Gaban by Munshi Premchand

​"A single ornament can weigh heavier than a mountain of truth."

​Ramanath is a charming but weak-willed young man who is desperate to maintain an image of wealth and status. His wife, Jhalpa, has a deep-seated obsession with gold jewelry—a passion fueled by the social pressures of middle-class society. To fulfill her desires and keep up appearances, Ramanath falls into a trap of lies, leading him to commit a desperate act of embezzlement.

​As the consequences of his "gaban" spiral out of control, Ramanath is forced to flee, leaving Jhalpa to confront the reality of their hollow life. What follows is a powerful journey of moral awakening, sacrifice, and the harsh realization of how vanity can destroy a home.

​Read this classic of Indian literature for a timeless look at the perils of greed and the strength of the human spirit.