Cheerharan (Nepali: चीरहरण) is a 2016 Nepali mythological novel by Neelam Karki Niharika. It was published by Sangri-La Books and is the ninth book of the author. The book won the Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar for the same year.[1]
 Cover page | |
| Author | Neelam Karki Niharika |
|---|---|
| Original title | चीरहरण |
| Language | Nepali |
| Genre | Mythological retelling |
| Published | 2016 |
| Publisher | Sangri-La Books |
| Publication place | Nepal |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 526 |
| Award | Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar |
| ISBN | 9789937905374 |
| Preceded by | Arki Aaimai |
| Followed by | Yogmaya |
The novel is a retelling of the Mahabharata epic. It shows the pain suffered by women in the political and social environment in the epic. Karki has presented the views of various females characters such as Satyawati, Kunti, Ambika, Ambalika, Gandhari, etc. in this book unlike the epic which is mostly male-centered.[2]
Synopsis
editCheerharan is a retelling of the infamous humiliation of Draupadi from the Sabha Parva of Mahabharata. During the game of dice, Pandavas place their wife Draupadi for the bet and loses her after which she is humiliated by the Kauravsas. The Kauravas strips her in front of the whole court and Pandavas do nothing to protect her dignity. In the end, Lord Krishna interferes to save her from humiliation. This part is one of the key moments that eventually lead to Mahabarata war. [3]
The novel draws a parallel on the exploitation of women during that period and the modern age.
Reception
editThe book won the Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2072 BS.[4] The book was also shortlisted for the prestigious Madan Puraskar for the same year but lost to Ramlal Joshi's Aina. Karki later went on to win the prize for her next novel - Yogmaya.
Rishi Ram Bhusal in his review for The Annapurna Post praised this book as "a valuable addition to Nepali literature".[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "पद्मश्री पुरस्कार र पद्मश्री साधना प्रदान". Himal Khabar. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "KhassKhass". www.khasskhass.com. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "Recanting epics for the modern reader". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "पद्म श्री साहित्य पुरस्कारका लागि ५ कृति मनोनयनमा". पद्म श्री साहित्य पुरस्कारका लागि ५ कृति मनोनयनमा. Retrieved 2021-12-03.
- ^ "'चीरहरण'मा सिँगारिएको नीलमको प्रतिभा". ‘चीरहरण’मा सिँगारिएको नीलमको प्रतिभा. Retrieved 2021-12-03.