a need of a not-so-happy-ending. For me it was rather an anticlimax.
The narrative reads more like the summary of four volumes of the original title. Maybe I am a little harsh about the book. Maybe I was expecting way too much from the book. Maybe you might like it. Every reader is different and their take on the same book is different. So go ahead, pick up the book. Who knows, you might end up liking it.
September 4, 2018
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"I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publishers."
'Hope is disappointment and disappointment is hope.'
Saraswatichandra by Sameer Acharya is a re-telling of the set of four volumes by Govardhanram Tripathi under the same name. The book is set in the nineteenth century and is the story of Saraswatichandra as well as his associates.
To be honest, it is a rather beautiful re-telling of one of the greatest Indian classics, something I fear isn't very common in today's times. And although things were a little foggy at places, it turned out to be a beautiful novel nonetheless.
The story starts with the life of Saraswatichandra and of the surroundings he has grown up with. Saraswatichandra, a rich family guy who has been betrothed to Kumud, a free-spirited lady who wants to travel and see the world, and help those in need. The two share a rather similar ideology and soon, before they know it, they are in love.
However, something happens and soon, Saraswatichandra has to give up all of his wealth and duties, and even break off his engagement with Kumud and go off, leaving all the worldly affairs behind. Kumud, who is unaware of the circumstances of his departure is heart-broken to hear about her wedding being called off—something she was looking forward to with tons of excitement. And well, that's where the story kicks off. What happens to Kumud after Saraswatichandra leaves her? Where does Saraswatichandra go? What does he do? That is what we discover in the remaining of the novel. And frankly, I quite enjoyed reading it.
There were a few things about the story-line that bothered me a lot. For example, how Saraswatichandra is so stupid before he leaves his worldly affairs behind. I mean, he sees all that is happening in his household. He notices how his step-mother is turning his father against him. He even comes to know of the time when his father stops trusting him and goes on and on against him. Yet, he remains silent. What for?
And then, at a later stage when Kumud stays in the same ashram as Saraswatichandra, her family instantly takes it that the lady is sinning. They don't even bother to ask her before forming an opinion of the woman. Yet, when Kumud meets them, she cries tears of joy. I mean, how bad is that?
But then, when I think of it, I realize that it is only because of how the society was back then. So I can't really blame Acharya for building up characters like this. It isn't his faulty.
What I can blame him, on the other hand, is for keeping the novel so short. I was really looking forward to reading this book and it ended so soon! I wish the book had been at least 350 pages long, enough to engage me in throughout. But well, there's little we can do about that.
On other note, the book was a rather nice one. It had a good pace. The writing style did not go that amazingly well with me, but I managed. Everything else was brilliantly smooth and I loved the book!
"I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from the publishers."
'Hope is disappointment and disappointment is hope.'
Saraswatichandra by Sameer Acharya is a re-telling of the set of four volumes by Govardhanram Tripathi under the same name. The book is set in the nineteenth century and is the story of Saraswatichandra as well as his associates.
To be honest, it is a rather beautiful re-telling of one of the greatest Indian classics, something I fear isn't very common in today's times. And although things were a little foggy at places, it turned out to be a beautiful novel nonetheless.
The story starts with the life of Saraswatichandra and of the surroundings he has grown up with. Saraswatichandra, a rich family guy who has been betrothed to Kumud, a free-spirited lady who wants to travel and see the world, and help those in need. The two share a rather similar ideology and soon, before they know it, they are in love.
However, something happens and soon, Saraswatichandra has to give up all of his wealth and duties, and even break off his engagement with Kumud and go off, leaving all the worldly affairs behind. Kumud, who is unaware of the circumstances of his departure is heart-broken to hear about her wedding being called off—something she was looking forward to with tons of excitement. And well, that's where the story kicks off. What happens to Kumud after Saraswatichandra leaves her? Where does Saraswatichandra go? What does he do? That is what we discover in the remaining of the novel. And frankly, I quite enjoyed reading it.
There were a few things about the story-line that bothered me a lot. For example, how Saraswatichandra is so stupid before he leaves his worldly affairs behind. I mean, he sees all that is happening in his household. He notices how his step-mother is turning his father against him. He even comes to know of the time when his father stops trusting him and goes on and on against him. Yet, he remains silent. What for?
