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कफ़न
This short story first published by Jamia, in 1936 is a sharp critique on human selfishness. A quintessential Premchand story.
7 pages
First published January 1, 1935
About the author
Munshi Premchand
1,108 books1,249 followersMunshi Premchand (Hindi: मुंशी प्रेमचंद) was an Indian writer famous for his modern Hindustani literature. He is one of the most celebrated writers of the Indian subcontinent,and is regarded as one of the foremost Hindustani writers of the early twentieth century.
Born Dhanpat Rai, he began writing under the pen name "Nawab Rai", but subsequently switched to "Premchand", while he is also known as "Munshi Premchand", Munshi being an honorary prefix. A novel writer, story writer and dramatist, he has been referred to as the "Upanyas Samrat" ("Emperor among Novelists") by some Hindi writers. His works include more than a dozen novels, around 250 short stories, several essays and translations of a number of foreign literary works into Hindi.
Premchand is considered the first Hindi author whose writings prominently featured realism. His novels describe the problems of the poor and the urban middle-class. His works depict a rationalistic outlook, which views religious values as something that allows the powerful hypocrites to exploit the weak. He used literature for the purpose of arousing public awareness about national and social issues and often wrote about topics related to corruption, child widowhood, prostitution, feudal system, poverty, colonialism and on the India's freedom movement.
Several of his early works, such as A Little Trick and A Moral Victory, satirised the Indians who cooperated with the British colonial government.
In the 1920s, he was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement and the accompanying struggle for social reform. During this period, his works dealt with the social issues such as poverty, zamindari exploitation (Premashram, 1922), dowry system (Nirmala, 1925), educational reform and political oppression (Karmabhumi, 1931).
In his last days, he focused on village life as a stage for complex drama, as seen in his most famous work Godan as well as the short-story collection Kafan (1936).Premchand believed that social realism was the way for Hindi literature, as opposed to the "feminine quality", tenderness and emotion of the contemporary Bengali literature.
Born Dhanpat Rai, he began writing under the pen name "Nawab Rai", but subsequently switched to "Premchand", while he is also known as "Munshi Premchand", Munshi being an honorary prefix. A novel writer, story writer and dramatist, he has been referred to as the "Upanyas Samrat" ("Emperor among Novelists") by some Hindi writers. His works include more than a dozen novels, around 250 short stories, several essays and translations of a number of foreign literary works into Hindi.
Premchand is considered the first Hindi author whose writings prominently featured realism. His novels describe the problems of the poor and the urban middle-class. His works depict a rationalistic outlook, which views religious values as something that allows the powerful hypocrites to exploit the weak. He used literature for the purpose of arousing public awareness about national and social issues and often wrote about topics related to corruption, child widowhood, prostitution, feudal system, poverty, colonialism and on the India's freedom movement.
Several of his early works, such as A Little Trick and A Moral Victory, satirised the Indians who cooperated with the British colonial government.
In the 1920s, he was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's non-cooperation movement and the accompanying struggle for social reform. During this period, his works dealt with the social issues such as poverty, zamindari exploitation (Premashram, 1922), dowry system (Nirmala, 1925), educational reform and political oppression (Karmabhumi, 1931).
In his last days, he focused on village life as a stage for complex drama, as seen in his most famous work Godan as well as the short-story collection Kafan (1936).Premchand believed that social realism was the way for Hindi literature, as opposed to the "feminine quality", tenderness and emotion of the contemporary Bengali literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
January 15, 2022
'Kafan' or 'Shroud' is a wonderful composition of short stories written by the idealist-reformist Munshi Premchand. These stories are a perfect combination of idealism and realism which traces the socio-economic structure of the feudal colonial alliance and its inhuman/brutal form under the pretext of helplessness and inhumanity. Premchand does not create a clash of realism and viewpoints in these stories but he shows the direction and reveals his convictions regarding the values that are worth living for, slogging for, and dying for.
There are so many characters and they are not confined to a single class, religion, caste and thought process. The characters are written so beautifully that you end up falling in love with the various aspects of each one. The book is full of rich and vivid conversations and such different perspectives are put forth that you have to pause often and think. I have read it a few times and every time I am moved so deeply.
Premchand coined the real India in his stories which gives a true insight into the lives of Indians. The description of the tragedies of farmers, the condition of the society during early India, the importance of both the male and female to lead an enormous life. All this is and many more philosophies are compiled very nicely in this book.
There are so many characters and they are not confined to a single class, religion, caste and thought process. The characters are written so beautifully that you end up falling in love with the various aspects of each one. The book is full of rich and vivid conversations and such different perspectives are put forth that you have to pause often and think. I have read it a few times and every time I am moved so deeply.
Premchand coined the real India in his stories which gives a true insight into the lives of Indians. The description of the tragedies of farmers, the condition of the society during early India, the importance of both the male and female to lead an enormous life. All this is and many more philosophies are compiled very nicely in this book.
October 25, 2018
Kafan must be one of the best stories in not just in Hindi but world literature. Marcus Garvey truly captures the spirit of Kafan as follows:
"Poverty is a hellish state to be in.
It is no virtue.
It is a crime.
To be poor is
to be hungry without possible hope of food;
to be sick without hope of medicine;
to be tired and sleepy without a place to lay one's head;
to be naked without the hope of clothing;
to be despised and comfortless.
To be poor is to be a fit subject for crime and hell." - Marcus Garvey.
Premchand in this short story shows us the true ugly face of poverty. Poverty dehumanizes human beings. There is not much difference between an animal and poor person.It Robs us of the things which makes us human like compassion, sympathy, self respect, magnanimity, self actualization etc. Maslow also said that if the basic needs are not fulfilled the higher needs remains untouched forget about fulfilling them.
