Sexual adventures in "Chitralekha"
Chitralekha (for those who do not know) is a hindi novel by Bhagvati Prasad Vajpeyi.
It examines the role of sex in spiritual journeys.
It is a story of two friends who study in a gurukul together. One of them is a brahmin's son and seeks the path of the ascetic. His friend is a prince and goes back to his life of sensual gratification and action.
.
Chitralekha is the gorgeous courtesan who lives in the kingdom the prince rules over. They enter into a sexual relationship, which for the prince is a natural way of living.
The ascetic comes to visit his friend and admonishes his friend on sensual excesses. However, once exposed to them, he falls to their charms, including Chitralekha.
Its is from Chitralekha that he learns what true detachment means. She loves the prince and he shows no attachment, while enjoying her company as part of his natural life. the ascetic on the other hand, while claiming to show detachment cannot stop thinking about her physical charms.
The book examines the man who is driven by his passions and one who is driven by his intellect and contrasts different approches to sexual motivations as part of the greater framework of desires and senses.
They made a film on this a while back which did not do it any justice. It had a lovely song though. This line always haunts me:
" sansar se bhaage phirte ho
bhagwaan ko tum kya payego"
(How can you find God if you run away from the world?)
I was reminded of this book which deals with these isues with great openenss and maturity. It flays the puritan image of Indian literature in contemporary times. I wish there was a translation more could read.
It examines the role of sex in spiritual journeys.
It is a story of two friends who study in a gurukul together. One of them is a brahmin's son and seeks the path of the ascetic. His friend is a prince and goes back to his life of sensual gratification and action.
.
Chitralekha is the gorgeous courtesan who lives in the kingdom the prince rules over. They enter into a sexual relationship, which for the prince is a natural way of living.
The ascetic comes to visit his friend and admonishes his friend on sensual excesses. However, once exposed to them, he falls to their charms, including Chitralekha.
Its is from Chitralekha that he learns what true detachment means. She loves the prince and he shows no attachment, while enjoying her company as part of his natural life. the ascetic on the other hand, while claiming to show detachment cannot stop thinking about her physical charms.
The book examines the man who is driven by his passions and one who is driven by his intellect and contrasts different approches to sexual motivations as part of the greater framework of desires and senses.
They made a film on this a while back which did not do it any justice. It had a lovely song though. This line always haunts me:
" sansar se bhaage phirte ho
bhagwaan ko tum kya payego"
(How can you find God if you run away from the world?)
I was reminded of this book which deals with these isues with great openenss and maturity. It flays the puritan image of Indian literature in contemporary times. I wish there was a translation more could read.
posted by Sumita | 9:23 AM
8 Comments:
Hi There !! stumbled upon ya Blog while reading the review for Mediocre but Arrogant -
True Detachment, thats wot intrigued me.. Read this book "Tuesdays With Moire", gave me the Truest sense and meaning of Detachment...
i neva knew who or wot 'Chirtalekha' is/was. i thot it to be some 'period-Movie'.. but was a revelation that such mature indian art existed..
ya ya ya am kinda novice to litreture.. trying to find good read :-)
Siddhart..
I remember the film Trishangni made in 1989. Nana Patekar, Alok Nath and Pallavi Joshi acted in it. Nana Patekar plays the role of a cruel sadistic monk who tries to prevent Pallavi Joshi and her lover getting married. Alok nath, plays the role of the senior monk who does not like the behaviour of the junior monk and approves of the young couple's plans to marry. An interesting comparison of two men - one who wears the robes of a monk but is not a monk at heart and the other a true monk. (p.s. Could not get the name of this movie when I commented on the smae blog in Sulekha. Google zindabad!)
Chitralekha is a great novel written by great writer Bhagwaticharan verma
and not by any Bhagvati Prasad Vajpeyi
and if you want to give your mind a break and you are in mood of being thoughtful for sometime do read it.its great work of hindi literature
You do a great job, bye
Great Analysis!!! I would like to post this article on my blog.
Can I do that?
Abhijeet
You most surely can
Thanks
sumita
Hi Sumati,
Thanks a lot. I have published your post with your name.
I liked your writings. Just wondering why you stop writing on this blog.
If possible start writing again, I will be glad to see.
BTW I have added you in my blog list.
Thanks.
CHITRALEKHA NOVEL IS WRITTEN BY BHAGVATI CHARAN VERMA (1903-1981) in 1934 and two movies are made based on this novel. first in 1941 and another in 1964 starring ashok kumar, prdeep kumar, meena kumari. please correct the name of author of this novel.great work is done in hindi literature by bhagvati charan verma.
Post a Comment
<< Home