This book tells the story of “Kedar” a young man who through life’s sometimes cruel plays, ends up affecting and impacting on the world and happiness of “Panna Lal and his family. This book is set in 1930’s Punjab, before partition and was originally written in the Punjabi Language. Navdeep Suri has translated this Indian classic masterfully, preserving the sadness and poetry that flow through this exceptional work.
The Author, Nanak Singh has been described as the father of the Punjabi Novel
Nanak Singh was one of the prolific writers of Punjabi literature. He wrote nearly four dozen of books. Many of which have been translated into other languages. Chitta Lahu (White Blood) was translated into Russian by Natasha Tolstoy, granddaughter of Leo Tolstoy. Natasha visited Amritsar to personally give Nanak Singh the first copy of translation. The watchmaker is a translation of Nanak Singh's classic Pavitra Paapi by Nanak Singh's grandson, Navdeep Suri. It's a story of Kedar who works for the redemption of a sin for which he finds himself guilty. During this process, he falls in love with a girl but doesn't get married due to his guilty conscience. The translation is brilliant but it feels something is missing from the translation which might be present in the original work to make it classic. I wish I could read Gurmukhi to get closer to this kind of books.
Just finished reading 'THE WATCHMAKER' a moving tale of love, respect and melancholy. The original work aptly titled 'pavitra paapi' describes the life of a man who's taken the support of lies to do the godliest deed of preserving the ruth. A must read. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13...
This book, a small 180 page paperback, caught my attention while strolling in the Second Amdavad National Book Fair, and I decided to buy it as soon as I read the description on the back cover.
" Kedar, orphaned and penniless, comes to Rawalpindi in search of a job. He finds employment as a watchmaker,but discovers, to his horror, that he has taken away Panna Lal's job, whose debts are mountins by the day................"
on the very first day of this job, a deadly curse falls on his head from the wrenched heart of this Pannalal who confesses in his letter that he has not left him any option than to die.
With this letter opens the story of this marvelous Punjabi classic by Nanak Singh. The novel, starting from a brief prologue in a first person singular by the author keeps you rooted to the tale untill the last page of the story. The way he has weaved the character of the Watchmaker, and the way he has tried to portray the emotions of a man orphaned and alone at too young an age.
The second most important character in this book Veena, the adolescent daughter of Pannalal, who has taken a prime spot in the heart of this young man, and who impresses the reader with her simple yet elegant poise, is a beauty everyone would praise for. The way her emotions, and her dilemma, and her sobs have been penned down in the novel, you almost feel like entering the plot and patting her shoulder to ease her pain. A young girl of barely 15 who till a few days ago was happily playing in the rosy fantasies of a dreamlike marriage, finds herself in a tight, tearful a situation where she learns that the Man she's taken care of as a big brother, homes feelings for her, and threatens to die for her.
Then there is Maya, the wife of that wretched man, who provides shelter and food to the stranger who's taken away her husband, harbours a motherly feeling for this young man Kedar,and showers all her affection on him. Coming so close to replace the original mother he has lost a few years ago.
The story is gripping from the start, and not a single word is wasted carrying the unwanted frills other emo-writers would've invested upon. Its plain, its easy, its smooth. Its words are not heavy, and the lines are exactly the lines you'd have thought had you been in the characters's place. The author has narrated it so beautifully you'll not notice a single flaw in the simple storyline.
I'm suppersing my wish of writing too much in this review, lest I disclose whole of the plot. So I end this post without probing further. In case you're looking for a classic tale, carrying the simple and measured tones of the 50's era of righteousness and honour, this book is for you. I'm sure.
This is a moving love story of a young man, who takes the job of an old man in a watch shop. The young man realizes that the young man he replaced had never reached his home and had disappeared. The young man starts supporting the family of old man secretly and falls in love with the daughter of the old man. The young man never expresses his love and one day he leaves forever alone.