Its a black comedy. Its humor is just a mask to hide the ugly truth which Munshiji wants to convey. It would have been comic if the implications are not so horrible.
But what makes it contender for truly great story of world is that if it leads you to start thinking you will definitely become a better human being.
Some dalit activist in India say that it is too casteist and as the protagonists are from lower caste it shows them in bad light. But i disagree. I think Premchand has the utmost respect for the dalits and he constantly brought out their plight through his writings.
Please read and you will be a changed person.
P.S. I guess Anush Rizvi said that her movie Peepli Live is inspired by Kafan.
"Poverty is a hellish state to be in.
It is no virtue.
It is a crime.
To be poor is
to be hungry without possible hope of food;
to be sick without hope of medicine;
to be tired and sleepy without a place to lay one's head;
to be naked without the hope of clothing;
to be despised and comfortless.
To be poor is to be a fit subject for crime and hell." - Marcus Garvey.
Premchand in this short story shows us the true ugly face of poverty. Poverty dehumanizes human beings. There is not much difference between an animal and poor person.It Robs us of the things which makes us human like compassion, sympathy, self respect, magnanimity, self actualization etc. Maslow also said that if the basic needs are not fulfilled the higher needs remains untouched forget about fulfilling them.
Its a black comedy. Its humor is just a mask to hide the ugly truth which Munshiji wants to convey. It would have been comic if the implications are not so horrible.
But what makes it contender for truly great story of world is that if it leads you to start thinking you will definitely become a better human being.
Some dalit activist in India say that it is too casteist and as the protagonists are from lower caste it shows them in bad light. But i disagree. I think Premchand has the utmost respect for the dalits and he constantly brought out their plight through his writings.
Please read and you will be a changed person.
P.S. I guess Anush Rizvi said that her movie Peepli Live is inspired by Kafan.
July 3, 2018
Part of syllabus in school.
January 7, 2013
Nobody writes better short stories than Munsi Premchand.
September 4, 2022
A short story about a poor village woman, writhing in the throes of labour, while her good-for-nothing husband Madhav and his equally hopeless father sit outside roasting stolen potatoes and reminiscing about a grand banquet...
Classic Premchand: in so few words, he paints such a vivid picture of human emotion, of human nature. There are only two main characters in this story, and they're thoroughly unlikeable—so low, so unfeeling, so devoid of any depth, that they will stoop to even benefiting from the death of the only person who looked after them. And yet: there is an insight into (perhaps) why Gheesoo and Madhav are like this, what makes them so bereft of common human decency. This is what I admire about Premchand: with a few dialogues, a couple of hard-hitting scenes, he is able to delve deep, to show human nature, with all its weaknesses, all its frailties, all its vulnerabilities. Eventually, while I could not help but despise these two men, I could not also help feel some pity for them, for their plight.
Classic Premchand: in so few words, he paints such a vivid picture of human emotion, of human nature. There are only two main characters in this story, and they're thoroughly unlikeable—so low, so unfeeling, so devoid of any depth, that they will stoop to even benefiting from the death of the only person who looked after them. And yet: there is an insight into (perhaps) why Gheesoo and Madhav are like this, what makes them so bereft of common human decency. This is what I admire about Premchand: with a few dialogues, a couple of hard-hitting scenes, he is able to delve deep, to show human nature, with all its weaknesses, all its frailties, all its vulnerabilities. Eventually, while I could not help but despise these two men, I could not also help feel some pity for them, for their plight.
July 18, 2015
Kafan must be one of the best stories in not just in Hindi but world literature. Marcus Garvey truly captures the spirit of Kafan as follows:
"Poverty is a hellish state to be in.
It is no virtue.
It is a crime.
To be poor is
to be hungry without possible hope of food;
to be sick without hope of medicine;
to be tired and sleepy without a place to lay one's head;
to be naked without the hope of clothing;
to be despised and comfortless.
To be poor is to be a fit subject for crime and hell." - Marcus Garvey.