And then, at a later stage when Kumud stays in the same ashram as Saraswatichandra, her family instantly takes it that the lady is sinning. They don't even bother to ask her before forming an opinion of the woman. Yet, when Kumud meets them, she cries tears of joy. I mean, how bad is that?
But then, when I think of it, I realize that it is only because of how the society was back then. So I can't really blame Acharya for building up characters like this. It isn't his faulty.
What I can blame him, on the other hand, is for keeping the novel so short. I was really looking forward to reading this book and it ended so soon! I wish the book had been at least 350 pages long, enough to engage me in throughout. But well, there's little we can do about that.
On other note, the book was a rather nice one. It had a good pace. The writing style did not go that amazingly well with me, but I managed. Everything else was brilliantly smooth and I loved the book!
January 30, 2019
Love is a light emotion with no logic but the limitations of society and its conventions make it complex and heavy.
Saraswatichandra is regarded as one of the epic classics of Indian literature. The series has been originally compiled by Govardhanram Tripathi which has been retold by Sameer Acharya in the book under consideration here.
While I picked up the book, I honestly had high expectations of it because I have been listening to the story of Kumud and Saras for a long time. Their love always mesmerized me and caught me gaping wide mouthed at its story. Saras is an ideal man who abandons all the worldly pleasures for he thinks that his family would never regard Kumud in high respects. Kumud is married off to someone else but the twist and turn of the destiny bring them to a point that marks the biggest stroke of change of their fate.
The pure love of Saras and Kumud is beautiful. It gives you pangs of pain and bliss of happiness. It gives you relief and it gives you despair. You devastate with them, you revel in love with them, you cry with them, and you fall apart with them. The story has an immense potential to captivate its readers but the book fails to hook them. The plain narrative had no lyricism that was expecting of the saga depicted in the book. The writing style lacks the ability to intrigue the readers. What started as the love story dwindled amidst the politics and conspiracies. And it fell short of its flavor by the end, completely. The cover is very attractive but its charm couldn’t last long. Perhaps, I had expected a lot from this book which didn’t seem to interest me at all.
For the rookies, it could be counted as a good one-time read!
Saraswatichandra is regarded as one of the epic classics of Indian literature. The series has been originally compiled by Govardhanram Tripathi which has been retold by Sameer Acharya in the book under consideration here.
While I picked up the book, I honestly had high expectations of it because I have been listening to the story of Kumud and Saras for a long time. Their love always mesmerized me and caught me gaping wide mouthed at its story. Saras is an ideal man who abandons all the worldly pleasures for he thinks that his family would never regard Kumud in high respects. Kumud is married off to someone else but the twist and turn of the destiny bring them to a point that marks the biggest stroke of change of their fate.
The pure love of Saras and Kumud is beautiful. It gives you pangs of pain and bliss of happiness. It gives you relief and it gives you despair. You devastate with them, you revel in love with them, you cry with them, and you fall apart with them. The story has an immense potential to captivate its readers but the book fails to hook them. The plain narrative had no lyricism that was expecting of the saga depicted in the book. The writing style lacks the ability to intrigue the readers. What started as the love story dwindled amidst the politics and conspiracies. And it fell short of its flavor by the end, completely. The cover is very attractive but its charm couldn’t last long. Perhaps, I had expected a lot from this book which didn’t seem to interest me at all.
For the rookies, it could be counted as a good one-time read!
