एक चिहान [Ek Chihan]

by Hridaya Chandra Singh Pradhan, हृदयचन्द्रसिंह प्रधान

In this book the author has interpreted life of a simple Newar family in Kathmandu facing poverty and discrimination by society. The novel shows the situations and reality of people in context of Nepal. This story is about a sick and unwell poor man with family and responsibility, trying to survive in this harsh world.

Genres: Novels, Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

About the author

Hridya Chandra Singh Pradhan was born in 1972 B.S, at Maruhiti, Kathmandu. His childhood name was Chandra Prasad. He was white, lien and dwarf. Early in the life he was caught by asthma at the age of 5years. One day, Hridaya Chandra went to great poet Lekhanath poudel and requested the poet to teach him to write poem. But, the great poet dominated him. He said “you uneducated form Newar community with unclear pronunciation, how can you write the poem? It is not easy to be a poet. You can’t be a poet.” The domination, hate and degradation of poet Lekhanath pushed Hridaya to be a poet. He promised to be a poet in future. In fact, he was not an academically qualified student. His bad health condition compelled him to discontinue his school education. He was from poor family he could not get the nutritious food too. He was a chronic asthma diseased person usually with 102®C fever and continuous coughing. Instead of his worse health condition, he never defeated, he spent his all time to add literal heritage in Nepali literature.

He is not only a poet; he is a dramatist essayist, a successful criticizer of Nepali literature. He is also a progressive writer. His writing pushes the people for patriotism, equality in society and social changes. His writings are against the conservative tradition and domination in the society, Simplicity, clarity, intellectuality, superiority of thought, impressivity is character found in his literature. His some famous creativity are Tis Rupiyako Note, Kehi Nepali Natak, Chheu Lager, jungleko Chita, Maruvumiko Lekhak, Swasni Manchhe, Chhoro Sita, Bhanubhakta Ek Samikshya, Napali Kabya Ra Usaka Pratinidhi Kabi. Next his important output is “Sabda suddi Bichar” which teaches the Nepali to speak Nepali language correctly. It is also answer to Lekhanath Poudel.

It is better to say Hridaya is the first literature to initiate progressive current in Nepali literature. He provided fix roadmap to the upcoming offspring by explaining theoretical and practical aspect of progressive literature with his creative opinion. According to his opinion, people’s literature should not only be simple, understandable by peasants, illiterate and labors, it should not only for people; it should be for upgrading the consciousness of them. Creation without the thought is a dead body. But only the thought is not enough, the art is also essential, according to Hridaya.

Such a progressive literature with chronic asthma could not serve Nepali literature for a long period. During his life, he was caught by T.B. He could get cooperation from no one. He had gone to prime minister; Bishweshwor Prasad Koirala didn’t extend his hand for Pradhan’s worst condition. On later, Pradhan successes to treat his disease in India but lost his six ribs and one part of lung. So he was never a completely a healthy person. He always struggled with disease, starvation, and lack but never tired to write literature. He was so poor. During his treatment, the doctor suggested him to have eggs daily but he could not success to fulfill his needs. His poverty and continues struggle compelled the progressive literature Hridaya Chandra Singh to sleep forever in the lap of god at the age of 44 years in 10th Magh, 2016 B.S.

Reviews

[Ghimire Roshni · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't know how to read this book.I want help from the app to read the book.

[Usha Dhakal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Portrays the common wishes of Nepali farmers ..

[Prajita Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, had this novel confined within our course so read this. The events are so well portrayed. The difficulties that farmer espc. face are defined so well with the help of different characters. When I heard the title 'Ek Chihan' I was not fascinated let's say till the last few chapters but the dialogues and characters got me hooked. Overally, it is a good novel with a great theme of unity and biased side of people.

[Biswas Kafle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mediocre predictable stort with many plotholes. slightly overrated

[Nir Man]

Yes completely shows the bad nature of rich over poor.

[Anand · Rating 4 out of 5]

(please forgive me for my bad nepali 😁🙏)
यो पनि तेहि म कलेज हुँदा नै पढेको थिए । एक चियान ले मलाई उहीँ रमाइलो कलेज को दिन म फर्कौन्छ र्याद आउनछ मलाई उहीँ नेपाली पढाउने गुरु केसब sir , उहाको है भन्ने बानी र उहाको कलेज को 5 को चौचौ तर्कारी खाको काहानी 🤣 ( very private joke)

एक चिहान को कुरा गर्नु पर्दा तेति बेला त मलाई खत्रै लाको थियो र ending पनि ekdam unexpected भर होला म त ungabunga भाको थिए मेरो त जमिन नै bhaseko थियो र र मलाई सिनेमा म रुचि भर होला यो एक चिहान based कुनै movie किन छैन भनी सोचेको थिये किन भनेको yesma full family drama थियो, रमाइलो उस्तै नाटक उस्तौ र मुल संदेश त झन कडा लगेको थियो र मलाई कतै कतै korean masterpiece parasite ko vibes pani akko thiyo sayad धनी र गरिब को gap लाई चित्रण गर्न खोजेको देखेर होला र डाक्टर गोतत्तो prasad ko character ko lagi bhuwan kc thyakkai मिल्छ भनेर साथि हरु सङ रैला पनि हिजो नै गरेको झै लग्क्स तर आज त्यो साथि हरु र ती रमाइलो गफ हरु तेहि एक चिहान म अएको बाढी झै समए को छालहरु ले सब पुरे झै लाग्छ बगाएको झै लाग्छ , एकै चिहान झै लाग्छ र ज्यान सिरिङ भयर आउन्छ।

[Sabin Chhetri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read Ek Chihan over twenty years ago. Recently, I had the opportunity to revisit it. Hridaya Chandra Singh Pradhan, though he lived a short life, made a lasting impact on Nepali literature.

