Godaan

infobox Book |
name = The Gift of a Cow
title_orig = Godaan (गोदान)
translator = Gordon C. Roadarmel


image_caption =
author = Munshi Premchand
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = India
language = Hindi
series =
genre = Novel
publisher = Lokamaya Press (Eng. trans.)
release_date = 1936
english_release_date = 15 July 1987
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages =
isbn = ISBN 0948924071 (Eng. trans. paperback)
preceded_by =
followed_by =

Godaan (गोदान) "The Gift of a Cow" is a Hindi novel by Munshi Premchand.

It was first published in 1936 and is considered the greatest Hindi novel of modern Indian literature. [ [http://www.kalpana.it/eng/writer/indian_writers/phanishwarnath_renu.htm Most significant Hindi novel] ] Themed around the socio economic deprivation as well as the exploitation of the village poor, the novel was the last complete novel of Premchand. [ [http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2003/stories/20030214007511800.htm Frontline, Volume 20 - Issue 03, February 01 - 14, 2003] ]

Its English translation first published in 1968, by Gordon C. Roadarmel is now also considered a classic by itself. [ [https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no27200.htm Godaan at vedambooks] ]

Godaan was made into a Hindi film in 1963, starring Rajkumar, Mehmood and Shashikala. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0370598/ Godaan (1963 film)] ] In 2004, Godaan was part of the 26-episode TV series, ‘Tehreer.... Munshi Premchand Ki ‘, based on the writing of Premchand, starring Pankaj Kapur and Surekha Sikri, directed by Gulzar and produced by Doordarshan. [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040815/spectrum/main6.htm The Tribune, Sunday, August 15, 2004] ]

ynopsis

The protagonist, Hori, a poor peasant, desperately longs for a cow, a symbol of wealth and prestige in rural India. Hori gets a cow but pays with his life for it. After his death, the village priests demand a cow from his widow to bring his soul to peace. [ [http://society.indianetzone.com/literature/1/godan.htm Godaan of Munshi Premchand – A review] ]

Connection with Hinduism

The act of donating a cow in charity or Godan is considered to be an important Hindu ritual, as it helps in dissolving ones sins and incurring divine blessings.

References

External links

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* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/hinduism/ritesrituals/weddings.shtml Godan or Gau daan]