मेघना

by Devika Das, देविका दास

39 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

An award-winning author who writes on topics she is passionate about. She believes writing has liberated her and helped her explore her true personality :)

Reviews

[Honey & Anjali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before diving into the review let's take a moment to appreciate the simple and beautiful cover. Now moving on, I read Meghna by Devika Das and liked it. I have always been a fan of hindi books.

This book revolves around Meghna Sahay, a famous theatre actress and the difference between her real-life and reel-life. The writing style is simple and easy to read. I finished the book in no time as it's really short. I loved the poems too.

Overall, if you like hindi books you should definitely check this one out.

[Aruna Kumar Gadepalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short novella. Story revolves around a theatre artist's life.

[Nishat Tamannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Meghna"- A beautiful book written by a very talented author Devika Das. The book is well written in simple language which makes it really interesting. I personally loved reading this book as it makes you think about your life in a different way. The way she portrays Meghna as a strong character is really commendable. Her strong determination, will power and hardwork helped to fulfill her dreams. Also the book is very short so you can complete it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. Go give it a try guys!!

[Nipun Bamania · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was exciting to read a Hindi novel after a long long time. I usually read English novels, but Meghna was an interesting change of routine for me. As for the plot of the book, it is about Meghna Sahay, a famous theatre actress, who has just won a lifetime achievement award after a giving thirty years to theatre. She is fifty five years old and a spinster. The story revolves around an editor of a magazine, Sanjay Upadhyay, who plans to interview her. The interview forms the core of the story and takes us through the life of Meghna Sahay.
The story can relate to many theatre artists, as it is bases in the era when acting, and that too for females was considered taboo. A time when girls were expected to finish their studies, get married, and become housewives and raise families. The story takes us into the flashback of the artist and shows how artists can struggle to make it to the theatre.
The length of the book is short, which makes it a breezy read. The language is simple, and easy to connect with. In short a straightforward and interesting short story with good characterisation and short chapters. Pace of the book is good, and the story keeps the interest of the reader till the last word. A nice, breezy, interesting read.

[Debabrata Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Meghna" by Devika Das is a short yet impactful story that delves into the life of a theatre artist, portraying the often-overlooked struggles behind the glamour of the stage. The narrative follows Meghna Sahay, a celebrated theatre actress who, after three decades of dedication to her craft, is honored with a lifetime achievement award. Through an interview conducted by journalist Sanjay Upadhyay, the reader embarks on a reflective journey into Meghna’s past her relentless pursuit of artistic excellence, the sacrifices she made, and the emotional turmoil she endured along the way.

At its core, "Meghna" is a tale of passion, resilience, and self-discovery. It captures the protagonist’s evolution from an aspiring actress to a veteran performer, her current stature with her tumultuous past. While the premise is familiar an artist reflecting on their life’s journey the book stands out in its execution. Meghna’s life is presented as a series of defining moments, making the narrative immersive and engaging.

The storytelling technique, structured through an interview format, lends the book a natural flow. It allows for a seamless transition between Meghna’s past and present, making it easy for the reader to follow her journey. However, the story lacks an element of suspense or unpredictability. Since it follows a conventional trajectory of struggle and triumph, the anticipation factor remains low. Readers can easily predict Meghna’s trajectory, which somewhat diminishes the impact of her revelations.

Meghna Sahay is undeniably the heart of this book. She is crafted with depth and authenticity, making her struggles, triumphs, and emotions feel real. Her unwavering commitment to theatre, despite the hardships she faces, is inspiring. The book portrays her growth convincingly, showing how she transforms from a determined young woman to a seasoned artist with a lifetime of experience.

The secondary characters, while serving their purpose in Meghna’s journey, do not leave a lasting impact. Sanjay Upadhyay, the interviewer, acts as a narrative device rather than an individual with a compelling arc. While his presence helps in unveiling Meghna’s story, he lacks depth and complexity. The same can be said for other supporting characters, who, despite being integral to Meghna’s life, remain in the background.

