Chitralekha is a 1934 Hindi novel by the Indian writer Bhagwati Charan Verma about the philosophy of life, love, sin and virtue. The author was still practicing law at Hamirpur when he wrote the novel, which brought him immediate fame and started his literary career.
It is said to be modelled on Anatole France's 1890 novel Thaïs but set in India.[1]
However, the author noted in the book's in preface:
"The difference between Chitralekha and Anatole France's Thaïs, is as much as there is in me and Anatole. In Chitralekha, there is a problem, it is my own perspective of seeing the virtue and vice of human life, and it is also the music of my soul."[2]
Synopsis
Chitralekha is a slim volume of literary work that explores the very essence of the universal truths of human life in a social setup. It is woven around an intense love story that reflects on and flashes out not just the various aspects of human nature but also the myriad dilemmas that we face in our lifetime.
The story starts with a dialogue between the great hermit Ratnambar and his disciples, Shwetank and Vishaldev, about sins committed by humans. They ultimately conclude that humans become victims and slaves of circumstance. According to Ratnambar, no sin and virtue therefore exist per se. All do deeds according to circumstances that befall them in their lifetime. The author also discusses the views that sin may be in action but never in thought, anuraag (attachment/passion) is in desire, and viraag (alienation/lack of passion) comes from gratification (tripti). Through the various twists and turns of the plot, Bhagwaticharan Varma displays a candour and liberalism that are not otherwise associated with Hindi literature of pre-independence India.
Through Chitralekha's character, the author describes the life of a truly empowered woman: beautiful and strong from within, materialistic by choice, largehearted by nature, and honest to the core. Chitralekha busts many myths surrounding a real and humane woman. She firmly holds the reins of her own life and is commanding in not letting society and social pressures influence her. Her honesty with herself through introspection and her refusal to let her ego come in the way of atonement lead her to victory in life since she attains both peace within passion and passion within peace.
This novel is a love story about a young general, Bijgupta, who leads a luxurious life while serving under the Mauryan Empire and King Chandragupta Maurya (340 BCE – 298 BCE) and the beautiful dancer and young widow, Chitralekha. Kumargiri, a hermit, also falls in love with Chitralekha and becomes a victim of his circumstances. Shwetaank and Vishaldev wish to find the truth about the holy and the unholy in life, as suggested by their guru, Ratnambar, but they too become slaves of circumstances, as does Bijgupta. The other characters are Yashodhara, the princess; Yashodhara's father, the aged Mritunjay; and Chanakya, who has been woven into the novel to make it interesting.
The novel has 22 sections that clearly demonstrate the futility of being judgmental.
Adaptations
A Hindi movie, Chitralekha, released in 1964 was based on the novel. Directed by Kidar Sharma, it starred Ashok Kumar, Meena Kumari and Pradeep Kumar in leading roles. The director has also directed Chitralekha (1941), which was based on the same novel.[3][4]