This is wikipedia summary in hindi:
इसका प्रारंभ इस प्रकार होता है- झोंपड़े के द्वार पर बाप और बेटा दोनों एक बुझे हुए अलाव के सामने चुपचाप बैठे हुए हैं और अंदर बेटे की जवान बीवी बुधिया प्रसव वेदना से पछाड़ खा रही थी। रह-रहकर उसके मुँह से ऐसी दिल हिला देने वाली आवाज़ निकलती थी कि दोनों कलेजा थाम लेते थे। जाड़ों की रात थी, प्रकृत्ति सन्नाटे में डूबी हुई, सारा गाँव अंधकार में लय हो गया था। जब निसंग भाव से कहता है कि वह बचेगी नहीं तो माधव चिढ़कर उत्तर देता है कि मरना है तो जल्दी ही क्यों नहीं मर जाती-देखकर भी वह क्या कर लेगा। लगता है जैसे कहानी के प्रारंभ में ही बड़े सांकेतिक ढंग से प्रेमचंद इशारा कर रहे हैं और भाव का अँधकार में लय हो जाना मानो पूँजीवादी व्यवस्था का ही प्रगाढ़ होता हुआ अंधेरा है जो सारे मानवीय मूल्यों, सद्भाव और आत्मीयता को रौंदता हुआ निर्मम भाव से बढ़ता जा रहा है। इस औरत ने घर को एक व्यवस्था दी थी, पिसाई करके या घास छिलकर वह इन दोनों बगैरतों का दोजख भरती रही है। और आज ये दोनों इंतजार में है कि वह मर जाये, तो आराम से सोयें। आकाशवृत्ति पर जिंदा रहने वाले बाप-बेटे के लिए भुने हुए आलुओं की कीमत उस मरती हुई औरत से ज्यादा है। उनमें कोई भी इस डर से उसे देखने नहीं जाना चाहता कि उसके जाने पर दूसरा आदमी सारे आलू खा जायेगा। हलक और तालू जल जाने की चिंता किये बिना जिस तेजी से वे गर्म आलू खा रहे हैं उससे उनकी मारक गरीबी का अनुमान सहज ही हो जाता है। यह विसंगति कहानी की संपूर्ण संरचना के साथ विडंबनात्मक ढंग से जुड़ी हुई है। घीसू को बीस साल पहले हुई ठाकुर की बारात याद आती है-चटनी, राइता, तीन तरह के सूखे साग, एक रसेदार तरकारी, दही, चटनी, मिठाई। अब क्या बताऊँ कि उस भोज में क्या स्वाद मिला।...लोगों ने ऐसा खाया, किसी से पानी न पिया गया।..। यह वर्णन अपने ब्योरे में काफी आकर्षक ही नहीं बल्कि भोजन के प्रति पाठकीय संवेदना को धारदार बना देता है। इसके बाद प्रेमचंद लिखते हैं- और बुधिया अभी कराह रही थी। इस प्रकार ठाकुर की बारात का वर्णन अमानवीयता को ठोस बनाने में पूरी सहायता करता है।
कफन एक ऐसी सामाजिक व्यवस्था की कहानी है जो श्रम के प्रति आदमी में हतोत्साह पैदा करती है क्योंकि उस श्रम की कोई सार्थकता उसे नहीं दिखायी देती है। क्योंकि जिस समाज में रात-दिन मेहनत करने वालों की हालत उनकी हालत से बहुत-कुछ अच्छी नहीं थी और किसानों के मुकाबले में वे लोग, जो किसानों की दुर्बलताओं से लाभ उठाना जानते थे, कहीं ज्यादा संपन्न थे, वहाँ इस तरह की मनोवृत्ति का पैदा हो जाना कोई अचरज की बात न थी।... फिर भी उसे तक्सीन तो थी ही कि अगर वह फटेहाल है तो कम से कम उसे किसानों की-सी जी-तोड़ मेहनत तो नहीं करनी पड़ती। उसकी सरलता और निरीहता से दूसरे लोग बेज़ा फायदा तो नहीं उठाते। बीस साल तक यह व्यवस्था आदमी को भर पेट भोजन के बिना रखती है इसलिए आवश्यक नहीं कि अपने परिवार के ही एक सदस्य के मरने-जीने से ज्यादा चिंता उन्हें अपने पेट भरने की होती है। औरत के मर जाने पर कफन का चंदा हाथ में आने पर उनकी नियत बदलने लगती है, हल्के से कफन की बात पर दोनों एकमत हो जाते हैं कि लाश उठते-उठते रात हो जायेगी। रात को कफन कौन देखता है? कफन लाश के साथ जल ही तो जाता है। और फिर उस हल्के कफन को लिये बिना ही ये लोग उस कफन के चन्दे के पैसे को शराब, पूड़ियों, चटनी, अचार और कलेजियों पर खर्च कर देते हैं। अपने भोजन की तृप्ति से ही दोनों बुधिया की सद्गति की कल्पना कर लेते हैं-हमारी आत्मा प्रसन्न हो रही है तो क्या उसे सुख नहीं मिलेगा। जरूर से जरूर मिलेगा। भगवान तुम अंतर्यामी हो। उसे बैकुण्ठ ले जाना। अपनी आत्मा की प्रसन्नता पहले जरूरी है, संसार और भगवान की प्रसन्नता की कोई जरूरत है भी तो बाद में।
अपनी उम्र के अनुरूप घीसू ज्यादा समझदार है। उसे मालूम है कि लोग कफन की व्यवस्था करेंगे-भले ही इस बार रूपया उनके हाथ में न आवे.नशे की हालत में माधव जब पत्नी के अथाह दुःख भोगने की सोचकर रोने लगता है तो घीसू उसे चुप कराता है-हमारे परंपरागत ज्ञान के सहारे कि मर कर वह मुक्त हो गयी है। और इस जंजाल से छूट गयी है। नशे में नाचते-गाते, उछलते-कूदते, सभी ओर से बेखबर और मदमस्त, वे वहीं गिर कर ढेर हो जाते हैं।
Premchand in this short story shows us the true ugly face of poverty. Poverty dehumanizes human beings. There is not much difference between an animal and poor person.It Robs us of the things which makes us human like compassion, sympathy, self respect, magnanimity, self actualization etc. Maslow also said that if the basic needs are not fulfilled the higher needs remains untouched forget about fulfilling them.
Its a black comedy. Its humor is just a mask to hide the ugly truth which Munshiji wants to convey. It would have been comic if the implications are not so horrible.
But what makes it contender for truly great story of world is that if it leads you to start thinking you will definitely become a better human being.
Some dalit activist in India say that it is too casteist and as the protagonists are from lower caste it shows them in bad light. But i disagree. I think Premchand has the utmost respect for the dalits and he constantly brought out their plight through his writings.
Please read and you will be a changed person.
P.S. I guess Anush Rizvi said that her movie Peepli Live is inspired by Kafan.
"Poverty is a hellish state to be in.
It is no virtue.
It is a crime.
