Chandrakanta

Chandrakanta Santati #1

by Babu Devakinandan Khatri

A rollicking story of fantasy and adventure. This modern translation and retelling of a gem from Indian literature is sure to mesmerize a new generation of readers...

Genres: Fantasy, Indian Literature, Fiction, Classics, Audiobook, Mystery, 19th Century

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1888

About the author

After his earlier education, Devkinandan Khatri moved to Tekari Estate in Gaya. He became an employee of the Raja of Benares. He started a printing press called "Lahari" and started a Hindi monthly, "Sudarshan", in 1898. The various works of Khatri and his son Durga Prasad were republished by Lahari Press in the early 21st century. Lahari Press is still in existence in Ramkatora (Pisnahariya Kuwan)very close to area called Lahurabeer in Varanasi.

Khatri made a strong contribution to the learning of the Hindi language by the people of the times. People were so mesmerised by the works Chandrakanta, Chandrakanta Santati and Bhootnath that they started to learn Hindi just to be able to read the works. Khatri did not write any work at one go and then publish the same. He used to write "bayaans" - chapters - on the run from the British and these were published and distributed widely. People would await the new "bayaans" and congregate around those who could read Hindi to hear the latest exploits in the continuing saga.

Reviews

[Ashish Iyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read. I enjoyed reading it. Reading in regional language is quite an experience. Love the way how author weaved his story. Its a shame that book is not that famous. Novel is set in the mystical world of princes, princesses, & magical creatures. Through its gripping narrative and vivid imagery, the story unfolds a tale of love, betrayal, and adventure in the kingdom of Vijaygarh.

[Neha Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire journey of 300 pages was just awesome.. the story, the characters, the magic, the twists & turns, the plot.. making my imagination as lush & green as rains turn the 'Konkan region'..

Unlike a magic or fantasy book it does not have a super hero or magical stuff giving super powers.. its about how cleverly & ethically the Aiyaars use their tricks to investigate the truth, spy to end animosity between kings and finish wars without a single shot fired... It gives you a feeling of ‘Lord of the Rings’ kind of an epic faring better in lot of ways but lacking mainly because its written in a regional language, infact not even polished Hindi but the local Hindi dialect of UP & Bihar.

To read more:
http://storywala.blogspot.in/2010/10/...

[Namratha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.
Just wow.

For a lover of epic fantasy, spell-binding magic, swashbuckling adventure and flawless narrative, I am appalled that this adaptation has been gathering dust on my bookshelf for such a long time.

The original tale has many feathers in its royal turban:

1) Chandrakanta is considered to be the first authentic work of Hindi prose in the Adhunik Kaal (modern period).
2) The author wrote ‘bayans’ or short chapters between 1888 and 1891, which were published serially and widely distributed. People were so enchanted with the twists and turns in this nail-biting fantasy that it contributed to the learning of Hindi and the Devnagari script just so that could read and soak in these stories.
3) It may unarguably be the first mystery novel in Hindi.
4) The author goes down in the annals of Hindi literature as a figure who contributed to the growth of the Hindi novel, the Hindi language and most pleasingly, the reading habit.
d) It was, what can best be described as a bestseller that achieved the status of an early Harry Potter and even today, continues to enjoy a fan following.
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In essence, Chandrakanta is a simple fairytale about a handsome prince who must save the beautiful princess from the evil clutches of their enemies. What elevates the story to another level is the introduction of concepts like Aiyaars and Aiyaaris (people adept in the arts of disguise, trickery, espionage, knowledge of herbs, use of arms, dance and music who were employed by the rulers in ancient times to further their causes) and the delicious and scary promise of a tilism (devious mazes that contained traps, secret passages, prisons, magical voodoo and maybe scientific wonders too that had to be deciphered by the right person to yield the treasures within).

Yes, it has a slow and trite start when you almost give up because the Aiyaars' tricks seem to get really monotonous and repetitive. But ah, it picks it up. And how.

The characters are few but rich in their profiles. Their interactions are laced with humour, snark and insolence. You don’t really much care for the fanciful yearnings of the star struck lovers Prince Virendra and Princess Chandrakanta because the ensemble cast is brimming with interesting people like the sharp and ever enterprising Tej, the equally wily and proactive Chapla, the ever helpful student Aiyaar, Devi, the textbook villain Krur Singh, the untrustworthy Raja Shivdutt, the sassy Champa, the mysterious Bankanya and other small characters who do their jobs with aplomb.

The melodrama has been gracefully tamed down in this adaptation by Deepa Agarwal and the story moves at an engaging pace. Almost every page is fraught with mystery, magic, deceit, betrayal and unexpected events. There is never a dull moment and when there is one, you know that all you need to do is turn a leaf and voila!