Saintly Sinner (Pavitra Paapi) by Nanak Singh- The story is of Punjab, British India. Pannalal is employed in a clock repairing shop of Lala Atarchand situated in the main market. Kedarnath another clock repair worker comes from his village to the town. He is an acquaintance of Lala Amarchand. Amarchand removes Pannalal from service and employs Kedarnath in his place. Pannalal's family consists to two growing up daughters. Without a job, Pannalal is unable to run his family. He leaves a note for Lala Amarchand stating that he is responisble for the sad state of affairs in his family and leaves the house for an unknown destination informing his family that he is visiting a far off friend who will proivde him fiinancial support. Kedarnath reads the letter of Pannalal and is filled with guilt that he has led to the grave situation. Kedarnath lives in the house of Pannalal as a tenant. Thus, he meets the family of Pannalal, his wife Maya and two daughters Veena and Vidhya, helps them financially. Kedarnath finds that Pannalal has bethothed his elder daughter to marry son of Daulatram. This family members inform Pannalal's wife that they want that the marriage should be performed soon as they cannot wait any longer for Pannalal to return with the money and the marriage may be cancelled. Kedarnath is in love with Veena but he supress his love steals money from the Clock shop, gives it to Maya for the marriage of her daughter informing her that the money has been sent by Pannalal. Kedarnath leaves the town for another place where he works and pays back the stolen money to Lala Amarchand in instalments. Daulatram's family prove to be rogues and donot treat Veena properly. On knowing that his daughter Veena has been married to Daulatram's son, Pannalal returnes to the house of Veena's in laws and finds that except for her father in law all other members of the family treat Veena badly. He is saddened adn brings Veena back to his house. Kedarnath is working in Delhi and is financially well to do. Pannalal locates him and informs about his family situation. Kedarnath returns, meets Veena's husband, makes him realise his mistake of mistreating Veena. Veena goes back to her in laws house and lives happily. Kedarnath returns back to his work. The book has been converted into a movie of the same name Pavitra Paapi, which has been quite successful at the box office. It is quire a good read book for all.
I really like this Novel like it is one of the best novels that i have read. In this novel, there is character of Kedar which really reminds the tale of your life is not in your hands but in God’s hand. Why Panna Lal disappears when there is so much need of his to his family. I think, It is a story of courage which is shown only in Kedar’s character not in Panna Lal which is a coward. Whole life story of Kedar is a misery and a sin which he never did but still felt every second of his life because of Panna Lal. Talking about his love story which never had happened. Its kind of painful love story. Veena also want to marry Kedar but because of Panna Lal (which seems to be dead but alive), he never approached to say Veena’s mother that he was in love with Veena. Nanak Singh’s imagination and all the characters especially Kedar is outstanding and a misery character which i like the most. I would say if you want to read the story which every moment binds you this is the novel. At first i feel boring but then i just skip my meal to read this masterpiece.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
ਪਵਿੱਤਰ ਪਾਪੀ (1942) ਨਾਨਕ ਸਿੰਘ In Nanak Singh's "Pavittar Papi," ( THE HOLY SINNER) we follow the story of Mr. Kamal, whose chance encounter with Panna Lal's family leads to a journey filled with themes of kindness, love, sacrifice and redemption. The story beautifully explores Mr. Kamal's inner conflict when he falls in love, offering a touching portrayal of human emotions and complexities of human heart. It's a heartfelt novel with a powerful message about the importance of compassion and selflessness. In today’s world , it is increasingly rare to find people who embody the virtues of selflessness and sacrifice.
If you have not read "Pavitar Paapi" then you have surely missed an illecebrous piece of writing skills. I am dazzled by the way in which he presents his characters and shows his own freedom using them as a means. Pavitar paapi has been translated into English under the name of "Saintly Sinner". Natasha Tolstoy, grand-daughter of novelist Leo Tolstoy, translated Nanak Singh's novel Chitta Lahu into Russian. She visited Nanak Singh in Amritsar to present the first copy of the translated novel to him.
I don't know about my brother but now we all (my mum, dad and sis) read this fantastic book. I am glad I read it in Punjabi (my mothertongue) and it made more impact on me. Kidar was really a saintly sinner who did everything with a big heart for somebody's else family. This book is emotional though gonna make you learn the forgotten lessons on humanity. I am looking forward to read more from Nanak Singh. If his this book works as a part of syllabus at Delhi University, I am sure he has written some other jewels too. Sentimental yet so true to heart story!! Kinda made me cry :(
It was my first Punjabi novel. For the beginner its very good book to develop habit of reading. Nanak singh did amazing job. You will feel like connected with each character of book. Heart touching story. Now i am going for chita lahu by nanak singh for sure. 👌👌👌
Nanak Singh ji masterfully portrays the tragedy of unspoken love and the impact of emotional repression on relationships...this novel serves as a touching reminder of the importance of vulnerability and open communication in matters of the heart... a must read!
Pavitar Papi is a beautiful story that shows real human feelings in a rich cultural setting. It talks about sacrifice and struggle in society, and its message is still meaningful today. I really liked its plot and how beautifully it is written.