One of the book’s strongest aspects is its fluid and engaging writing style. The author's command over Hindi makes the storytelling feel natural and authentic. The language is simple yet effective, making the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds.

Strengths:

✔ A well-developed protagonist with a compelling journey.
✔ Smooth and natural storytelling in Hindi.
✔ A thought-provoking exploration of the sacrifices behind artistic success.
✔ Short and engaging, making it a quick yet meaningful read.

Weaknesses:

✖ Predictable plotline with minimal suspense or twists.
✖ Supporting characters lack depth and memorability.
✖ Limited exploration of Meghna’s personal struggles beyond her career.
✖ Some parts feel rushed due to the book’s short length.

In conclusion, it is a touching and insightful look into the life of a theatre artist, shedding light on the unseen struggles behind the stage. While it may not offer groundbreaking revelations or a highly complex plot, it succeeds in delivering an emotional and inspiring narrative. Meghna’s story is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and the price of artistic dedication.

For readers who enjoy short yet meaningful stories in Hindi, it is a commendable choice. It offers a slice-of-life perspective on the theatre world while celebrating the resilience of those who dedicate their lives to art. However, those looking for a more intricate or suspenseful plot may find the book slightly underwhelming.

[Gaurav Jaiswal · Rating 5 out of 5]

देविका दास द्वारा लिखित मेघना एक प्रेरणादायक उपन्यास है जो संघर्ष, आत्म-खोज, और एक महिला के अपने सपनों को पाने के सफर को उजागर करता है। यह उपन्यास न केवल एक नायिका के जीवन की कहानी कहता है, बल्कि समाज की उन जटिलताओं को भी सामने लाता है जिनसे एक महिला को अपने लक्ष्य की ओर बढ़ते समय गुजरना पड़ता है। यह उपन्यास महिला सशक्तिकरण का बेहतरीन उदाहरण है। यह दिखाता है कि कैसे एक महिला समाज के बंधनों को तोड़कर अपने सपनों को पूरा कर सकती है। देविका दास ने समाज की उन जटिलताओं को उकेरा है, जो महिलाओं को सीमित करने का प्रयास करती हैं। पारंपरिक मान्यताएँ, परिवार की अपेक्षाएँ, और बाहरी दुनिया के पूर्वाग्रहों का असर कहानी में स्पष्ट रूप से दिखाई देता है।

कहानी मेघना नामक एक रंगमंच कलाकार के इर्द-गिर्द घूमती है। वह एक मध्यमवर्गीय परिवार से आती है और एक साधारण जीवन जी रही होती है। लेकिन उसके भीतर कुछ बड़ा करने की ललक है। उसका झुकाव कला और रंगमंच की ओर है, लेकिन समाज और परिवार की अपेक्षाएँ उसे रोकने की कोशिश करती हैं। मेघना की यात्रा संघर्षों से भरी है—आर्थिक कठिनाइयाँ, सामाजिक दबाव, आत्म-संदेह, और अपने सपनों को लेकर अनिश्चितता। लेकिन हर चुनौती का सामना करते हुए वह अपनी मंज़िल की ओर बढ़ती है। यह उपन्यास उसकी इसी यात्रा को बेहद संवेदनशील और यथार्थवादी ढंग से प्रस्तुत करता है। मेघना की कहानी हमें यह सिखाती है कि सफलता आसान नहीं होती, लेकिन अगर हमारे अंदर जुनून और धैर्य हो, तो हम अपनी मंज़िल तक पहुँच सकते हैं।

देविका दास की लेखन शैली सहज, प्रभावशाली और भावनात्मक रूप से समृद्ध है। उन्होंने कहानी को यथार्थवादी और संवेदनशील तरीके से प्रस्तुत किया है, जिससे पाठक तुरंत जुड़ाव महसूस करता है। उनकी भाषा सरल है, लेकिन उसमें गहराई है, जो कहानी की भावनात्मक अपील को और बढ़ाती है। मेघना: एक मजबूत इरादों वाली नायिका, जो अपने संघर्षों से सीखकर आगे बढ़ती है। लेखिका ने मुख्य किरदार मेघना के मानसिक संघर्ष, आशा, हताशा, और दृढ़ता को बेहद संवेदनशील ढंग से प्रस्तुत किया है। पूरी कहानी में एक सकारात्मक और प्रेरणादायक टोन है, जो पाठकों को आगे बढ़ने और अपने सपनों को पाने के लिए प्रेरित करती है।