Yet another aspect that I adored about this book was that the females were feisty. Yes, Chandrakantha originally comes across as a lovestruck dolt but her character arc. Her constant companion and a powerful Aiyaara herself, Chapla was such a trail blazer. Champa, another of Chandrakanta’s companions proves her mettle too.

The tale is a traditional, magical story. Maybe it lacks the depth of more nuanced fantasy novels. Maybe it was a bit too pat for people who want their characters with backstories. Maybe the more cynical amongst you would mock the simplicity of its plot progression.

Scoff away.


But at the heart of it all, remains the singular fact that the author wrote a book not with the aim to teach, patronize, educate, moralize or ignite patriotic fervour in the people. All he wanted was that his readers should enjoy his books.

And boy, he did that with style.

*Jai Maya*

[Gorab · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I picked this book, I had faint memories of Chandrakanta aired on DD1 in the 90's. But all I remembered was Krursingh's "Yakkooo!". But the character is forgettable in the book.
Almost gave up on it because by 35 pages, the characters known as "aiyaars" impersonated each other more than 100 times! I'm not exaggerating though I didn't count. But it became very predictable and irritating.
Its in the later parts that the story became more "tilasmi" and a bit interesting.

[Ambalika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this one a few years ago. I was very sceptical about this one. As in, really suspicious. I read the translated version of course, but to my pleasant surprise, this book was amazing! Maybe the drama could have been lessened, but overall, a wonderful book. Kudos to my mother for stubbornly buying this book and refusing to buy me any other book until I read this one.

[Rosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is full of twists and turns. It would have been a great success in the Race film series if it could be transferred to the modern timeline. Interesting story, a bit dated of course because of the period it was written in. The first book I've ever read where the hero faints pining for his beloved. So I'd put this adaptation as a one-time read. But I have no doubt that the original Hindi version would be a much better read. Somewhere, it did feel like things were lost in translation. But the aiyyaars and their aiyyari, wow!


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[Mohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Chandrakanta Santati over two decades back and this was also read but cursorily since could not issue it from library for adequate time, then. So picked up again after these many years just to delve into this magical journey of Ayyars and Rajkumars and Chandrakanta. It is a great read for new readers of Hindi fiction, especially those who enjoyed the teleseries. It is fast paced, full of twists and turns and magical. Maybe after these many years I have read much better hindi books and this giving it a 4 star otherwise many may find it worth 5 as well I guess.

[Aravind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chandrakanta is India's fitting answer to the Persian tales of magic and adventure, popularly known as Dastans. It is the story of a beautiful princess, a valiant prince who loves her, some bad men who covet her, a Tilisma, or a magical place, where she gets imprisoned, and a whole lot of Aiyaars, or spy-magicians, helping both the good and the bad sides. It is the latter ones that hold the centre-stage in this story; they can change their appearance at will, they can carry heavy loads, they can beat the horses in speed, they have potions for every purpose, they are tireless, and, they have the best sense of humour! There are a couple of female ones too, called Aiyaaras, with similar abilities.
The author has tried to explain the magic of the aiyaars and tilismas in scientific terms and has not done a convincing job. I feel that there was no need to do so, as the readers of such tales don't mind magic, in fact, they love magic!
The translator, Rohini Chowdhury, has kept it in very simple English, preserving the simplicity of the original which was written in spoken Hindi rather than some difficult literary form.
Chandrakanta is an extremely fun read, if the reader puts logic aside and dives in, intending to be entertained. The only disappointment is the negligible coverage given to Kroor Singh, the most popular character from the telivision serial Chandrakanta from the nineties.

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

ಎರಡು ರಾಜಮನೆತನಗಳು, ತಂತ್ರಗಾರರು,ಒಬ್ಬ ರಾಜಕುಮಾರ, ಒಬ್ಬ ರಾಜಕುಮಾರಿ ,ಕಪಟ ನಾಟಕಗಳು,ಮಾರುವೇಷ, ಇಂದ್ರಜಾಲ,‌ಮಂತ್ರ ತಂತ್ರ
ನನ್ನ ಬಾಲ್ಯವ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ಸುಂದರಗೊಳಿಸಬಹುದಿದ್ದ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕವ ಈಗ ಓದಿದ್ದು ಹಳಹಳಿಸುವಂತೆ ಮಾಡಿದೆ!

