Maila Anchal  (Hindi, Paperback, Renu Phanishwar Nath)

Maila Aanchal (Hindi) is a novel that throws light on the issues faced by the common person in the villages of Bihar, a few years after India’s independence.

Summary Of The Book

Maila Aanchal (Hindi) is considered one of the finest pieces of Hindi literature that documents the life of individuals in Bihar, a few years after India became an independent nation. This novel starts off with Tehsildar Babu, who occupies a great deal of land due to his influence as a zamindar. His daughter, Kamla, has a major problem with convulsions. Doctor Babu leaves the comforts of his city life and chooses to serve in the hinterlands, where epidemics such as Malaria and Kalazar are on the rise.

People belonging to these regions don’t place much trust in medicine, but rather in pandits and tantriks. One of the most serious conditions affecting these individuals is poverty. They also disregard the government, don’t seek a physician’s help, and lack education as well as basic amenities. Doctor Babu goes through tough battles, in an attempt to assist these people in overcoming their superstitions and medical conditions. Kamla then falls in love with Doctor Babu.

The readers are then introduced to Lakshmi, who resides in a monastery and serves the old priest, the two being involved in a scandalous affair. The priest’s servant bears up all the insults thrown at him by his master. However, the servant is an expert at playing a musical instrument called the Khanjira, which is the reason behind him entering the monastery, despite him being from a lower caste. In the meantime, a freedom fighter meets Lakshmi and is drawn towards her.

Nath also introduces the readers to several characters that involve themselves in caste politics, one of them being a dwarf, who has spoken to Mahatma Gandhi himself. However, he now remains unnoticed as Gandhi’s no more. From Maithali poems and folklore, to several love stories, Maila Aanchal (Hindi) is a stunning novel that portrays the lives of individuals in Bihar, in the post-independence period.

About Phanishwar Nath

Phanishwar Nath was a novelist.

Apart from this book, Nath has also written Paltu Babu Road, Shrut Ashrut Purva, Van Tulsi ki Gandh, and Kitne Chaurahe.

Nath was born on 4th March, 1921, in Bihar. He completed his schooling from Biratnagar Adarsh Vidyalaya, Biratnagar, Nepal. He was also a part of the Indian Freedom Struggle. Nath was regarded among the most influential and successful authors of modern Hindi literature. Through his literary works, he would promote the voice of contemporary rural India. Nath was regarded one of the pioneering authors who instilled regional voices into mainstream Hindi literature. Nath was also presented the Padma Shri in 1970. He passed away on 11th April, 1977, in Bihar, India.