Review of The Book Muna Madan [Book Review]

Muna Madan Book Review

Muna Madan

Title:- Muna Madan

Author: - Laxmi Prasad Devkota

Publisher: -Sajha Prakashan, Kathmandu, Nepal

Publish Year: -2008

Edition: Twenty-fifth Edition

Genre:- Nepali Poetry

Language:- Nepali

Muna Madan is a folk epic narrating the tragic story of Muna and Madan written in the poetic version in 1935 by Nepalese poet Laxmi Prasad Devkota. It is one of the most popular works in Nepali literature. Just before his death in 1959 Devkota made his famous statement, "It would be all right if all my works were burned, except for Muna Madan." It is the most commercially successful Nepali book ever published. It is based on the Journey folk tune.

The book describes the life of a man (Madan) who leaves his wife (Muna) and goes to Lhasa to make money. Madan represents all the youths of Nepal who go abroad to earn money to earn their living. The wife of Madan, Muna is the queen of love and sacrifice. She loves her Madan a lot so she is upset as she has to send him to a place, Lhasa, where there are lots of obstacles and risks. But finally, she accepts this challenge and stays in the country with her mother-in-law who is old and weak.

While returning home, Madan becomes sick on the way. His friends leave him on the road and come back home saying he has died. Finally, he is rescued by a man who is considered to be of a lower caste in Nepal. That is why it is said that a man is said to be great not by caste or race but by a heart full of love and humanity. When Madan returns to Kathmandu after regaining his health, he discovers that his mother and his beloved wife had already died. Madan comes to realize that money is of no value at that point.

The story also shows the life of a poor woman who suffered much without her husband and later dies because of grief. In this poem, Devkota has written about the biggest problems of the then Nepalese society.

Through the story of Muna and Madan, Laxmi Prasad Devkota wants to stabilize the facts of traditional societies, unscientific beliefs and the negative impacts of unemployment and poverty in Nepalese society. The poet has wonderfully defined love by writing about the relationship of Muna and Madan. The book has proved to be a great piece in Nepali Literature. I found this a-must-read book in Nepali literature.

Muna Madan is a short epic narrating the tragic story of Muna & Madan written by Nepalese poet LAXMI PRASAD DEVKOTA and one of the most popular works in Nepali literature. Muna Madan is based on an 18th-century ballad in Nepali languages entitled Ji Waya La Lachhi Maduni (It has not been a month since I came). The song, which is popular in Newar society, tells the story of a merchant from Kathmandu who leaves for Tibet on business leaving behind his newlywed bride. The wife is concerned for his safety as the journey to Tibet is filled with hardships, and she pleads with him not to go. But he leaves despite her protests. When he returns home after many years, he finds that she has died. 

Muna Madan describes the life of a man (Madan) who leaves his wife (Muna) and goes to Lhasa to make money, and while returning he becomes sick on the way. His friend, Ram, leave him on the road and come back home saying he has died. The story also shows the life of a poor woman who suffered much without her husband and later dies because of grief. Finally, he is rescued by a man who is considered to be of a lower caste in Nepal. That is why it is said that a man is said to be great not by caste or race but by a heart full of love and humanity. 

When Madan returns to Kathmandu after regaining his health, he discovers that his wife is dead and becomes grief-stricken. Madan comes to realize that money is of no value at that point. In this poem, Devkota has written about the biggest problems of the then Nepalese society. Just before his death in 1959 he made his famous statement, "It would be all right if all my works were burned, except for Muna Madan". It is the most commercially successful Nepali book ever published.