Premchand wrote boldly and fearlessly about his times. He wrote of abject poverty and desperation, he wrote against feudalism and for betterment of women. He spoke of the evils that plagued society in his times…and those evils sadly still continue to haunt us to this day. 

But there was this other side to Premchand that I find fascinating. That was his sparkling wit and humour. He saw all the ugliness in the world for what it was and yet he managed to smile…even laugh…his laugh was famously raucous and free spirited. I have read his deeply emotional, unflinchingly empathetic stories and they are moving like none other but I have to confess I most enjoy reading of his everyday life, which he documents with humour and lightheartedness that’s like coming up for air.