मेघना सिर्फ एक उपन्यास नहीं, बल्कि एक यात्रा है—एक महिला की अपनी पहचान और सपनों को पाने की यात्रा। यह उन सभी पाठकों के लिए एक प्रेरणास्रोत है जो अपने जीवन में किसी लक्ष्य को पाने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं। देविका दास ने एक साधारण लड़की की असाधारण कहानी को इतनी खूबसूरती से पेश किया है कि यह पाठकों के दिल में गहरी छाप छोड़ती है। यह उपन्यास हर उस व्यक्ति को प्रेरित करेगा जो अपने सपनों को पूरा करने के लिए संघर्ष कर रहा है। अगर आपको संघर्ष, नारी सशक्तिकरण और आत्म-खोज से जुड़ी कहानियाँ पसंद हैं, तो मेघना निश्चित रूप से पढ़ने लायक है!

[Apurva Gupta · Rating 4 out of 5]

देविका दास द्वारा रचित “मेघना” एक लघु कथा है असमंजस की, स्वयं से ही जूंझते एक इंसान की।

काफी दिनों बाद कोई हिंदी किताब हाथ में ली थी। मानो अरसा हो गया हो हिंदी साहित्य को छुए। मेघना का पहला पन्ना पढ़ते ही फिर याद आया कि हिंदी एक बेहद खूबसूरत भाषा के रूप में क्यों जानी जाती है।

��े कहानी है पचपन वर्षीय मेघना की जो इसका मुख्य पात्र हैं। अपनी कहानी को मेघना सुनाती हैं खुद अपने एक प्रशंसक को। सवालों–सवालों में वो खोल देती है कई भारी–भरकम राज़ जो ना जाने कितने ही वर्षों से उनके कंधे पर बोझ बनकर जमे हुए थे।

कहानी की भाषा है तो शुद्ध हिंदी पर समझने में फिर भी काफी सहज और सरल। कुछ स्थानों पर व्याकरण और छपाई की छोटी–छोटी गलतियां हैं किताब में।

जहां तक लघु कथा की बात आती है, वहां पर किरदारों पर खासा ध्यान न देकर कहानी पर ध्यान केंद्रित किया जाता है। परंतु लेखिका देविका दास ने मेघना का किरदार क्या खूब लिखा है कि वो उभार कर आईं।

मेरी इस कहानी से दो ही शिकायतें हैं —
• पहली यह कि जब एक वृत्तांत से दूसरे की ओर रवानगी हुई, तब एक–आधा बार एहसास हुआ कि अचानक से ये कैसे। कैसे जुड़ी ये कड़ी मेघना की कहानी से?

• दूसरी, यह कहानी जितनी एक कलाकार के ऊपर बताई गई है, उतनी तवज्जु कला को नहीं दी गई। अगर कुछ दृश्यों में हाव–भाव, स्टेज, आदि को विस्तारित किया जाता तो और मज़ा आता।

अब आएं पुस्तक आवरण(book cover) की तरफ चलें। “मेघना” का cover बेहद ही आकर्षक है और इसे देखते ही इस किताब को खरीदने की इच्छा मन में उत्पन्न होती है।

मैं इस लेखनी को 3.8/5 सितारे दूंगी।

[Misty Basu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"हँस उठते पल मैं आर्द्र नयन
धूल जाता होंठो से विषाद
छा जाता जीवन मैं बसंत
लूट जाता चीर संचित बिराग
आंखे देती सर्वसाय वार
जो तुम आ जाते एक बार " - #Meghna by @authordevika 📚🔖

Meet Meghna sahay, an accomplished theatre artist who has just been awarded a lifetime achievement award for her relentless contribution to theatre and then there is Sanjay Upadhyay, a magazine editor who wants to interview Meghna and their interaction reveals the uncharted life story of meghna right from her youth to the starry days of limelight. This book cleverly portrays how the often the perceived glory and famed life of actors also have a fair share of struggles and dismay.
It is a very short and lucid read and yet it is quite interesting to witness how Author Devika has interspersed the book with poems, bringing forth the perspective of the protagonist.

