Jainendra: The Resignation

One of the giants of Hindi literature, Jainendra introduced the psychological in Hindi fiction. Questions of love, marriage and relationships occupy much of Jainendra s works, taking them into the realm of the internal and the intimate. In The Resignation, Jainendra tells the story of Mrinal, a young woman whose uncompromising idealism results in her family and society rejecting her completely. Almost seventy-five years after it was written, the story of Mrinal s struggle against stultifying social norms and her fierce individualism remain startlingly relevant.

Jainendra was one of the first Hindi authors to write psychological Hindi fiction. Set in pre-independent India, The Resignation traces the life and struggles of a young woman called Mrinal. Mrinal is an idealist and her uncompromising attitude results in her family and society abandoning her completely. Almost 75 years after it was first written, the story of Mrinal s struggle remains startlingly relevant even in the modern times.

Jainendra was one of the most influential Hindi writers of the twentieth century. Best known for his exploration of the human psyche, he established the Hindustani Sabha in Lahore with Premchand. After Premchand s death, he became the editor of the prestigious literary magazine Hans. He was honored with the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1966 and the Padma Bhushan in 1971.