M. A. Banake Kyon Meri Mitti Kharab Ki? (Why did you spoil my life making me do my M. A.?)[1][A] is a 1908 Gujarati social novel by the Indian writer Amrit Keshav Nayak (1877–1907). It is an autobiographical style novel of an unemployed postgraduate. It is a satire on the education system and prevalent social customs. The novel was well-received by readers.
| Author | Amrit Keshav Nayak |
|---|---|
| Original title | એમ. એ. બનાકે ક્યોં મેરી મિટ્ટી ખરાબ કી? |
| Language | Gujarati |
| Genre | Social novel |
| Publisher | Gujarati Press, Gujarat Sahitya Akademi |
Publication date | 1908 |
| Publication place | India |
History
editAmrit Keshav Nayak, a popular Gujarati and Urdu theatre actor and writer, serialised the novel in the weekly magazine, Gujarati. It was posthumously published in book form in 1908 by Gujarati Press. It had several editions.[3][1][2] The novel was republished by Gujarat Sahitya Akademi.[3]
Content
editThe novel has 50 chapters depicting the shortcomings of the contemporary education system and prevalent unemployment among the educated. It is also a satire on an egoist who is alienated from his clan because of his superiority complex.[3][1] It is written in an autobiographical style which quickly gains sympathy of the readers.[1]
The lead character, Manekchand, has studied for an M.A. from the Government College in Lahore. He had studied for a B.A. in mathematics and philosophy. He has spent money from his poor family to gain these degrees and has also destroyed himself with hard work for it. The first chapter presents the answers from employers who have rejected his job applications depicting joblessness among the educated. His joblessness is looked down upon by other people.[3][1]
There are ten to twelve characters in this didactic social novel with their own personalities and characteristics. Three chapters are dedicated to the history of Japan which was undergoing major industrialization and reforms at the time. It also depicted prevalent issues of joint families, casteism and social customs, but these things interrupt the story. It also includes a theme of nationalism. The language of the novel has influences of Hindi, Urdu and Persian languages. The dialogues are theatrical in nature because of Nayak's experience with the theatre.[3]
The preface of the novel included a biographical essay on Nayak by his friend Thakkur Narayandas Visanji.[2]
Translation
editThe novel was translated into Hindi by Chhannulal Dwivedi and published by Pustak Bhavan in Banaras in 1923.[4]
Reception
editThe novel was well-received by readers and became popular.[3][5] According to the British Museum catalogue, the novel "[exposed] the evils of social life of Indian graduates of the present time".[2]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Mehta, Chandrakant (2007). Lal, Mohan (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature. Vol. IV (Navaratri to Sarvasena) (Revised edition, 2007 ed.). New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 2928. ISBN 978-81-260-2384-4. OCLC 430192715.
- ^ a b c d Hansen, Kathryn (1 December 2013). Stages of Life: Indian Theatre Autobiographies. Anthem Press. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-78308-068-7 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c d e f Nayak, Chinubhai (1998). Thaker, Dhirubhai (ed.). ગુજરાતી વિશ્વકોશ [Gujarati Encyclopedia] (in Gujarati). Vol. III (2nd ed.). Ahmedabad: Gujarati Vishwakosh Trust (published October 2004). p. 511. OCLC 165498358.
- ^ Dwivedi, Chhanulal (1923). M. A. Banake Kyon Meri Mitti Kharab Ki?. Banaras: Pustak Bhavan.
- ^ Jhaveri, Mansukhlal Maganlal (1978). History of Gujarati Literature. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 154. OCLC 639128528 – via Google Books.