 Cover page | |
| Author | Neelam Karki Niharika |
|---|---|
| Original title | चीरहरण |
| Language | Nepali |
| Genre | Mythological retelling |
| Published | 2016 |
| Publisher | Sangri-La Books |
| Publication place | Nepal |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 526 |
| Award | Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar |
| ISBN | 9789937905374 |
| Preceded by | Arki Aaimai |
| Followed by | Yogmaya |
Cheerharan (Nepali:चीरहरण) is a 2016Nepali mythological novel byNeelam Karki Niharika. It was published by Sangri-La Books and is the ninth book of the author. The book won thePadmashree Sahitya Puraskar in the year 2016.[1]
The novel is a retelling of theMahabharata epic. It shows the pain suffered by women in the political and social environment in the epic. Karki has presented the views of various females characters such asSatyawati,Kunti,Ambika,Ambalika,Gandhari, etc. in this book unlike the epic which is mostly male-centered.[2]
Cheerharan is a retelling of the infamous humiliation ofDraupadi from theSabha Parva ofMahabharata. During the game of dice,Pandavas place their wife Draupadi for the bet and loses her after which she is humiliated by theKauravsas. The Kauravas strips her in front of the whole court and Pandavas do nothing to protect her dignity. In the end,Lord Krishna interferes to save her from humiliation. This part is one of the key moments that eventually lead toMahabarata war.[3]
The novel draws a parallel on the exploitation of women during that period and the modern age.
The book won thePadmashree Sahitya Puraskar for the year 2072BS.[4] The book was also shortlisted for the prestigiousMadan Puraskar for the same year but lost toRamlal Joshi'sAina. Karki later went on to win the prize for her next novel -Yogmaya.
Rishi Ram Bhusal in his review forThe Annapurna Post praised this book as "a valuable addition to Nepali literature".[5]
Works based on theMahabharata | |
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| Others | |