January 28, 2019
The original version was written in Gujarati language by Govardhanram Tripathi and by retelling by Sameer Acharya this book got another milestone, another introduction to the whole nation. Well, admittedly, this is a Platonic Love Story which is set in the late nineteenth century which was British Ruled India. The protagonist Saraswatichandra and Kumud and their hurtful love story. Saraswatichandra belongs to Bombay and Kumud from Gujarat. Nevertheless, most of the part of this book is based from Gujarat only. The Author has described some beautiful rituals of Gujarati community. Their culture, political culture, spirituality, etc.... Due to family vendetta, Saraswatichandra calls off the marriage with Kumud, and she utterly became so heartbroken and depressed. Consequently, she got married to Pramadhan but still her heart and mind were searching for Saraswatichandra. Eventually, due to some ominous reason their lives took a drastic U-turn.. If you ask me about the story, then I would love to inform you all that it was little stretching at the end. I mean the story was absolutely up to the mark. The way their love story has been narrated, it was marvelous and heartbreaking. He has been beautiful appeared the tragedy part of Kumud and the fluctuation or restlessness Of Saraswatichandra towards his beloved Kumud. However, some of the parts were unnecessarily complicated and stretched by him. Especially the part of King Mallaraj. Now the characters and their accretion and enhancement.. Well, in this part I wish I could kiss Govardhanram Ji’s hand. He did a marvelous and impeccable job while building these characters. Like the shyness of Kumud, Strong personality of Saraswatichandra, Gravity of Buddhindhan, Helplessness of Lakshminandan, Priorities of Vidhyachatur and Gunsundari even Villainous Ghuman and Dhurtalal. Hats Off to Govardhanram ji. Though I haven’t read this book in the original language, but Sameer Acharya used simple and classic English (I mean unlike Modern English). I loved the translation part, though, he hasn’t played with the simplicity of Govardhanram Tripathi’s sentiments or his way of narration. Foremost way to maintain someone’s impact of writing. Overall, I loved this book. Except that, stretching part I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks a lot Harpercollins India for sending me this book to review.
Ratings : 4/5
Ratings : 4/5
December 25, 2018
Saraswatichandra
Govardhanram Madhavaram Tripathi
HarperCollins India
2018, Pp- 296
As Mahatma Gandhi describes the book and I agree, it is indeed an “aesthetic delight”.
A Gujarati novel, originally published through 1887-1901, Saraswatichandra is a classic read. Adapted into several plays, serials and films, it is a work of appreciation, well-known for years and acclaimed as one of the masterpieces of Gujarati literature!
As most of you already know, this one here is story of a young, ambitious, and quite charming lawyer Saraswatichandra, engaged to Kumud for marriage. The story takes a turn when the protagonist renounces his home and family and takes on a new name, with new responsibilities towards the world. Kumud, meanwhile, is married off to another suitor. But fate has something else in store for both of them. They cross ways again and their life changes. Read on to find out why and how.
I think, based on the little of adaptations that I’ve seen, that the book is much more than a romance intermittent and with twists. It is, instead, a journey – of a man who seeks to know and give more, a woman who is reduced to a social decision, with her struggle between what her family wants and what she might; and of societies who are woven together in politics and tradition.
A well deserving 4 on 5, Saraswatichandra is a must read.
#bookstagramindia #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #review #bookreview #readdreamrepeat #blogger #bookblogger #delhibookstagrammer #indianblogger #igreads #delhiblogger #unitedbookstagram #delhibookstagramfam #bookishfeatures #bookporn #booknerd #bookstagramfeature #christmasreads #christmas
45 down @htbrunch #htbrunchbookchallenge #BrunchBookChallenge #htbrunch
Govardhanram Madhavaram Tripathi
HarperCollins India
2018, Pp- 296
As Mahatma Gandhi describes the book and I agree, it is indeed an “aesthetic delight”.
A Gujarati novel, originally published through 1887-1901, Saraswatichandra is a classic read. Adapted into several plays, serials and films, it is a work of appreciation, well-known for years and acclaimed as one of the masterpieces of Gujarati literature!
As most of you already know, this one here is story of a young, ambitious, and quite charming lawyer Saraswatichandra, engaged to Kumud for marriage. The story takes a turn when the protagonist renounces his home and family and takes on a new name, with new responsibilities towards the world. Kumud, meanwhile, is married off to another suitor. But fate has something else in store for both of them. They cross ways again and their life changes. Read on to find out why and how.
I think, based on the little of adaptations that I’ve seen, that the book is much more than a romance intermittent and with twists. It is, instead, a journey – of a man who seeks to know and give more, a woman who is reduced to a social decision, with her struggle between what her family wants and what she might; and of societies who are woven together in politics and tradition.
A well deserving 4 on 5, Saraswatichandra is a must read.
