Аннотация:The paper deals with an interpretation of the classical Sanskrit novel “Kadambari” by Bana in modern Hindi literature. On the basis of two novels – “Banabhatt ki Atmakatha” (1946) by Hazari Prasad Dvivedi and “Shesha Kadambari” (2001) by Alka Saravgi - is shown how a traditional plot and elements of classical poetics are used to solve problems and reach tasks of modern literature
H.P.Dvivedi aimed at Renaissance of national cultural heritage and wanted to awake interest towards it on the eve of independence of India. The main subject of H.P.Dvivedi’s novel, as of the most of Hindi novels of that time, was a status of a woman in the society, possibilities of her self-actualization and her participation in developments of historical importance. At the same time the author was solving a problem of creating a genre of novel, directed towards the union of European and classical Indian tradition. Besides, as one of the most authoritative specialists of the history of Indian literature, H.P.Dvivedi took part in creating modern literary Hindi, the language oriented on the use of mainly Sanskrit vocabulary.
The novel by Alka Saravgi, published in XXI century, tells about a fortune of Indian women also. Conditions and status of a woman continues to be the main subject of the novel; but the theme of succession of generations, especially a problem of mutual understanding, and the possibility of reaching it, is brought to a forefront. Just like the unfinished novel by Bana was “written” to the end by his son, in the same way a novel, which Alka Saravgi’s heroin – Ruby -started to write, should be finished by her granddaughter, Kadambari. The same heroine should not only inherit the wealth of her grandmother, but at her own will share it with a suffering woman and fulfill deeds of her grandmother dedicated to the service to the society also. In this way literary and social co-authorship is one of the main means for reaching mutual understanding between generations.
Comparison of the two novels shows that modern Hindi novel continues to be socially oriented, but the succession of Indian tradition is one of the most important characteristics of Indian literature, the original “Kadambari” itself being a refashion of a borrowed plot.