Showing results by author "R. K. Narayan" in All Categories

R.K. Narayan’s reputation as one of the founding figures of Indian writing in English is re-examined in this comprehensive study of his fiction, which offers detailed readings of all his novels. Arguing against views that have seen Narayan as a chronicler of “authentic” Indianness, John Thieme locates his fiction in terms of its specific South Indian contexts and cultural geography and its non-Indian intertexts.

Malgudi Ki Kahaniyan (Hindi) is a set of stories that are based in the fictional town of Malgudi. The town of Malgudi is a South Indian village created by the author and offers a valuable peek into the quality of rural life during the pre-independence era. The characters in these stories come from different walks of life, and each has a unique tale to tell. These stories have characters such as astrologers, postmen, doctors, beggars and priests. 

 Malgudi Ka Mehman is the Hindi translation of Narayan’s 1986 novel Talkative Man, where Narayan tells the story of an unnamed character: the titular ‘talkative man’ (TM), who, although living comfortably on the famous Kabir Street of Malgudi, works as a freelance journalist to satiate his passion for stories and conversations - much like Narayan himself during his early days as a journalist. 

Swami is a talkative, mischievous boy whose life is all about having fun with his friends and avoiding school and homework. He lives with his parents, younger brother and grandmother. He has a set of friends in two schools that he gets removed from. But some innocent mischief gets him in trouble and leads him to leave his house and go on the run. Written in his unique style, R.K Narayan's book Swami Aur Uske Dost is simple yet truly entertaining.

 Malgudi Ka Chalta Purza is the Hindi translation of R.K. Narayan’s English novel The Financial Expert (1952), where he explores the themes of greed and lust for money. The story takes place in the fictional town of Malgudi. Margayya is a petty money-lender who operates his business under the banyan tree in front of the bank. As his business flourishes though, he is faced with opposition and threats from the bank employees, forcing him to think of an alternative career. Angered with this humiliation, he vows to become a wealthy man.   

Well into his 50s, Jagan runs a shop of sweets. A Gandhian by principle, he himself has given up both sugar and salt and announces his desire for an austere life. He spends his days attempting to enlighten those around him with his interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita, faltering when his listeners pose deeper questions. His son, Mali, quietly rebels against his father’s way of life and holds him responsible for his mother’s death due to his reluctance to allow treatment through modern medicine.  

For me travelling is like that constant feeling of retrospection and soul searching inside of me. For some reason, stories of people from faraway lands make my mind anxious and my brain go into a frenzy. It has been mentioned innumerable times that happiness cannot be found outside of you; it is inside of you - in one’s heart. Even then we go out in search of happiness - either through materialistic possessions or through someone else’s existence. 

A Hindi translation of R.K. Narayan’s The World of Nagaraj by Rama Tiwari, the novel delves into the seemingly mundane yet secretly lively musings of a middle-aged man, Nagaraj. Residing in a small town, he lives by the conviction that there is some unfulfilled purpose in his life and is devoted to working towards this. But first, he must discover what his true calling is.