#bookstagramindia #bookstagrammer #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #review #bookreview #readdreamrepeat #blogger #bookblogger #delhibookstagrammer #indianblogger #igreads #delhiblogger #unitedbookstagram #delhibookstagramfam #bookishfeatures #bookporn #booknerd #bookstagramfeature #christmasreads #christmas
45 down @htbrunch #htbrunchbookchallenge #BrunchBookChallenge #htbrunch
March 24, 2019
What can I say about the book which was read and appreciated by M. K. Gandhi, many generations have read this novel and highly acclaimed by gujarati community. I have watched many episodes of Saraswatichandra which was aired as an soap opera on Star plus, at that time I didn’t read that much but when I got the book from publisher “Harper Collins India” I was hooked up from the very first page, although I am reading a short version of Saraswatichandra retold by Sameer Acharya, and would like to read original version in gujarati by Govardhanram Tripathi.
The book is set in 19th century and it is all about Saraswatichandra and Kumud, the protagonist saraswatichandra is from a very rich family living in Bombay with his father, step mother and step brother. The event is set at the time of British ruled India, the story is all about Guajarati culture and the rituals they follow at that time.
The writing style of author is simple and easy to understand, the flow of the book is perfect, to be precise original story being retold in short format rather within 290 pages, I think it’s a tuff task not to miss any important event from the original, so Sameer Acharya has done a good job by presenting an historical book in English. The way their love story presented by author is highly acclaimed and it’s really heart throbbing to read this type of story.
I don’t won’t to reveal further, but if you want to read short version in English, I highly recommend this book. A must read for today’s youth who doesn’t know the true meaning of love.
“I received this book from “HarperCollins Publishers India” in exchange for an honest and unbiased review”
October 8, 2018
Saraswatichandra
Saraswatichandra is a four volume classics written in Gujarati. History is evident of the fact that whatever it has to offer it's mind-blowing in every aspect, the very fact lies in the deep tales of the past which often instill the deepest desires in our heart.
The story is set in late 19th century India which centres around the protagonists Saraswatichandra & Kumud. Saraswatichandra is from a rich lady from a family which basically indulges in business & trades (on shore). He lives in Bombay with his father, step-mother & step-brother whereas Kumud is a talented girl from Suvarnapur living with her parents & her mischievous sister Kusum. As both of them come from well known families, aristocratic lineage to be precise, their match was perfect for an aligned arranged marriage & they wrote letters to each other post their nuptial engagement, they eventually fall for each other. However, their easy going loving days & love story remains short due to some problems which interferes in their jovial lives. What's the problem? Will their love be unrequited? Will they ever meet again? To know the complete story, go & grab the book now.
Cover is beautiful & has been designed well considering it's based on a historical story.
Title is catchy, apt & unique.
Language is simple, easy to understand, riveting & beautiful in every aspect!
A must read in every aspect. Worth appraisal & I recommend it to all the readers!
Saraswatichandra is a four volume classics written in Gujarati. History is evident of the fact that whatever it has to offer it's mind-blowing in every aspect, the very fact lies in the deep tales of the past which often instill the deepest desires in our heart.
The story is set in late 19th century India which centres around the protagonists Saraswatichandra & Kumud. Saraswatichandra is from a rich lady from a family which basically indulges in business & trades (on shore). He lives in Bombay with his father, step-mother & step-brother whereas Kumud is a talented girl from Suvarnapur living with her parents & her mischievous sister Kusum. As both of them come from well known families, aristocratic lineage to be precise, their match was perfect for an aligned arranged marriage & they wrote letters to each other post their nuptial engagement, they eventually fall for each other. However, their easy going loving days & love story remains short due to some problems which interferes in their jovial lives. What's the problem? Will their love be unrequited? Will they ever meet again? To know the complete story, go & grab the book now.
Cover is beautiful & has been designed well considering it's based on a historical story.
Title is catchy, apt & unique.
Language is simple, easy to understand, riveting & beautiful in every aspect!
A must read in every aspect. Worth appraisal & I recommend it to all the readers!
May 2, 2025
Saraswatichandra
This book leaves me in awe and left me in void after finishing it.
This book travelled with me more than many other classics and high number of pages as I deeply enjoyed the writing of this book which in particular leaves me in a state of mind not to close this and every time the characters and their conversations haunt me for longer time than usual.
This one might not be appreciated by everyone, as the writing and the plot was set in the 19th century of India, and the characters carry the pure intentions about love and values with morals which might be a funnies thing and not appreciated one in current days.
