7/27/2019 Book Review: Seva Sadan

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SEVA SADANBook Review by:

Ananjay Tiwary

7/27/2019 Book Review: Seva Sadan

2/7

One of the most celebrated writers ofthe Indian subcontinent of the earlytwentieth century.

He has been referred to as the KathaSamrat" ("Emperor among Novelists").

Considered as the first Hindi author whosewritings prominently featured realism

Used literature for the purpose of arousingpublic awareness about national and socialissues

Often wrote about corruption, childwidowhood, prostitution, feudal system,poverty, colonialism.

7/27/2019 Book Review: Seva Sadan

3/7

Seva Sadan literally means The house of Service.

First Hindi novel of Premchand published in 1919. It

was also published in Urdu under the title Bazaar-E-Husn in 1924.

Sevasadan went through several editions after its first

publication. It was made into a film in 1938 with M.S.Subbulakshmi in the lead role.

7/27/2019 Book Review: Seva Sadan

4/7

Suman The Protagonist

Krishna Chandra Sumans father

Gajadhar Sumans Husband

Shanta Sumans Sister Bholi Courtesan

Padmasingh Social Reformer

Sadan Singh Shantas Husband

7/27/2019 Book Review: Seva Sadan

5/7

Sevasadan is set in Varanasi, and it examines the descent of one lady, Suman,from rich, doted-on daughter to prostitute.

Suman's luck changed all because her father ( a highly-respected policeinspector) succumbed to taking a bribe so that he could incur the dowryexpenses for her wedding.

He was sent to jail and after his wife spent all their earnings trying to have him

released, Suman was sent to her uncle's house where she was ill-treated by hisfamily.

It was a herculian task trying to marry off a penniless girl, but Suman'suncle, Umanath, managed to find her a poor man, Gajadhar, to marry.

Suman, who had been used to luxuries in her father's house, found it very hardto be the perfect wife to a poor man.

Finally, her husband, dissatisfied with her as a wife, asked her to leave. Havingnowhere to go, Suman becomes a tawai'if or courtesan.

In the end Suman reforms herself and atones by serving as the manager of anorphanage, the Sevasadan, for the young daughters of courtesans.

7/27/2019 Book Review: Seva Sadan

6/7

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7/27/2019 Book Review: Seva Sadan

7/7

This book has great contemporary relevance

Cause and Effect approach to analyze the ills of the societyand its traditions

Not too many characters

Language is very simple

The Plot needs some understanding of the rural cultureand village life