Overall a well paced read, managing to hold the attention with its crisp and compact content.

A very special mention for its print - The pages are smooth and the well spaced and clean letters makes the book easy to comprehend to all readers of all ages and types.

Overall I would highly recommend this beautiful ode that salutes feminity, courage and resilience and is a must read for all.
My Score - 4⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 📖

[JT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about chasing your passion , about broken dreams, about lost love and an eternal bliss in loneliness .

The protagonist has to battle with her circumstances to pursue her dreams. She has to leave the comfort of her home in search of herself. During her journey she encounters friendship , love as well as achieves her dream of making a significant mark in her dream career.

This short story is a simple yet poignant tale about life’s journey which makes us meet different kinds of people and gives us plenty of experiences. The story deals with the protagonist's determination and perseverance in an inspirational way. Her story of bravely enduring all that life throws at her makes this a motivating read. The courage to leave behind the protective embrace of her parents for a journey of self discovery is impressive. The encounters she has in her love life are realistic and emotional.

The main character portrays significant growth in the story by narrating her real life behind the reel life in a heartfelt manner. The narration does seem a bit lacking at places but the depth of the story makes it a thought provoking and captivating read.

This is a story for those who enjoy short slices of life stories with poignant messages.

[Sayani · Rating 4 out of 5]

💫Meghna by Devika Das revolves around the real-life of an award-winning theatre artist, Meghna Sahay through a retrospective narrative.
🎬
💫She completed more than 3 decades in the industry and won awards and to honour and capture her journey Sanjay Upadhyay, a editor in magazine comes to take her interview. In this interview Meghna talks candidly about her journey amd life about her struggles and her love.
🎬
💫This book beautifully portrays how the actors with idolized are human too and has their fair share of struggles, dissatisfaction alongside glory and fame and how an actor's life may be diametrically opposite to the character played in a play/film. The stark contrast between Reel life vs real life. This story exhibits the emotional aspects of their life and emotional turmoils well.
🎬
💫This book is a short book consisting of only 45 pages and can be finished in one sitting. I like how the story unfolds in a mild pace. The cover is a beautiful one. The narrative is easy and lucid.Overall a nice story can be read by anyone who loves to read short stories.
🎬

[Ruchi Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a short read that can be read in an hour. Hence I will keep my reviews short to avoid spoilers. It’s a Hindi language book. The protagonist of the story is Meghana Sahay. She received life tim achievement award as an actress for working almost for 30 years. Rekha is her helper for 25 years. Now people want to find and interview her. Sanjay is a reporter who reached to her. Then story fell into flashback in 1970s when she was a student in arts college. Read the book to know about her journey. I liked the included poetries in the book. I liked how author has researched the topic. I liked reading about little facts and details about Navras in Natyashashtra. The language of the book is lucid so that everyone can pick it up. I liked how author has portrayed human side of the actors. We see them only superficial or the side that is represented on TV. I won’t discuss further as it will lead to spoilers. The narration style of the author is captivating. Overall good one.

[Prerna]