Ek Chihan captures a time when a doctor's fee was merely six rupees, and a monthly household could run on just eight to ten. The novel vividly portrays the lives of poor farmers from that era—their hardships, the exploitation they endured under feudal lords, and the natural calamities that compounded their suffering.

Iread the Indigo Ink edition of this novel, but it had many printing mistakes and lacked proper editing.

I have had a great feelings after reading it again overall though.

[Arvind Rana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read it due to grade 12 syllabus.

The story is good depiction of helpless farmers trying their best to survive in this unforgiving world. It depicts how the poor are suppressed by their surroundings with fake peoples trying to trick them and manipulating them for their own gains.

What i didn't like was the pedophilia. I hate pedophilia in stories, and i think even this story tried to depict that you should not support this kind of behavior and stay away from manipulative peoples. I also felt the last few chapters were very fast paced while the middle section was slow paced.

[Sudip Thapa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally really enjoyed the book till the end. The author has greatly presented the negatives of Nepali society, especially the struggles that are faced by farmers and labourers. Though the novel was written almost 70 years ago, it still speaks the reality of today, making it quite relevant.
However, I felt as though the later parts were quite fast-paced and the dialogue
in some sections to be little dull and less engaging.
Overall, I would definitely recommend it!

[Jubin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book one time read book. Writer Hridaya Chandra Singh Pradhan did a wonderful job portraying a tragic event (1954 AD flood disaster) in a story. I searched for the flood disaster and found out that a house did collapsed in Gyaneshwor due to consistent heavy rainfall. I don't know if the writer was inspired from that event but I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Pringles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it was an OK book overall. Some plot holes can be over looked and believe me, you should. The ending in my opinion was rushed. It would've earned another star from me if the author had taken his time and went on a mediocre pacing.

[Brija · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poor but progressive family.
But I don't understand why should most Nepali novel forcefully end in a sad note! This ending, I feel, at least was not needed. Not much connection with all the story build up before the end.

[Victor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for my 12th Nepali exam as our teacher told us to. i wasnt familiar with it at all until one of my classmates lent me. i still haven’t returned it. I finished it in a day and it truly surprised me and i think i wrote a good answer too.

[Nishan Devkota]

very good

[Suman Baral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything is good but I can't read books

[Saroj Yonjan]

s

[Bp Magar]

I don't know how to read this book.I want help from the app to read the book.

[Bimala Basnyat · Rating 4 out of 5]

pragatishil krantikari upanyas

[Manju Adhikari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overwhelming

[Rupesh]

Worst book🤬🤬

[KAMAL RAI]

Nice

[Sudip Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Shree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn’t really enjoy it while I had to read it for my high school Nepali class but I picked it up after and I’m glad i gave it another chance.

[Susmi Thapa]

Story

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

still think that the ending was very unnecessary

[Bushra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ek Chihan by Parijat is a deeply introspective and emotionally intense Nepali novel that explores themes of love, loss, regret, and existential suffering. Written by one of Nepal’s most celebrated literary figures, Parijat, this novel captures the complexities of human emotions in a way that is both poetic and haunting.

The story revolves around an unnamed protagonist who reminisces about his past, particularly his love for a woman who has passed away. The novel is not just about love but also about the sorrow and emptiness that follow when love is lost. Parijat’s writing is rich with symbolism, philosophical depth, and emotional weight, making Ek Chihan a literary masterpiece.

What makes this novel stand out is its raw and honest exploration of human fragility. The protagonist's inner struggles, his sense of helplessness, and the burden of memories create a deeply moving narrative that lingers in the reader’s mind long after the book is finished. Parijat’s signature poetic style, coupled with her ability to evoke profound emotions, makes Ek Chihan a powerful read.

While the novel is beautifully written, its melancholic tone and deep philosophical undertones may not appeal to all readers. However, for those who appreciate introspective and thought-provoking literature, Ek Chihan is a must-read. It is a book that challenges the reader to reflect on love, loss, and the inevitable passage of time.

[Tisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. Glad that's over.

Had to read this for school, otherwise I would've dnfed this way earlier. And I'm just talking about the shortened version I had to read. I don't know if this was just cause I haven't read that many Nepali novels, but the dialogue was so cringy oh my god. There's also a lot of repeated dialogue. I liked some of the themes discussed within here but felt the ending could've been better.

[Phadindra · Rating 5 out of 5]

i want to read this book because

[isaYArP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t like the ending ☹️

[Saugat Nepal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was in the higher secondary course. But it is a good family drama.