To be poor is
to be hungry without possible hope of food;
to be sick without hope of medicine;
to be tired and sleepy without a place to lay one's head;
to be naked without the hope of clothing;
to be despised and comfortless.
To be poor is to be a fit subject for crime and hell." - Marcus Garvey.
This is wikipedia summary in hindi:
इसका प्रारंभ इस प्रकार होता है- झोंपड़े के द्वार पर बाप और बेटा दोनों एक बुझे हुए अलाव के सामने चुपचाप बैठे हुए हैं और अंदर बेटे की जवान बीवी बुधिया प्रसव वेदना से पछाड़ खा रही थी। रह-रहकर उसके मुँह से ऐसी दिल हिला देने वाली आवाज़ निकलती थी कि दोनों कलेजा थाम लेते थे। जाड़ों की रात थी, प्रकृत्ति सन्नाटे में डूबी हुई, सारा गाँव अंधकार में लय हो गया था। जब निसंग भाव से कहता है कि वह बचेगी नहीं तो माधव चिढ़कर उत्तर देता है कि मरना है तो जल्दी ही क्यों नहीं मर जाती-देखकर भी वह क्या कर लेगा। लगता है जैसे कहानी के प्रारंभ में ही बड़े सांकेतिक ढंग से प्रेमचंद इशारा कर रहे हैं और भाव का अँधकार में लय हो जाना मानो पूँजीवादी व्यवस्था का ही प्रगाढ़ होता हुआ अंधेरा है जो सारे मानवीय मूल्यों, सद्भाव और आत्मीयता को रौंदता हुआ निर्मम भाव से बढ़ता जा रहा है। इस औरत ने घर को एक व्यवस्था दी थी, पिसाई करके या घास छिलकर वह इन दोनों बगैरतों का दोजख भरती रही है। और आज ये दोनों इंतजार में है कि वह मर जाये, तो आराम से सोयें। आकाशवृत्ति पर जिंदा रहने वाले बाप-बेटे के लिए भुने हुए आलुओं की कीमत उस मरती हुई औरत से ज्यादा है। उनमें कोई भी इस डर से उसे देखने नहीं जाना चाहता कि उसके जाने पर दूसरा आदमी सारे आलू खा जायेगा। हलक और तालू जल जाने की चिंता किये बिना जिस तेजी से वे गर्म आलू खा रहे हैं उससे उनकी मारक गरीबी का अनुमान सहज ही हो जाता है। यह विसंगति कहानी की संपूर्ण संरचना के साथ विडंबनात्मक ढंग से जुड़ी हुई है। घीसू को बीस साल पहले हुई ठाकुर की बारात याद आती है-चटनी, राइता, तीन तरह के सूखे साग, एक रसेदार तरकारी, दही, चटनी, मिठाई। अब क्या बताऊँ कि उस भोज में क्या स्वाद मिला।...लोगों ने ऐसा खाया, किसी से पानी न पिया गया।..। यह वर्णन अपने ब्योरे में काफी आकर्षक ही नहीं बल्कि भोजन के प्रति पाठकीय संवेदना को धारदार बना देता है। इसके बाद प्रेमचंद लिखते हैं- और बुधिया अभी कराह रही थी। इस प्रकार ठाकुर की बारात का वर्णन अमानवीयता को ठोस बनाने में पूरी सहायता करता है।
कफन एक ऐसी सामाजिक व्यवस्था की कहानी है जो श्रम के प्रति आदमी में हतोत्साह पैदा करती है क्योंकि उस श्रम की कोई सार्थकता उसे नहीं दिखायी देती है। क्योंकि जिस समाज में रात-दिन मेहनत करने वालों की हालत उनकी हालत से बहुत-कुछ अच्छी नहीं थी और किसानों के मुकाबले में वे लोग, जो किसानों की दुर्बलताओं से लाभ उठाना जानते थे, कहीं ज्यादा संपन्न थे, वहाँ इस तरह की मनोवृत्ति का पैदा हो जाना कोई अचरज की बात न थी।... फिर भी उसे तक्सीन तो थी ही कि अगर वह फटेहाल है तो कम से कम उसे किसानों की-सी जी-तोड़ मेहनत तो नहीं करनी पड़ती। उसकी सरलता और निरीहता से दूसरे लोग बेज़ा फायदा तो नहीं उठाते। बीस साल तक यह व्यवस्था आदमी को भर पेट भोजन के बिना रखती है इसलिए आवश्यक नहीं कि अपने परिवार के ही एक सदस्य के मरने-जीने से ज्यादा चिंता उन्हें अपने पेट भरने की होती है। औरत के मर जाने पर कफन का चंदा हाथ में आने पर उनकी नियत बदलने लगती है, हल्के से कफन की बात पर दोनों एकमत हो जाते हैं कि लाश उठते-उठते रात हो जायेगी। रात को कफन कौन देखता है? कफन लाश के साथ जल ही तो जाता है। और फिर उस हल्के कफन को लिये बिना ही ये लोग उस कफन के चन्दे के पैसे को शराब, पूड़ियों, चटनी, अचार और कलेजियों पर खर्च कर देते हैं। अपने भोजन की तृप्ति से ही दोनों बुधिया की सद्गति की कल्पना कर लेते हैं-हमारी आत्मा प्रसन्न हो रही है तो क्या उसे सुख नहीं मिलेगा। जरूर से जरूर मिलेगा। भगवान तुम अंतर्यामी हो। उसे बैकुण्ठ ले जाना। अपनी आत्मा की प्रसन्नता पहले जरूरी है, संसार और भगवान की प्रसन्नता की कोई जरूरत है भी तो बाद में।
अपनी उम्र के अनुरूप घीसू ज्यादा समझदार है। उसे मालूम है कि लोग कफन की व्यवस्था करेंगे-भले ही इस बार रूपया उनके हाथ में न आवे.नशे की हालत में माधव जब पत्नी के अथाह दुःख भोगने की सोचकर रोने लगता है तो घीसू उसे चुप कराता है-हमारे परंपरागत ज्ञान के सहारे कि मर कर वह मुक्त हो गयी है। और इस जंजाल से छूट गयी है। नशे में नाचते-गाते, उछलते-कूदते, सभी ओर से बेखबर और मदमस्त, वे वहीं गिर कर ढेर हो जाते हैं।
Premchand in this short story shows us the true ugly face of poverty. Poverty dehumanizes human beings. There is not much difference between an animal and poor person.It Robs us of the things which makes us human like compassion, sympathy, self respect, magnanimity, self actualization etc. Maslow also said that if the basic needs are not fulfilled the higher needs remains untouched forget about fulfilling them.