[Abhilasha]

My mom recommended this long time ago and she wanted me to read it ASAP cause it's soooooo good. I keep forgetting about this so I'll just put this in my shelf(which I never check) 👀

*I promise I'll read it soon mumma*

Me to my brain who keeps forgetting

[Alok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite of being one of the earliest novels of hindi literature, Chandrkanta leaves a lasting impression on readers' minds in terms of relatable characters, depiction of kin relationships and a storytelling style that has a tinge of rural North India. Readers from East UP, Bihar and MP will immediately be at home with the language used in the book, even if they aren't acquainted with the namesake TV serial (Chandrkanta was immensely popular during 90s).
Novel has certain differences compared to the tv serial. Character s of antagonists of Kunwar Veerendra Singh viz. Kroor Singh, Shivdutt etc. are much more evolved and those of his family and friends such as Tej Singh, Devi Singh are less elaborate in the TV serial.
At some points unnecessary plot points have been included in the novel which could've been avoided. But all put together it's a great story that fills us with nostalgia.

[Sumit Ghosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most enchanted books I ever read. Personally I am not very fond of romantic stories so I kept it aside for a long while. But at the same time it is a wonderful story full of magical tricks. Not a magic which can summon mythical beast or celestial weapon, but a pure earthly science which makes the story more real. Everywhere there is a game of wit, talent and cunning which keeps your brain occupied in an attempt to guess what might have happened and what may come next.
My suggestion would be to use a real book instead of a soft copy. There would be several time when you may expect an ending and soon you would realize that it is a beginning of something more interesting. With a hard copy you can always have an idea how far you are yet to go.

[Amrit J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the two stars are more due to my bias to the memories associated with this book when I had first come across it, than anything to do with the book.

It is a fantasy fiction, but very loosely written and pratically offering no understanding of how the magic system, or deception from Ayiyaars work (Ayiyaars are the spies who are capable of changing forms and appearances, and form the backbone of the story). The prose is very very coarse, and to anyone who has read Sharatchandra, or Premchand, this is utterly garbage with respect to the language used in the book.

It is one of the those "I-will-read-this-on-the-flight" book that offer some degree of amusement when you're reading it, but hardly something you'd go back to, unless the nostalia-bug bites you again.

[Dreamcatcher (HIATUS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

I need to start reading more books in my native language

[Aradhya · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this book up, I knew it was going to be different. Both good different, and bad different. And I was right.

I wanted to read this because of its popularity. This was written in 1888, and people actually learned Hindi to read this novel. That's amazing, right?

So,

Does the novel age well?
No. There is sexism, there is religionism, and there are stereotypes. But funnily enough, it's still better than current news TV channels. So that's a win?

Do I regret reading it?
No, not at all. I am glad I finally read (actually listened to) it. It was very interesting to see how people talked and perceived things at that time, and how so much of that is same as today.

What I liked:

1) I liked how the language is very similar to the current one. Of course, there are more Urdu words used in the dialogues than today's real life, and some words, even some easy ones seem to be just lost today, which is kinda sad. I pride myself on my Hindi and still, I heard them for the first time in it.

2) I like how it has many brave, fighter (literal fighters) female characters. While the novel does have enough sexism to make you cringe, not all women are portrayed as helpless people, which I really liked.

3) I listened to it on Storytel, the audio version by K.C. Shankar. And I have to say it was such a treat to listen to a voice that reminded me of our childhood shows. If I find more books in this narrator's voice, I am going to listen to those too. The narration was a very strong part of my experience with this book.

What I didn't like:

1) As I said, the novel does not age well on many parts. Despite some very brave women characters, the frequent usage of degrading words for women like "laundi", and a few uncomfortable scenes are there.

2) The story does not seem epic or anything to me, now, as it is often claimed about this book. But then we have to remember that it was written in 1888. A time when the authors probably didn't have access to much fiction to improve their writing. The writing clearly had potential. It is not just another novel, and I am sure in 1888, it must have been an epic story. The tilism is quite interesting, I can totally see why this was adapted into TV series.

I don't remember much about its TV show other than the fact that I liked it as a child. But I have heard lots of things were changed in the adaptation. If you read the book, you will know the reasons yourself. In the book, prince Virendra Singh often comes across as a weak, love-struck boy, and his best friend and 'Ayyar' Tej Singh is the one who actually saves the day most of the time.

All said and done, I am glad I read it. It helped me understand the culture of that time, and the fiction of that time.

[Anonymous · Rating 4 out of 5]

ज़मीन के गर्भ में पनप रहे बीज को बार बार मिट्टी के बाहर निकाल के देखना उचित नहीं होता, और न ही समय के प्रतीक्षा में निरर्थक बैठने वाले को कुछ हासिल होता है।
अवसर उपलब्ध नहीं होते हैं बल्कि उन्हें बोया और उपजाया जाता है।

[Lady Clementina ffinch-ffarowmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rather longish post/review for #WitchWeek2022: https://potpourri2015.wordpress.com/2...