Book: Meghna
Author: Devika Das
Rating: 3.5

बहुत समय बाद कोई हिन्दी उपन्यास पढ़ने का मौका मिला।
यह कहानी एक ऐसे व्यक्ति की है जिसकी ज़िन्दगी कश्मकश से भरी हुई रही। देविका दास जी ने अपनी कहानी के किरदार को बहुत अच्छे से प्रस्तुत किया है। एक स्वाभिमानी लड़की जिसने अपने सपनों को पूरा करने में कोई कसर नहीं छोड़ी। एक साहसी लड़की जिसने प्यार के नाम पर हो रहे शारीरिक शोषण को बर्दाश्त नहीं किया। और एक ऐसी प्रेमिका जिसने अपने प्रेम का बलिदान कर दिया।
मेघना कहानी में इंसानी जज़्बातों को बहुत खुबसूरत तरीके से व्यक्त किया गया है।
मेघना जो कहानी की मुख्य किरदार है, वह अपने अतीत को कहीं दफ़न कर चुकी है जो उसके सामने तब आता है जब वह पत्रकार को अपना इंटरव्यू दे रही होती हैं।
कहानी छोटी है परंतु बहुत अच्छे तरीके से लिखी गई है। बहुत ही सरल शब्दों का प्रयोग किया गया है जो कि समझना आसान है।
बीच-बीच में कुछ त्रुटियां हैं जो कि नज़र अंदाज़ की जा सकती हैं।
अगर आपको लघु कथा पसंद है तो "मेघना" जरूर पढ़ें।

[Aspirant__ifs · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 📚
Name : meghna
Author : Devika das
Format : kindle
Language : hindi
No of pages : 45

📚 A very short heart touching story of a girl meghna who was a award winning actor for her 35 years denoting to film career.

📚 Author has written very well all characters were plotted perfectly in this book
Let's talk about story..
so story is besed on a girl named meghna who was very passionate about her dream to become actor one day and did hard to complete her dreams.

📚 When she complete 35 years of film industry with many beautiful movies then sanjay upadhyaya a interviewer who plans to interview meghna when he start questioning with her meghna Meghna goes back to the old days of her thoughts and tells everything. Also she talked about her half love story we cannot say half it was like one side love story.

📚 overall book was wonderful amazing content also short story it takes hardly 30 minutes to complete this story so go for it.

[Arbaz Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

📙 Book: Meghna
Author: Devika Das (@authordevika)

यह सच है कि फिल्मी दुनिया में अपना करियर बनाने में कई लोगों को कई बाधाओं का सामना करना पड़ता है। अगर आप हिंदुस्तानी समाज की लड़की हैं तो रंगमंच की राह आसान नहीं है। अड़चन की शुरुआत पहले घर से होती है, भले ही आपने इसे किसी भी तरह से दूर कर लिया हो, इस पुरुष प्रधान समाज में एक महिला के लिए थिएटर की दुनिया में सफल होना मुश्किल है।

यह कहानी है मेघना की, जो एक मशहूर थिएटर एक्ट्रेस हुआ करती थीं। कहानी की शुरुआत उन्हें मिले लाइफटाइम अचीवमेंट अवार्ड से होती है। मेघना गुमनामी की दुनिया में कहीं खो गई है, लेकिन संजय, उनके प्रशंसक और पेशे से पत्रकार, मेघना का साक्षात्कार कैसे करते हैं और उनकी नाटकीय कहानियां कैसे सामने आती हैं, आपको इस पुस्तक में पढ़ना होगा।

कहानी बहुत ही सरल है, आप इसे एक बार में पढ़कर खत्म कर देंगे।
थिएटर में होने वाली वर्��शॉप को जिस तरह से लिखा गया है, वह सराहनीय है ।

[Gripping Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story of a theatre actress Meghna, who takes a firm decision to follow her acting career, when all her father wants for her is to finish her graduation and get married. Disowned from her home, this is the journey of her hard work and determination which leads her to receive a lifetime achievement award.

The novel reveals the delicacy of human emotions, the love and betrayal, the struggle of an actress, the nuances of acting, how girls do not have a voice in their own life, and how women are not safe no matter the workplace.

This story would resonate with anyone and everyone who is struggling in their career right now, and with every woman who has gone against familial and societal pressure to achieve their dreams.

Devika Das has done a beautiful job in making it short, simple and relatable.