Its a black comedy. Its humor is just a mask to hide the ugly truth which Munshiji wants to convey. It would have been comic if the implications are not so horrible.
But what makes it contender for truly great story of world is that if it leads you to start thinking you will definitely become a better human being.
Some dalit activist in India say that it is too casteist and as the protagonists are from lower caste it shows them in bad light. But i disagree. I think Premchand has the utmost respect for the dalits and he constantly brought out their plight through his writings.
Please read and you will be a changed person.
P.S. I guess Anush Rizvi said that her movie Peepli Live is inspired by Kafan.
May 3, 2010
hmm........
what I say about the book. A very heart-touching short story by famous hindi writer. A usual pattern always i saw in his writing like related to social problem, simple language, some heart-touching movement, real presentation of human nature, poverty and a very different kind of ending. I think, since he was from a mediocre family this was the reason that he can easily present the real picture of problem faced by the lower group of society and the situations are very realistic. Some of readers might be disagree with my opinion but it is only because they haven't seen or experienced such poverty.in short, all his stories are a perfect combination of idealism and realism having a social massage with some heart-touching movements, especially for those who has experienced poverty closely.
what I say about the book. A very heart-touching short story by famous hindi writer. A usual pattern always i saw in his writing like related to social problem, simple language, some heart-touching movement, real presentation of human nature, poverty and a very different kind of ending. I think, since he was from a mediocre family this was the reason that he can easily present the real picture of problem faced by the lower group of society and the situations are very realistic. Some of readers might be disagree with my opinion but it is only because they haven't seen or experienced such poverty.in short, all his stories are a perfect combination of idealism and realism having a social massage with some heart-touching movements, especially for those who has experienced poverty closely.
June 1, 2022
Well written 👍🏻
July 4, 2023
What an absolutely powerful short story about human nature by Munshi jee. The amount of atmosphere that he is able to build in such a short time, of the characters, the villagers, and the village itself is so delightful to read. Whilst the story itself deal with heavy topics, this story manages to dig into human nature and present the complexity of it in the most brilliant way.
October 6, 2025
No decorations, no metaphors, just pure facts straight at the face of your being. The author stands out for his bluntness on the tender and sensitive issues that he talks about in his books while being detached but still not indifferent towards it.
This story makes you grieve and feel helpless down till your very soul. The writing so simple and effective and the story so impactful that the existential fatigue is felt right in our bones.
The lives of the characters are so dreadful that they make morals rot and even grief decay. Sheer helplessness, as if gravitating towards a blackhole, from where you see no way out. However, what makes it stand out is that Premchand doesn't mourn their situation, neither does he critique their false decisions, but simply puts it to us like a mirror to see and gloom.
This story makes you grieve and feel helpless down till your very soul. The writing so simple and effective and the story so impactful that the existential fatigue is felt right in our bones.
The lives of the characters are so dreadful that they make morals rot and even grief decay. Sheer helplessness, as if gravitating towards a blackhole, from where you see no way out. However, what makes it stand out is that Premchand doesn't mourn their situation, neither does he critique their false decisions, but simply puts it to us like a mirror to see and gloom.
January 14, 2020
I loved these stories. So simple yet so profound. 💯
October 29, 2025
Merciless and Heartless
April 24, 2016
“कैसा बुरा रिवाज है कि जिसे जीते जी तन ढाँकने को चीथड़ा भी न मिले, उसे मरने पर नया कफ़न चाहिए।”
३१ जुलाइ मेरे मन में हमेशा के लिए हैरी पॉटर के जनमदिन से जुड़ गया है| लेकिन रात के बराबर १२ बजे गूगल ने मुझे याद दिलाया कि १८८० में इसी दिन पर एक उत्कृष्ट भारतीय लेखक का भी जनम हुआ था: मुंशी प्रेमचंद| जब मैं स्कूल में थी, मुझे उनकी कहानियाँ बोहोत पसंद थी| लेकिन अफसोस, स्कूल के बाद इन पिछले दस सालों में मैंने कभी हिन्दी पढ़ने की हिम्मत नहीं की| काश किया होता, तो आज मुझे नौ पृष्ठ पढ़नें में इतनी तकलीफ़ नहीं होती... पूरे दो घंटे लग गए! अब उन्ही का वर्णन करने में ना जाने कितना वक्त गवाँना पड़ेगा!
