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M. A. Banake Kyon Meri Mitti Kharab Ki?
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Wikipedia article
'M. A. Banake Kyon Meri Mitti Kharab Ki?' is a 1908 Gujarati social novel by Indian writer Amrit Keshav Nayak (18771907). It is an autobiographical style novel of an unemployed postgraduate. It is a satire on education system and prevalent social customs. The novel was well received by the readers.
History
Amrit Keshav Nayak, a popular Gujarati and Urdu theatre actor and writer, serialised the novel in 'Gujarati' weekly. It was posthumously published in a book form in 1908 by Gujarati Press. It had several editions. The novel was republished by Gujarat Sahitya Akademi.
Content
The novel has fifty chapters depicting shortcomings of contemporary education system and prevalent unemployment in educated. It is also a satire on an egoistic person who is alienated from his clan due to his superiority complex. It is written in an autobiographical style which quickly gains sympathy of the readers.
The lead character Manekchand has studied M. A. from the Government College in Lahore. He has studied B.A. in Mathematics and Philosophy. He has spent money of 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 has rejected his job applications depicting joblessness among the educated. His joblessness is looked down by other people.
There are about 10-12 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 then. he has 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 novel has influences of Hindi, Urdu and Persian languages. The dialogues are theatrical in nature because of Nayak's experience with the theatre.
The preface of the novel included a biographical essay on Nayak by his friend Thakkur Narayandas Visanji.
Translation
The novel was translated in Hindi by Chhannulal Dwivedi and published by Pustak Bhavan, Banaras in 1923.
Reception
The novel was well received by the readers and became popular. According to British Museum catalog, the novel "[exposed] the evils of social life of Indian graduates of the present time."
Notes
References
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