[DIPTISHA SARKAR · Rating 3 out of 5]

"मेघना" देविका दास द्वारा लिखित एक छोटी उपन्यास है जो कि एक ही दिन में आसानी से पढ़ी जा सकती हैं। कहानी शुरू से ही तेज़ गति वाली थी। यह कहानी हमे मेघना नामक एक बहुत प्रसिद्ध अभिनेत्री की जीवन कहानी बताती है। लेखिका ने बहुत ही खुबसुरत तरीके से कहानी के दृश्यों को प्रदर्शित किया है।

यह कहानी एक साक्षात्कार के माध्यम से बतायी गई है। कहानी से हमे मेघना के बचपन लेकर कामकाजी जी वन के बारे में पता चलता हे। कहानी बहुत ही सहज भाषा में लिखी गई है। यह किताब सबके लिए बढ़ने में आसानी होगी।

कहानी अच्छी थी, लेकिन कई जगहों में मुझे कहानी बिखरी हुई लगी और अध्याय संख्या होता तो और अच्छा होता। सरल और आसानी कहानी पढ़ने के लिए यह पुस्तक एक अच्छा विकल्प है। अंत में कुछ कविताएं दी गई है, जो कि मुझे काफी अच्छी लगी।

[Dr.Naveen Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a slim book of approximately 40 pages which one can easily read in half an hour.The language is in simple hindi and anyone can read and enjoy it
This story deals with the life of theatre artist Meghna sahay and her fan Sanjay Upadhyay.. Through Sanjay's interview we get to know the glimpses of meghna's journey to become the theatre artist and her achievement to get lifetime award.
Although we get a snapshot of her life, the interconnection between the stages in her life is not fully developed.It would have been better if a little bit more effort had been put to show the continuity or the struggles she has to undergo to reach the next stage in her life.

[Maniishark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Meghna by Devika Das as part of the HBB ebook review program.
A very precise read, it is the story of a famous and legendary actress Meghna Sahay, who had to go against the society and her family to follow her dream and her passion. The book acquaints us to her struggle and her journey, the experiences that shaped her as a person, through an interview by Sanjay Upadhyay. When confronted with some personal life choices by the interviewer, she shows the reader the glimpses of a past which leaves the reader wondering about the difference between the reel and real life of a celebrity.
The book is interspersed with poems, detailing the mindset of the protagonist. These play the role of the cherry on top of cake and make the book even more beautiful. All in all it is quick and engaging read, precise and immersive.

[Enakshi J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meghna is an interesting take on the lives of creators and entertainers who spend a significant number of years behind the camera. Their truth lies behind the facade of glam and show. Seldom do commonfolk get a chance to empathize or even sympathize with celebrities who spend most of their time wearing a mask that they own. Meghna focuses on the life of an actress, Meghna, who gave 30 precious years of her life to theatre and delivered some of the best performances.

Read the complete review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...

[Hoppy Agarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a hindi novel after a long time. I liked it very much. It is well written. Short and crisp. Felt like you can keep on reading it. There are two things I thought could hae been improved. The font was too small in overall page. Ans second, author went off track towards the end. There are unanswered questions. I look forward to reading whatever the author writes next.

[Aiman Arfi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short dedication to Meghna, a national award winning theatre artist. The book contains an interview with Meghna in which she talks openly about her life journey. The plot is slightly disoriented by the end but it's pretty good. Complete narration is in hindi which enhances its beauty. I liked how the author created a contrast between Meghna's reel and real life. The cover page is marvelous

[Manoj Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

R•E•V•I•E•W 📚

🌸Book Name: Meghna
🌸Author: Author Devika Das
🌸Format: Kindle
🌸Language: Hindi

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟/5


"हँस उठते पल मैं आर्द्र नयन
धूल जाता होंठो से विषाद
छा जाता जीवन मैं बसंत
लूट जाता चीर संचित बिराग
आंखे देती सर्वसाय वार
जो तुम आ जाते एक बार"


The lines are just beautiful mentioned in this story. It is an original artwork of the author. I heartily appreciate the author for her next book.The language used is pretty simple and easy making it a comfortable read. It's a hindi literary novel. The narrative style is gripping portraying an array of emotions in this a thoughtful fiction. It is one of the finest book ever written in Hindi. My Hindi is not strong, and his Hindi is not very academic, it is quite difficult. I would encourage people to read it even if their reading of Hindi language is not strong.

Overall a great read. Thumps Up 👍