यह कहानी घोर गरीबी के बारे में है। गुडरीड्स पर कुछ लोगों ने लिखा है कि यह कहानी द्वार लेखक हमें दिखाना चाहते थे कि गरीबी का मानव प्रकृति और दृष्टिकोण पर विनाशकारी प्रभाव हो सकता है| लेकिन यह मेरी व्याख्या नहीं है। प्रेमचंद दयावान थे, इसका मुझे कोई शक नहीं| अगर उनमें सहानुभूति नहीं होती तो घीसू और माधव जैसे बेरहम शक्स के लिए पढ़नेवालों के दिल दुःख और व्यथा से नहीं भरते| दोनों के निर्लज्ज हास्य में भी गंभीरता मिली हुई है; उनके लालच में सिर्फ़ और सिर्फ़ निराशा दिखाई देती है... यह कहानी इन जैसे गरीबी से पीड़ित लोगों के लिए एक प्रार्थना है|
अंततः इस कहानी में प्रेमचंद का लेखन अद्भुत और आवाहक है| शब्द नदी के तरह बहते हैं:
“ज्यों-ज्यों अँधेरा बढ़ता था और सितारों की चमक तेज होती थी, मधुशाला की रौनक भी बढ़ती जाती थी। कोई गाता था, कोई डींग मारता था, कोई अपने संगी के गले लिपटा जाता था। कोई अपने दोस्त के मुँह में कुल्हड़ लगाये देता था।
वहाँ के वातावरण में सरूर था, हवा में नशा। कितने तो यहाँ आकर एक चुल्लू में मस्त हो जाते थे। शराब से ज्यादा यहाँ की हवा उन पर नशा करती थी। जीवन की बाधाएँ यहाँ खींच लाती थीं और कुछ देर के लिए यह भूल जाते थे कि वे जीते हैं या मरते हैं। या न जीते हैं, न मरते हैं।”
October 11, 2015
Kafan must be one of the best stories in not just in Hindi but world literature. Marcus Garvey truly captures the spirit of Kafan as follows:
"Poverty is a hellish state to be in.
It is no virtue.
It is a crime.
To be poor is
to be hungry without possible hope of food;
to be sick without hope of medicine;
to be tired and sleepy without a place to lay one's head;
to be naked without the hope of clothing;
to be despised and comfortless.
To be poor is to be a fit subject for crime and hell." - Marcus Garvey.
Premchand in this short story shows us the true ugly face of poverty. Poverty dehumanizes human beings. There is not much difference between an animal and poor person.It Robs us of the things which makes us human like compassion, sympathy, self respect, magnanimity, self actualization etc. Maslow also said that if the basic needs are not fulfilled the higher needs remains untouched forget about fulfilling them.
Its a black comedy. Its humor is just a mask to hide the ugly truth which Munshiji wants to convey. It would have been comic if the implications are not so horrible.
But what makes it contender for truly great story of world is that if it leads you to start thinking you will definitely become a better human being.
Some dalit activist in India say that it is too casteist and as the protagonists are from lower caste it shows them in bad light. But i disagree. I think Premchand has the utmost respect for the dalits and he constantly brought out their plight through his writings.
Please read and you will be a changed person.
P.S. I guess Anush Rizvi said that her movie Peepli Live is inspired by Kafan.
"Poverty is a hellish state to be in.
It is no virtue.
It is a crime.
To be poor is
to be hungry without possible hope of food;
to be sick without hope of medicine;
to be tired and sleepy without a place to lay one's head;
to be naked without the hope of clothing;
to be despised and comfortless.
To be poor is to be a fit subject for crime and hell." - Marcus Garvey.
Premchand in this short story shows us the true ugly face of poverty. Poverty dehumanizes human beings. There is not much difference between an animal and poor person.It Robs us of the things which makes us human like compassion, sympathy, self respect, magnanimity, self actualization etc. Maslow also said that if the basic needs are not fulfilled the higher needs remains untouched forget about fulfilling them.
Its a black comedy. Its humor is just a mask to hide the ugly truth which Munshiji wants to convey. It would have been comic if the implications are not so horrible.
But what makes it contender for truly great story of world is that if it leads you to start thinking you will definitely become a better human being.
Some dalit activist in India say that it is too casteist and as the protagonists are from lower caste it shows them in bad light. But i disagree. I think Premchand has the utmost respect for the dalits and he constantly brought out their plight through his writings.
Please read and you will be a changed person.
P.S. I guess Anush Rizvi said that her movie Peepli Live is inspired by Kafan.
October 25, 2011
Munshi Premchand is a pioneer. he wrote about reality, the truth which was often hidden by his contemporaries in the face of splendor and pastoral romance.
reading any work by Premchand is a delight and a gut-wrenching experience at the same time. it hurts, it angers, it makes one pity and sympathise, and arouses passions which often are hardened by the ordinary life.
in this collection of short stories, i would like to review the titular one, 'The Shroud'.
Should we, the readers, be angry at the madhav and Ghisu? or should we pity them and their situation and poverty?
the wife is dying inside the hut from labor pains, but all her husband and father-in-law care about are the roasted potatoes which they fear the other would steal if in case one went in to check on the dying woman!
they pray for her soul and devour their pathetic meal while complaining of their poverty.
with the narrative one also understand their philosophy, but the author takes no sides.
'The Shroud' is a seminal piece of work which should be read and discussed for its philosophical, moral and societal implications in a dispassionate, disinterested manner sans a personal axe to grind.
reading any work by Premchand is a delight and a gut-wrenching experience at the same time. it hurts, it angers, it makes one pity and sympathise, and arouses passions which often are hardened by the ordinary life.
in this collection of short stories, i would like to review the titular one, 'The Shroud'.
