Mahadevi Verma Hindi Stories Neelkanth

Mahadevi Verma was a prominent Hindi poet, freedom fighter, and educationist. She is widely regarded as one of the four major poets of the Chhayavad movement in Hindi literature. She was also a prolific writer of prose, essays, and stories. One of her most famous stories is "Neelkanth", which is about a peacock and his mate.

Summary of Neelkanth

The story is set in Prayag, a city known for its peace and culture. However, there is a corner of the city called Nakhaskona, where violence and crime are rampant. There are also shops that sell knives, scissors, and other sharp tools. There is also a government hospital for eyes, where people can get their vision corrected. And there is another hospital, where injured and dying people are brought. The narrator of the story is attracted to this corner because of the birds and animals that are kept in cages by the cruel sellers. She often visits them and tries to help them by giving them water, food, or freeing them. She also brings home some of the birds whose wings have been cut.

Download File

One day, she returns from the station after dropping off a guest. She asks the driver to take her to Nakhaskona, where she wants to see the birds and animals. As she reaches near the shop of a bird seller, he stops her and tells her that he has two peacock chicks, one male and one female. He says that he caught them from Shankargarh, and that some people wanted to buy them for their claws, which are used in medicine. He says that he refused to sell them because he has a human heart, and that he reserved them for her. He also complains about his profession, which involves catching and killing innocent birds.

The narrator feels pity for the peacocks and agrees to buy them. She pays him 25 rupees and takes them home in a basket. She names the male peacock Neelkanth, because of his blue neck. She keeps them in a big cage in her garden, where they can see the sky and the trees. She feeds them grains, fruits, and insects. She also gives them water in a big earthen pot.

Neelkanth and his mate grow up quickly and become beautiful birds. Neelkanth develops a long tail with colorful feathers. He becomes very friendly with the narrator and follows her everywhere. He also learns to imitate some words like "Ram Ram" and "Radhe Shyam". He likes to play with water and splash it on himself and his mate. He also likes to dance in the rain and spread his tail like a fan.

His mate, however, is very shy and timid. She does not like to interact with anyone except Neelkanth. She does not learn any words or play any games. She only eats and sleeps in the cage. She is afraid of everything outside the cage, like dogs, cats, crows, or humans. She does not even like to see the sky or the trees.

The narrator tries to make her more friendly and cheerful, but she fails. She wonders why she is so different from Neelkanth, who is so lively and happy. She thinks that maybe she misses her home in Shankargarh, where she was born and raised in freedom.

Themes of Neelkanth

The story explores the themes of freedom, love, nature, and human-animal relationship. It shows how different animals have different personalities and needs, and how they suffer when they are caged or separated from their natural habitat. It also shows how humans can be cruel or kind to animals, depending on their motives and emotions.

The story contrasts the characters of Neelkanth and his mate, who represent two different responses to captivity. Neelkanth adapts to his new environment and forms a bond with the narrator, who treats him with love and care. He enjoys his life in the cage and finds happiness in simple things like water, rain, or words. He does not lose his spirit or beauty despite being caged.

His mate, on the other hand, does not adapt to her new environment and remains aloof from everyone except Neelkanth. She does not enjoy her life in the cage and finds no happiness in anything. She loses her spirit and beauty because of being caged. She longs for her freedom and home, where she can fly and roam freely.

The story also shows the power of love, which can transcend the barriers of species and language. Neelkanth loves his mate deeply and tries to protect her from any harm. He also loves the narrator, who saved him from being killed and gave him a home. He expresses his love by following her, talking to her, and dancing for her. He also respects her wishes and does not try to escape from the cage.

The narrator loves Neelkanth and his mate as well, and treats them as her children. She cares for them, feeds them, and plays with them. She also respects their wishes and does not force them to do anything they do not like. She understands their feelings and emotions, and tries to make them happy.

Conclusion

Neelkanth is a touching story that makes us think about the plight of animals who are captured and caged by humans for various purposes. It also makes us appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature, and the bond that can exist between humans and animals. It is a story that appeals to our hearts and minds, and inspires us to be more compassionate and respectful towards all living beings.

Source: [Story Neelkanth Mor by Mahadevi Verma]

a7a7d27f09