‘Social evils that Munshi Premchand chose to write about still resonate'
The event on the eve of Munshi Premchand's 145th birth anniversary was organised by 'Abhivyakti - Cultural and Welfare Society'.
Senior dramatist Lalit Singh Pokhariya emphasised how Premchand's conscious choice to address societal issues, caste discrimination, and injustice continues to resonate today.
"The problems Premchand wrote about — poverty, casteism, exploitation, gender discrimination — continue to plague our society," Pokhariya observed.
"He had the choice of writing on different genres, but he closely observed the scenario around him and chose to write about society, caste discrimination, injustice, exploitation of women and the poor, gender discrimination, and poverty, which are still prevalent in our country,"
Retired IAS officer and social worker Nageshwar Nath Upadhay, who was the chief guest, highlighted the universal appeal of Premchand's literature.
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"His works transcend the urban-rural divide and continue to voice the concerns of marginalised sections of society," Upadhay said.
The event featured readings of two notable articles, "Premchand Ke Phate Joote" by Harishankar Parsai and its sequel by KK Asthana.
Senior theatre artist Bhanu Prakash Pandey presented Parsai's piece, while Asthana read his own work 'Premchand Ke Phate Huye Joote Part 2'. Both articles were inspired by a famous photograph of Premchand with his wife, showing the writer wearing torn shoes, an image that became iconic in literary circles.
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