Should we, the readers, be angry at the madhav and Ghisu? or should we pity them and their situation and poverty?
the wife is dying inside the hut from labor pains, but all her husband and father-in-law care about are the roasted potatoes which they fear the other would steal if in case one went in to check on the dying woman!
they pray for her soul and devour their pathetic meal while complaining of their poverty.
with the narrative one also understand their philosophy, but the author takes no sides.
'The Shroud' is a seminal piece of work which should be read and discussed for its philosophical, moral and societal implications in a dispassionate, disinterested manner sans a personal axe to grind.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2013
As a rule, I like reading Premchand. He narrated simple narratives that subtly veer your attention towards the larger concerns - not only of the protagonist, but of people in general.
However, I feel that this book could have been compiled better. Maybe if they selected a story of each theme. that's one of the reasons for the absence of one star.
Another, is that the translation is not at par with experience of reading him in Hindi. Other than that, the book is very good.
These are stories you can read in any mood, they raise questions regarding patriarchy, of our understanding of piousness, of our hypocritical stances at creating an equal society, and of the woes of farmers, that have not changed a bit in all these years that have passed since his writing.
I had a story of his for my Hindi paper in college, which had to do with office politics, if that were included, or some story on those themes, the compilation could have been better. the reason being, his portrayal of how a person gets eased into politics, of any kind, is rather compelling.
Nonetheless, this has been a good read.
However, I feel that this book could have been compiled better. Maybe if they selected a story of each theme. that's one of the reasons for the absence of one star.
Another, is that the translation is not at par with experience of reading him in Hindi. Other than that, the book is very good.
These are stories you can read in any mood, they raise questions regarding patriarchy, of our understanding of piousness, of our hypocritical stances at creating an equal society, and of the woes of farmers, that have not changed a bit in all these years that have passed since his writing.
I had a story of his for my Hindi paper in college, which had to do with office politics, if that were included, or some story on those themes, the compilation could have been better. the reason being, his portrayal of how a person gets eased into politics, of any kind, is rather compelling.
Nonetheless, this has been a good read.
July 11, 2013
The book I read on a single evening! Unputdownable ! The short stories are too good! Each one captures the true spirit of rural India... Like Jim Corbett's "My India" this one too speaks about the lives of simple village people , their basic needs and their simple ways , culminating into unforgettable , heart warming stories . This was the first Premchand book I read and am definitely looking forward to more!
June 28, 2021
I think so no one can write a short story as elegantly as Premchand. This story truly depicts how we are moral only when our basic needs are fulfilled. No man who is deprived of basic things can think of righteous things. Basic needs instincts are so high that it compels to focus on that rather than being morally upright.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2022
premchand bestie knew what was up. the writing style brings out the desperation and rawness of the story
also reading it both in hindi and english highlighted the intensity that hindi gives the text. something about native languages and their depth, truly can't be replicated in a translated text.
made me want to delve deeper into hindi literature, that's a mission for next year :))
also reading it both in hindi and english highlighted the intensity that hindi gives the text. something about native languages and their depth, truly can't be replicated in a translated text.
made me want to delve deeper into hindi literature, that's a mission for next year :))
May 6, 2016
A poignant and moving account of the mayhem that takes place in a family when the lady of the house dies in childbirth. A stirring tale describing poverty, hunger and helplessness of India's poor.
March 27, 2017
A masterpiece. Prem Chand is at the top of the Urdu/Hindi writers. No match.
August 21, 2025
কাফন আমার পড়া প্রথম হিন্দি বই। খুবই সাবলীল ও বোধগম্য ছিলো। প্রচুর মজা পেয়েছি। একটা বিদেশী ভাষায় বই পড়ায় আনন্দ মেলা।
পুরো কাহিনির সাথে আমি লেগে ছিলাম।
বাপ বেটার আলসেমি আর স্বার্থপর জীবন যাপনের গল্প পড়ে হেসেছি, রাগও হয়েছে।
সীমাহীন আফসোস হয়েছে মাধবের বৌয়ের জন্য। বেচারি মরেও এদের থেকে সামান্য সহানুভূতি পায়নি।
আসলে সে যেনো মরেই বেঁচে গেছে।
এ সংসারে যাপিত জীবন থেকে মৃত্যুই হয়তো সম্মানের। আনন্দের।
পুরো কাহিনির সাথে আমি লেগে ছিলাম।
বাপ বেটার আলসেমি আর স্বার্থপর জীবন যাপনের গল্প পড়ে হেসেছি, রাগও হয়েছে।
সীমাহীন আফসোস হয়েছে মাধবের বৌয়ের জন্য। বেচারি মরেও এদের থেকে সামান্য সহানুভূতি পায়নি।
আসলে সে যেনো মরেই বেঁচে গেছে।
এ সংসারে যাপিত জীবন থেকে মৃত্যুই হয়তো সম্মানের। আনন্দের।
January 30, 2025
"Kafan" by Premchand is a powerful critique of social injustice and human apathy, portraying the harsh realities of poverty with stark realism.
May 30, 2026
A short dark humour.
January 5, 2021
Premchand has captured the myriad emotions of it's characters beautifully. The writing is flawless.
August 29, 2021
This short story that I read in both Hindi and English reminded me why I loved Prem Chand in the first place. The way he could say so much in so little. And the way his simple writing could portray the hardest of themes. I am so glad that there was a man called Prem Chand ever born and I am so grateful for having the privilege to read his wonderful writing.
