Eid Festival
Posted by Ashish Sinha on October 1, 2008
Standing near my balcony, I watch people celebrating Eid with fervor and joy. Suddenly my mind takes me down the memory lane and I start thinking about Hameed and Ameena ; Characters in short story “Eidgah” written by Munshi Premchand, a legendary writer and thinker.
Munshi Premchand used to describe human state of mind, living conditions and their feelings in such a heart touching way that reader would find himself as part of the story. This is reflected from the fact that whenever EId comes, I remember this short story “Eidgah.
The story of “Eidgah” deals with bonding between a little child Hameed and his grandmother Ameena. Hameed is an orphan and is poor and this makes his grandmother concerned about him as he plans to go to the Eidgah for prayers followed by visiting mela (fair where people buy sweets, toys etc). Instead of buying sweets and toys, Hameed prefers to spend his Edi on buying a pair of tongs for his grandmother who makes roti ( bread) with hands often resulting in her fingers getting burnt. However, when Hameed reaches home and gives the tongs to his grandmother, he is scolded by her because Grandmother feels that he could not find any better thing to buy out of his Edi. Hameed then tells her Grandmother the reason behind spending his Edi on buying a Chimta is to save her fingers from getting burnt, hearing this the grandmother sobs, breaks down and hugs little Hameed.
I feel this small story is so good and emotional that it must be narrated to little children on Eid day. This will help the new generation to become a good person. I do know how many children are narrated this story by their parents but this could be the best gift to a child on Eid.
Munshi Premchand, though a hindu Kayastha has written this story with so fine details and has injected a real life like situation that shows there were no religious boundaries in old days. The story is simple but gives a strong message to all of us that Eid is a festival of love and giving. However, I think it is difficult to find Hameed in this materialistic world where love, care and affection are words only to be found in dictionary.
This blog is my tribute to Late Munshi Premchand.
Happy Eid to all!
santosh Abraham said
This is really a nice post, i came to it from google search on Premchand, but after reading this I cant leave without giving this feedback. Nice message dude, we need this kind of post for secular India, brotherhood, bhaichara, Peace, and to fight with love against the internal enemies hidden in the society, who spread hate based on religion cast and race.
Thanks dude, this is one of my favorite stories, it was on my class 5th Hindi text book the sir who taught us narrated the story so well, that our eyes filled with tears, so touching story, I was searching for the book, but could’nt find it, because i looked for ‘Hameed ka chimta’ but the title of the book is Eidgah.
Ashish Sinha said
Dear SA,
Thank you for visiting my blog and I am glad to know your thoughts match with majority of our Indians.
Will try to keep writing things that touch our heart and soul
Please keep visiting and enrich us through your valuable comments
Warm regards
Ashish Sinha