R.K Narayan– Calcutta International School

INTRODUCTION

Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer

Narayanaswami was born on 10th October 1906, in the city of

Madras. His father was a school headmaster, and he had spent a lot

of time in his upbringing with his grandmother. As a

child, R.K Naryan had been influenced by books by Sir Arthur

Conan Doyle, Thomas Hardy, and even

Dickens.

Swami and Friends

Narayan’s Swami and Friends had received positive reviews, and it was based loosely on his own life. In Narayan’s childhood, he had participated in a pro-independence march, which is reflected in the story when Swami burns his cap, thinking that it is British made, although it is actually khaddar. This book was a breakthrough for Narayan as it had began to form the beautiful city of Malgudi, which served as the setting for other books in the future.

Swami and Friends was Narayan’s first composition. Originally called Swaminathan and Tate, he had based the book on his own childhood. Graham Greene was a large mentor and influence to Narayan, as it was due to him that Narayan had slightly altered his English for the British Audience.

Swami and Friends

The character of Swami is intricately woven by

Narayan’s loom. Swaminathan is an ordinary Indian clichéd boy, one who

hates Mondays, but one who depends on his friends

for companionship. His character is interesting as his idiosyncrasies help to make the story engaging

and interesting.

The Bachelor of Arts

This novel, written in 1937, is the second part in the trilogy written by the great Indian master. This also takes place in Malgudi. This book shows the transition of a rebellious young teenage mind into adulthood during the pre-independence era. Eventually, after several life changing events, the boy matures into an adult who easily melds with society.

The English Teacher

This book, written in 1945, is the final part of the trilogy of books. The book is poignant in its emotive intensity, it shows the experiences of Krishna, a teacher, and his goal in achieving a better life and to understand his goal. Narayan’s own life is incorporated into this story as his own wife had died in 1939 of typhoid. In The English Teacher, the teacher’s own true love dies, showing the relationship between Narayan’s reality and his ficiton.

Malgudi is a detailed setting which develops and becomes finer through each of Narayan’s stories which take place in it. It was based on the town of Nanjangud, which is located on the banks of the river Kabini. The name of Malgudi is a combination of Malleswaram and Basavangudi. Every aspect of Malgudi makes it more cultural as well as being realistic due to its fine details. The shopkeepers, the mailman, and even the coachman’s son. They are all true to their true natures and so, Malgudi takes a realistic tone.

The Kabini River, which may have been an inspiration for the creation of Malgudi

Malgudi

There are several locations which are imperative to Malgudi. One would be the Sarayu River. This river and the areas around it serve to be places for many incidents occurring throughout the story.

The street names are continually repeated from story to story. Names such as Market Street, Kabir Street, or even Lawley Extension help to bring Malgudi alive. Each street houses different types of groups, such as the rich or poor, showing the hierarchical structure of Malgudi.

Map of Malgudi

Style of Writing

Narayan’s style of writing is very unique in the sense that

he employs the use of nuanced dialogic prose, but he also

affixes tender Tamil overtones, showing the South Indian traits

of his characters. His writing had captured the essence of

Indian culture, and it had encapsulated it into his

writings. As his writings became more popular, more of his

international audiences became aware of the beauty of Indian literature and of its culture.

Writing Style

Narayan’s short stories had the same magnitude of importance that his full novels had also had. However, Narayan’s precise writing allows his characters to come alive within a minimum amount of writing. Also, its roots in a detached sprit allows for more detached narration. Writing of Narayan is compared to William Faulkner as they both bring the humor and color from ordinary life while displaying compassion. Narayan is very simple and realistic, but he intricately creates his designs of stories.

The Guide

Written in 1958, this story is also set in Malgudi. Although not as comical as Swami and Friends, this story is unique due to its plot. A corrupt tour guide named Raju eventually transitions in life to become a sage in this story. Eventually, he is forced to undergo a fast so that it rains. However, the last line of the story, 'Raju said "Velan, its raining up the hills, I can feel it under my feet.” This quote beautifully shows that Raju finally understood the meaning of becoming a sage. This story eventually had the honor of being adapted into a play for broadway.

R.K Laxman

Born into a family of 6 sons, he had a close relationship with his eldest brother, R.K Narayan. Laxman further embellished and polished Narayan’s vision of Malgudi and his characters by fabricating them into his own cartoons. These cartoons were used in the popular film series of Swami and Friends.

Laxman’s Cartoons

CONCLUSIONNarayan’s hard work and determination had paid off as he showed that such an unusual job at in that era of pre-independence had worked out. His beautiful and precise writing and unique style helped him to convey his stories, no matter the size of them.