The Deep line Philosophy this book carries was undercurrent and makes a strong message of independent woman and how their idealistic thoughts can be implemented to make a society and home much stronger. As many of the characters are deeply rooted with human emotions and their love towards their friendship, society and bonding to serve unknown or to maintain such simple things complexed with the kind of writing it injects the reader to fall in love with the characters and their behaviors.
The patience and depth of the story makes much interesting with the literature which makes the culture and evolution of social thought and explores the philosophical and poetic way which makes the reader engaging and unforgettable.
This book leaves me in awe and left me in void after finishing it.
This book travelled with me more than many other classics and high number of pages as I deeply enjoyed the writing of this book which in particular leaves me in a state of mind not to close this and every time the characters and their conversations haunt me for longer time than usual.
This one might not be appreciated by everyone, as the writing and the plot was set in the 19th century of India, and the characters carry the pure intentions about love and values with morals which might be a funnies thing and not appreciated one in current days.
The Deep line Philosophy this book carries was undercurrent and makes a strong message of independent woman and how their idealistic thoughts can be implemented to make a society and home much stronger. As many of the characters are deeply rooted with human emotions and their love towards their friendship, society and bonding to serve unknown or to maintain such simple things complexed with the kind of writing it injects the reader to fall in love with the characters and their behaviors.
The patience and depth of the story makes much interesting with the literature which makes the culture and evolution of social thought and explores the philosophical and poetic way which makes the reader engaging and unforgettable.
September 1, 2025
The book "Saraswatichandra" is set in late nineteenth-century India. This book was written by Govardhanram Tripathi, one of the great writers of that time, and it is considered a classic of great literature. Sameer Acharya tried his best to retell this classic for today's generation.
I watched the "Saraswatichandra" movie in my childhood, and the serial was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. After watching the serial, I learned that it is based on a great book, and I tried to find out more about it. However, the book was only available in Gujarati, and I don't know Gujarati. I delayed reading this book because I wanted to read the original version, but when I couldn't find the original book, I decided to read this version instead. Unfortunately, I was not satisfied with it. I felt the story was moving too fast, and I couldn't connect with the characters. I felt I was missing some major parts of the story. This book might be a good read if you just want to learn about it, but you shouldn't expect too much from it.
I watched the "Saraswatichandra" movie in my childhood, and the serial was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. After watching the serial, I learned that it is based on a great book, and I tried to find out more about it. However, the book was only available in Gujarati, and I don't know Gujarati. I delayed reading this book because I wanted to read the original version, but when I couldn't find the original book, I decided to read this version instead. Unfortunately, I was not satisfied with it. I felt the story was moving too fast, and I couldn't connect with the characters. I felt I was missing some major parts of the story. This book might be a good read if you just want to learn about it, but you shouldn't expect too much from it.
March 16, 2020
i feel what happened towards the end was an injustice to Kusum more than to Kumud and Saraswatichandra...that was a huge disappointment as both Kumud and Saraswatichandra was well educated and still the decision they made was horrible ...
but one thing I can say is that the story taught me how important communication is and lack of communication can result in pain for your loved ones and how someone's life can be destroyed because of it ..
but one thing I can say is that the story taught me how important communication is and lack of communication can result in pain for your loved ones and how someone's life can be destroyed because of it ..
January 10, 2020
The book is a good retelling of the classic.
brings a right note spiritual awakening towards the end..!
brings a right note spiritual awakening towards the end..!
June 8, 2021
Well written. Easy to read Indian English retelling of a classic Gujarati saga.
July 13, 2020
Saraswatichandra leaves his house, calling off his marriage with the beautiful Kumud when his own father fails to understand him and turns against him hearing the words of his stepmother and her brother.
Kumud hearing this is broken down but her family soon marries her off to another man. But kumud and Saraswatichandra were deeply in love through letters send and received when their marriage was fixed and couldn't forget one another. The love returns but couldn't be expressed when fate brings them under the same roof once again.
Kumud hearing this is broken down but her family soon marries her off to another man. But kumud and Saraswatichandra were deeply in love through letters send and received when their marriage was fixed and couldn't forget one another. The love returns but couldn't be expressed when fate brings them under the same roof once again.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews