Chitralekha (novel)
Chitralekha is a 1934 Hindi novel by the Indian novel writer Bhagwati Charan Verma about the philosophy of life, love, sin and virtue.
It is said to be modelled on Anatole France's 1890 novel Thaïs but set in India. However, the author noted in the book's 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."
Synopsis
Chitralekha is a slim volume with a narrative that is woven around a love story, and reflects on various aspects of human life.The story commences with a dialogue between the revered hermit Ratnakar and his disciples, Shwetaank and Vishaldev, discussing the sins of humanity. They conclude that humans are often victims and slaves of circumstance. Ratnakar posits that sin and virtue are not inherent but products of our circumstances. The author, Bhagwati Charan Varma, explores the notion that sin may be in action. Still, never in thought, anuraag is in desire, and viraag comes from tripti. This candid and liberal perspective is a departure from the traditional Hindi literature of pre-independence India.
Chitralekha, the protagonist, embodies the life of a truly empowered woman: beautiful and resilient, driven by her own choices, generous by nature, and unwaveringly honest. She shatters the stereotypes surrounding women, presenting an accurate and humane portrayal. Chitralekha takes charge of her life, refusing to be swayed by societal norms and pressures. Her self-reflection and refusal to let her ego hinder her path to redemption lead her to triumph, as she finds both peace within passion and passion within peace.
This novel is a love story about a young general, Beejgupta and Chitralekha who was a beautiful dancer and a young widow. Beejgupta lives a luxurious life while serving under the Mauryan Empire ruled by King Chandragupta Maurya. 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 of life, as suggested by their guru, Ratnakar, but they too become slaves of circumstances, as does Beejgupta. 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 demonstrate clearly the futility of being judgmental.