Biography of Munshi Prem Chand complete biography for Class 10, Class 12, and Graduation and other classes.
India : Father of Hindi Fiction
Birth : 1880 Death : 1936
The greatness of Munshi Prem Chand as a story writer and novelist is still unsurpassed in the realm of Hindi literature. The reason of the phenomenal popularity is that he has described the life of the common people in a realistic manner with all their woes, sufferings and foibles. Prem Chand in his novels and stories has fearlessly exposed the hypocricy and cruel exploitation by the rich, propertied classes, of the poor and weaker section of the society. Munshi Prem Chand is known as `Upanayas Samarat’ or the ‘Father of Hindi Fiction’ because he gave the ‘ Hindi Upanayas’ a definite shape and in his hand Hindi fiction blossomed into full-fledged literary form. The literary career of Prem Chand started with the publication of his first story `Sansar ka Sabse Anmol Ratna’ (The most Invaluable Gem of the World) in Jamana in 1901. His first collection of short stories Soz-i-Watan came out in 1907. During his literary career that lasted over three decades, Prem Chand wrote a number of novels and short stories. Some of his immortal novels are: Godan, Kaya Kalpa, Nirmala, Pratigya, Seva Sadan, Premashczram, Rang Bhumi, Karma Bhumi and Mansarover that runs into 8 volumes. Prem Chand also edited some magazines like Maryada and Jagaran. He had also started his own magazine called Hansha.
Prem Chand was born into a poor family in Varanasi (U.P.). His real name was Dhanpat Rai and he wrote in Urdu under the assumed name of Nawab Rai. All his Hindi works were, however, published under his pen name of `Prem Chand’.
Prem Chand led a life of financial hardships and wants and it is clearly reflected in his writings. That is why he could portray the lives of the poor and the underdog in such a realistic manner.
Prem Chand died in 1936 at the age of 56. The 100th birth ‘ anniversary of Prem Chand was celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country in 1980.