[shaula · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot is 10/10, considering the year it was written in, great characters and twists!

[Samar · Rating 5 out of 5]

चंद्रकांता की दुनियां अपने आप में एक ब्रम्हाण्ड है जी, और चंद्रकांता का लिखा जाना हिन्दी उपन्यासों के इतिहास में एक उत्सव है। थोड़ा थोड़ा याद आता है की बचपन में कुछ एपिसोड ही चन्द्रकांता की देखी फिर वो शो बन्द हो गया तो चंद्रकांता की यादें धुंधली होती गयी। उस समय मैं 13-14 साल का रहा होउन्गा जब बड़ी मुश्किल से कहीं से खोज के मां ने चंद्रकांता डाक द्वारा मंगवाई तो चन्द्रकान्ता की जादुई दुनियां फिर से याद आ गयी। लेकिन उस समय भी एक 200-300 पन्नों की किताब उठाने का साहस नहीं हुआ।

खैर,,,!!!! बारहवीं की परीक्षा के बाद जब समय मिला तब चंद्रकांता पढ़नी सुरु की साहब, तब जा के समझ में आया की "सास-बहू" की सिरियलों ने तो बाद में टेलिविजन का बेड़ा गर्क किया, चंद्रकांता बनाने वालों ने उस से पहले ही कहानी की ऐसी- तैसी करनी सुरु कर दी थी। असल में चंद्रकांता की कहानी कहीं से भी जादुई और अमानवीय घटनाओं की परिकल्पना नहीं है जैसा दिखाया गया है। चंद्रकांता तो उस समय की "रोमांस" "साइंस-फिक्शन" और "कल्पना" की श्रेणी में रखी जाने लायक पुस्तक है। और असल में चन्द्रकांता "ऐयारी" की कहानी है, हिन्दी साहित्य के शूरुआत में ऐयारी की किताबें खूब लिखी जाती थी, फिर प्रेमचंद जी के बाद से ऐयारी की कहानियां विलुप्त होने लगीं। कहानी की कल्पना भी ऐसी वैसी नहीं है साहब, बल्कि ये कहिये की अगर कोई पूछे की लेखक की कल्पना की सीमा क्या है?? तो चंद्रकांता रख दिजीये। इतनी उत्कृष्ट की आप अभी भी पढ़ के सोचने लगें की हिन्दी उपन्यास की प्रथम कुछ उपन्यासों में शुमार यह किताब अपने आप में एक बेंचमार्क है। मतलब पढ़ते पढ़ते आप बाबू देवकीनन्दन खत्री साहब की काल्पना शक्ती पर वाह वाह करने लगें।

चंद्रकांता और चन्द्रकांता संतति की कहानी आप को एक अलग दुनिया में ले जायेगी। कहानी मे कुछ काल्पनिक स्थल हैं जैसे नौगढ़ और विजयगढ़, बाकी कुछ स्थल जैसे गया, राजगृह, चुनार, बराबर की पहाड़ियां, काशी इत्यादी वास्तविक हैं। आस पास के जंगलों और पहाडों का जिक्र किया गया है जो अभी भी मौजूद हैं और उन जगहों को देख के सच में लगता है की इनमें तिलिस्म(आज कल की कहानियों के booby traps) की संरचना गढ़ी जा सकती है। हाँ, तिलिस्म से याद आया, पूरी की पूरी चन्द्रकांत की दुनिया ही अपने आप में तिलिस्म है, आप खो जायेंगे और फिर निकलने का मन ही नहीं करेगा। ऐयारों के दाव-पेंच किलों के गुप्त रास्तों से होते हुए पाठक के ध्यान को ऐसे पकड़ के रखते हैं की मानो आंखो के सामने कहानी सजीव होने लगती है। सुरुआत में बाबू देवकीनन्दन खत्री साहब ने छोटे छोटे बयानों में पूरी कहानी लिखी थी और अलग अलग भागों में कहानी छप के प्रकाशित हुई। लेकिन बाद में चंद्रकांता और चंद्रकांता संतति 7 किताबों (1 भाग चंद्रकांता और 6 भाग चंद्रकांता संतति) मे समाहित कर दी गयी हैं। कहा जाता है की हिन्दी उपन्यासों की सुरुआत चन्द्रकांता से हुई थी। चन्द्रकांता की दुनियां हिन्दी कहानी लेखन का शिलान्यास है, और 130 सालों से ज्यादा पुरानी इस कहानी के जैसी इसके बाद और कोई कहानी नहीं लिखी गयी। उस पर भी बाबू साहब की लेखन शैली इतनी दमदार और सुगम है की आज भी मगध की स्थानिय भाषाओं में उनकी भाषा शैली की महक आती है। हर एक हिन्दी-भाषी को चंद्रकांता पढ़नी चाहिये।

काश बाहुबली के इफेक्ट के साथ चंद्रकांता को यथा-रचित फिल्माया जाये तो जिन्दगी में कुछ और देखना बाकी नहीं रहेगा।।।

[Dhiraj Sharma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale of kings, princes, princesses, their loyal friends, aiyaars, tilisms (magical maze), loyalists, traitors et al.

