Godaan (Hindi)

About the BookONE OF THE HIGHEST SELLING HINDI NOVELS OF ALL TIMEThis novel by Premchand, considered the father of modern Hindi literature, was published in 1936. Its central theme is the deeply entrenched socio-economic disparity in Indian society. In this novel, through the eyes of an ordinary farmer called Hori, the entire village is vividly depicted. Hori wished to buy a cow which would improve his fortune. He managed to get one, but Horis jealous brother killed the cow. After this, it was as if an avalanche of trouble struck Hori.Godan is a ritual done before someones death as per Hindu custom. It is believed that by donating a cow to a Brahmin at the time of death, a person is forgiven all his sins and they smoothly cross over Vaitarini (the river of death) holding the cows tail. Was Hori able to do Godan in his last moments?About the AuthorBorn on 31 September 1881 in Lamhi near Varanasi, Dhanpatrai Srivastava or Munshi Premchand is a personality who needs no introduction. Premchand enriched Hindi and Urdu literature with his realist writing. His memorable novels include Seva Sadan, Premashram, Rangbhoomi, Nirmala, Gaban, Karmabhoomi, Godan, etc., and more than 300 stories. He wrote in all the major Urdu and Hindi magazines of his era, Zamana, Saraswati, Madhuri, Maryada, etc. He also edited and published the Hindi newspaper Jagran and the literary magazine Hans.