January 7, 2026
mza aa gyo prem bhai
December 2, 2025
एक कठिन कहानी जो मैंने अभी पढ़ी है, जिसका नाम ‘कफ़न’ है। प्रेमचंद जी ने जिस अंदाज़ में इस कहानी को पिरोया है, वह मुझे बेहद शानदार लगता है क्योंकि कहानी दिलचस्प भी है और दर्दनाक भी।
मैं अभी भी उस कफ़न के बारे में सोच रहा हूँ जो कहानी का मुख्य प्रतीक था, पर जिसका अर्थ अत्यंत अनमोल था।
दो बेरोज़गार, आलसी और लगभग राक्षस-से हृदय रखने वाले ये दो आदमी केवल यह साबित करते हैं कि कुछ चरित्र ऐसे होते हैं जिन्हें केवल कहानियों तक ही सीमित रहना चाहिए। परंतु कहीं न कहीं ऐसे लोग अस्तित्व में अवश्य होंगे, और ऐसी दुनिया में रहने का विचार ही मुझे डराता करता है।
मुझे यह एक बात हमेशा पसंद आती है, और वह यह है कि कहानी में शब्दों का प्रयोग इतनी सरलता से किया गया है कि छोटा-से-छोटा पाठक भी इसे समझ सकता है।
बस दिक्कत वहाँ आती है कि यदि हर कोई कहानी को पढ़ सकता है, तो उसके कठिन पहलू भी सबके सामने स्पष्ट होने चाहिए। कुछ स्थानों पर मुझे लगता है कि हर व्यक्ति उन पहलुओं को समझ न पाए फिर अंत में स्वयं को उन्हीं दो राक्षसों में पाता हुआ देखे।
अंततः मुझे तो बस एक ही बात पर ध्यान बटोरना चाहूंगा कि इंसान कुछ भी कर सकता है।
वह चाहे किसी को मुफ्त का पैसा दे दे, हज़ार बार माफ़ कर दे, और वही इंसान अपने ही भीतर इतना डूब सकता है कि उसकी नैतिकता ही नष्ट हो जाए।
मैं अभी भी उस कफ़न के बारे में सोच रहा हूँ जो कहानी का मुख्य प्रतीक था, पर जिसका अर्थ अत्यंत अनमोल था।
दो बेरोज़गार, आलसी और लगभग राक्षस-से हृदय रखने वाले ये दो आदमी केवल यह साबित करते हैं कि कुछ चरित्र ऐसे होते हैं जिन्हें केवल कहानियों तक ही सीमित रहना चाहिए। परंतु कहीं न कहीं ऐसे लोग अस्तित्व में अवश्य होंगे, और ऐसी दुनिया में रहने का विचार ही मुझे डराता करता है।
मुझे यह एक बात हमेशा पसंद आती है, और वह यह है कि कहानी में शब्दों का प्रयोग इतनी सरलता से किया गया है कि छोटा-से-छोटा पाठक भी इसे समझ सकता है।
बस दिक्कत वहाँ आती है कि यदि हर कोई कहानी को पढ़ सकता है, तो उसके कठिन पहलू भी सबके सामने स्पष्ट होने चाहिए। कुछ स्थानों पर मुझे लगता है कि हर व्यक्ति उन पहलुओं को समझ न पाए फिर अंत में स्वयं को उन्हीं दो राक्षसों में पाता हुआ देखे।
अंततः मुझे तो बस एक ही बात पर ध्यान बटोरना चाहूंगा कि इंसान कुछ भी कर सकता है।
वह चाहे किसी को मुफ्त का पैसा दे दे, हज़ार बार माफ़ कर दे, और वही इंसान अपने ही भीतर इतना डूब सकता है कि उसकी नैतिकता ही नष्ट हो जाए।
September 25, 2015
"It is a strange ritual which requires a new shroud for one who never had sufficient cloth all her life."
Premchand is the best writer in Hindi language. 'Kafan' or 'A Shroud'
is a great story showing realities of then poor of the country and sadly true even today. Some of the poor do turn cynic the way the two protigonists did - not so surprising given the hardships poor in general have to suffer through. In fact, it is hard to judge them despite their atitude towards the dying and later dead woman. Imagine times when wages were so low, the idle were hardly worse off than hard-working -the rich are probably more to blame. It is sad to see the rich giving money for shroud when they wouldn't show same charity by giving money for her medicine when she was alive.
Premchand is the best writer in Hindi language. 'Kafan' or 'A Shroud'
is a great story showing realities of then poor of the country and sadly true even today. Some of the poor do turn cynic the way the two protigonists did - not so surprising given the hardships poor in general have to suffer through. In fact, it is hard to judge them despite their atitude towards the dying and later dead woman. Imagine times when wages were so low, the idle were hardly worse off than hard-working -the rich are probably more to blame. It is sad to see the rich giving money for shroud when they wouldn't show same charity by giving money for her medicine when she was alive.
November 5, 2013
This is my first Premchand book of short stories. Ideally would have read it in Hindi but ended up reading it in English thanks to my impulse buying.
Premchand has again touched numerous malice of erstwhile Indian society through his heart-touching stories. Of all the stories, I loved 'Intoxication' the most. He has delved deeper into the human psyche to explain how there is a thin line, opportunity, that separates between a good and evil. It reminds me of the favorite quote of mine "to you the truth is what you have experienced".
I liked each and every story of it. In the end would second what Hindu says about him - "Premchand is India".
Would give 3.5/5.
Premchand has again touched numerous malice of erstwhile Indian society through his heart-touching stories. Of all the stories, I loved 'Intoxication' the most. He has delved deeper into the human psyche to explain how there is a thin line, opportunity, that separates between a good and evil. It reminds me of the favorite quote of mine "to you the truth is what you have experienced".
I liked each and every story of it. In the end would second what Hindu says about him - "Premchand is India".
Would give 3.5/5.
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