No wonder the original version in Hindi written by Babu Devkinandan Khatri in the late 19th century must have been an enormous novella. The author has done excellent work by translating this tale into English.

The story moves at a brisk pace though while reading this English translated version you can make out that some incidents/chapters in original Hindi one would have been more descriptive. Many characters have miniscule role in the book. Also I found the ending to be a bit rushed up.

A TV serial based on the book was shown on DD many years back when I was in school. I don’t remember much of the details except that former Miss India Shikha Swaroop played the lead character.

This is a pretty engrossing tale of love, sacrifice, friendship and magical realms. Suitable for kids and grownups alike. I just wish I could locate the original Hindi version somewhere!!!

[Indian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chandrakanta by Devki Nandan Khatri now reads placid!

This was a historic book, which had played a significant role in popularizing Hindi in it's Devnagri font during 1880's. They say that many people tried learning Hindi, in order to read this episodic novel published in the newspaper of the times. People as in, people who knew Urdu, Bhijpuri, Bengali.

However today this novel has lost it's sheen, the tricks & tribulations of this fantasy novel seems forced upon, as the reader/audience today has already been exposed to these in some form or other. The novelty factor has faded away.

I really struggled to finish this but failed after completing 75% of it.

[Mukesh Kumar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is essentially a children's book, or if I am charitable, a comic fantasy book of its era. Full of contemporary religious anxieties and well derived from the folklores of dastans of Tilism e hohsruba and such, mixed with popular epics and mythology.
I didn't like the story plot, it is as I said quite childish and too many loopholes abound, characters behave like children who forget who they are and what they stand for every few pages.
However the performance is done well and the sound effects are good, albeit a bit loud at places.
IMHO, I would not have been able to finish this if it wasn't in this abridged, podcast kind of format.

[Prakash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is , if memory serves right, is the first fiction novel I ever read.

Loaned to me by my Uncle, I just lapped it up. An absolute marvel.

The genre is fantasy and I will rate the world it builds as good as Harry Potter or A song of ice and fire.

It is more than a 100 years old but it should be read more. It should atleast be a gift to every young child by their parents. It did spawn a hugely popular television adaptation and the book itself was extremely popular at the time it was published.

[Dr. Siddharth Mishra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, in my opinion, is one of the best fantasy books I have read over the years, especially in the Indian context, written by an Indian author especially pertaining to the Indian audience.
This novel forced people to learn Hindi just so they could read and enjoy this epic tale of love, loss and magic. India's perfect answer to Lord of the rings, Chronicles of Narnia and other Western fantasy books

[Shalini Sai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god! The author has created magic. If you haven't read this then you are missing something big in life!! Go and grab a copy now, it is one of those classics which aren't to be read but to be cherished. All other great work such as Chroniclers of Narnia and Harry Potter have a long way to go! Shame it is not as famous as these but not everyone has a taste for great work.

[Manish · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the very first Hindi Novels that I read...and luckily I started with the one of the very first Hindi novelists...Keeping in mind that, back in those days, Hindi novels were meant only to entertain and not give any messages, this book comes out with flying colors!!

[Vibhu Ashok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always was and is mesmerized by the richness of content in this book, it took me to beyond, yet within the grasp of my dreams...
A world where me and my imagination flies away on an amazing journey, this the book that started my literary journey

[Sumit · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great novel of bygone century... I have rated it 5 because,though initially it was a slow read, it never failed to surprise me and a time came when i could not put it down.I appreciate the initiative taken by the publisher,i would love to read more such mesmerizing tales :)

[Sushant Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read it, I realized that my Hindi sucks. This was my favourite tv show when I was growing up. The books are usually better than the tv shows and movies made on them. This one is no different. Hindi bhasha bahut priya hai mujhe. Kuch aur upanyaas padhne k ichhuk hain hum.

[Abhishek Kumar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fantasy would be one of my favourite genre but this book is mediocre at best. I don’t know why such a fuss about such bad literature.
Finishing the book felt like a task. It is severely overrated.