कितने चौराहे-फणीश्वर नाथ रेणु
Cover designed by deo Prakash Choudhary
Rajkamal Prakashan, New Delhi
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Phanishwar Nath 'Renu' (फणीश्वर नाथ रेणु) (March 4, 1921 – April 11,
1977) was one of the most successful and influential writers of modern Hindi
literature in the post-Premchand era. He is the author of Maila Anchal, which
after Premchand's Godaan, is regarded as the most significant Hindi novel.
Phanishwar Nath 'Renu' is best known for promoting
the voice of the contemporary rural India through the genre of
'Aanchalik Upanyas' (Regional Story), and is placed amongst the pioneering
Hindi writers who brought regional voices into the mainstream Hindi literature.
His short story Maare Gaye Gulfam was adapted into
a film Teesri Kasam (The Third Vow), by Basu Bhattacharya (produced by the
poet-lyricist Shailendra) in 1966 for which he also wrote the dialogues Later his short story Panchlight (Petromax)
was made into a TV short film.
The intimacy in writing brought to the reader with
use of local flavor of Hindi in contrast to Khari Boli Hindi was entirely new
literary experience.
His very first novel which is also considered his
masterpiece, Maila Anchal (The Soiled Linen, 1954), was a social novel that
depicted the life of rural Bihar and its
people, especially the backward and the deprived. He was subsequently awarded
one of India's
highest civilian honours, the Padma Sri in 1970.
Later during Jayaprakash Narayan Andolan, he gave
up his award in solidarity. His short story Panchlight (Petromax) is beautiful
in its depiction of human behavior. One can find many parallels between his and
Premchand's writings.
Curiously, Katihar railway station figures in many
of his writings.
He wrote descriptive prose with rapid character
building. He would then go about reflecting on his characters and backgrounds
from every angle. Ek Aadim Ratri Ki Mehak which is straight forward story with
touchy ending, is one example his unending need for exploring pristine emotions
of his characters.
Novels
Maila
Anchal
Parti
Parikatha,
Juloos
Deerghtapa
Kitne
Chaurahe
Paltu Babu Road
Kalank
Mukti
Others/Reportage
Rindjal
Dhanjal
Van Tulsi
ki gandh
Shrut
Ashrut Purva
Totapur
Nepali
Kranti Katha
Shruth
Asruth purve
Pahli
kranti katha
