Prithivivallabh

Prithivivallabh (pronounced [pru.tʰi.vi.vəl.ləbʰ]) is a 1921 Gujarati historical novel by Kanaiyalal Munshi.

This article is about 1921 Gujarati novel. For other uses, see Prithvi Vallabh (disambiguation).
Prithivivallabh
Cover (1966 Edition)
AuthorKanaiyalal Munshi
Original titleપૃથિવીવલ્લભ
CountryIndia
LanguageGujarati
GenreHistorical fiction
Set inMedieval India
PublisherThe Sahityaprakashak Co. Ltd. (1921), Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (1966)
Publication date
1921
Pages161 (1966)
OCLC11179581
891.473
LC ClassMLCSA 90/03341

Plot

Prithivivallabh is based on history of Malwa region of India. The novel depicts the rivalry between Munj, the ruler of Dharanagari and Tailap as well as the romance between Munj and Mrinal. Munj had defeated Tailap several times but Tailap captures Munj with help of his feudatory Yadava king Bhillamraj. In captivity, Munj falls in love with Mrinal, Tailap's widow sister. Celibate Mrinal too falls in his love but in the end Tailap gets Munj killed under the feet of an elephant. The love story of Bhoj, a poet; and Vilas, daughter of Bhillamraj engaged with Satyashraya, son of Tailap; runs in parallel.[1]

Origin

Munshi was interested in medieval history of India and was attracted to Munj's depiction in works of that era. Munshi has mentioned the works of several poets of that time who have praised Munj in their works such as Dhanajaya's Dasarupaka, Dhanika's Avaloka based on Dasarupaka, Dhanpala's son Sarvadeva's Paiya Lachchhi and Rishabhapanchashika in preface of the book. He has also mentioned Nava-sahasanka-charita by Padmagupta written during the reign of Sindhuraja, successor of Munja. Munshi was interested in his love of poetry and his military endeavors. He also studied Tailapa's history. Munshi mentioned that all characters he used in novel are historical like Tailapa's son Akalakacharita or Satyashraya; Bhillam Yadava of Seunadesha, his wife Lakshmi who was daughter of the Rashtrakuta king Zanza of Thana as well as Mrinalvati. Munshi confesses in the preface that he was attracted to Munja as other novelists. He had idea to write novella on him for years and finally started its writing when his friend and publisher Haji Mohammed Allarakha insisted. Haji had died before Munshi completed the novella.[2]

Reception

Prithivivallabh was well received by the readers as well as critics. The book had its second edition in 1924.[2] The book has several editions and has been translated in Hindi. Chandrakant Topiwala lauds depiction of the period, speedy episodes, dramatic presentation, characterization and language. He also lauds lack of complexity in the novel. He adds that even though novel is less historical and more fiction it juxtaposes celibate Mrinal and romantic Munj very well. Prashad Brahmbhatt equates Munj with Friedrich Nietzsche's Übermensch (Superman).[1] The lack of moral values in the novel raised controversy.[3] It was criticised for its "uninhibited presentation of sensuous life bordering to hedonism and irreverent attitude to the Hindu ideals of austerity and abstinence".[4]

Adaptations

The novel was adapted into a silent film in 1924 by Manilal Joshi which was criticized by Mahatma Gandhi for its content. Prithvi Vallabh is 1943 Hindi film directed by Sohrab Modi based on the script written by Munshi which was adapted from the book. Prithvi Vallabh - Itihaas Bhi, Rahasya Bhi is 2018 Indian historical drama broadcast on from Sony Entertainment Television also took inspiration from the book.[5][6][7]

gollark: No, humans just act irrationally all the time for no good reason.
gollark: We should have neural network generated IQ tests.
gollark: You can't get some sort of highly accurate picture of intelligence out of a random test thing, but it's an approximation, sort of thing.
gollark: I think equalisers are some things for fiddling with sound balance?
gollark: I don't know what it is, but I do have one!

References
  1. "સવિશેષ પરિચય: કનૈયાલાલ મુનશી, ગુજરાતી સાહિત્ય પરિષદ" [K M Munshi - Gujarati Sahitya Parishad]. Gujarati sahitya parishad (in Gujarati). Retrieved 2018-01-21.
  2. Munshi, Kanaiyalal Maneklal (1920). Prithivi Vallabh (in Gujarati). Mumbai: The Sahitya Prakashak Company Limited. pp. 2–5 – via Gujarat Vidyapith Library.
  3. Mehta, Deepak B. (1992). "Modern Gujarati Literature". In George, K. M. (ed.). Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and Poems. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 130. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0.
  4. Das, Sisir Kumar (2005). History of Indian Literature: 1911-1956, struggle for freedom : triumph and tragedy. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 105. ISBN 978-81-7201-798-9.
  5. Pandya, Sonal. "75 years of Prithvi Vallabh: In love and war with Sohrab Modi, Durga Khote". Cinestaan. Retrieved 2018-05-08.
  6. Neville, Pran (2015-12-24). "A gem called Jahanara Kajjan". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
  7. "'Prithvi Vallabh' is 20% history, 80% mystery: Anirudh Pathak". Indian Television. 2018-01-11. Retrieved 2018-01-24.
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