R. K. Narayan ’s Life and His Works : Leader in Indian English Literature

 Rashipuram Krishnaswami Narayan (1906-2001) popularly known as R.K. Narayan is the  legend of English literature in India. His readers  widely spread all over India and abroad love him for his realistic idea and rhetorical humour in his writings. Simple but eloquent in representation is the simplest form of his intellectual grip and for this Mr. Narayan leaves impression on his readers mind to become not only the greatest Indian author in English literature hut also an unequivocally versatile genius in his own wonderland of creativeness. 

Almost a century ago, on October 10 in 1906 this luminary of literature was born at the village namely Rashipuram in Tamil Nadu. He received his preliminary education and higher studies from different institutions in Madras City. The city of Madras which is at present renamed as Chennai fed him milk of human kindness and empowered him with prime mover. After being graduated from this historical city he it and shined to Mysore for settling himself up there. R.K. Narayan decided not to take a job as profession and resolved in mind to take up the pen as profession. Read More Indian English He disabused himself of the conventional belief that one must choose a service for living because that may profusely convert a man eccentric and unimaginative. Some well-wishers thought then that he was leading himself up the garden path. However. he was finn to his resolution that he might widen his life with the weapon of pen and, as such he would continue for striking oil that should supply his livelihood and nourishment of mind. He manipulated the talent inborn in him and emerged as a giant writer. Ultimately he reached atop. 
 

R.K. Narayan

Like Mulk Raj Anand another profusely multifaceted talent of India, he possesses what is called all sorts of legendary qualities of creativity. The quality of inner sight which had taken shape in him in his adolescence flourished, nourished and latter it spread its smell all about the world. R. K. Narayan is widely regarded and esteemed as the greatest Indian English author in the present century for his specialization and intact philosophy. Read More Indian English He is the only Indian author to have successfully made a career out of writing in English over the past six decades. To date he has published fifteen novels, four collections of short stories, two books on travelling and another four collections of essays of different tastes. At the moment he is working on his sixteenth novel and, now the end of the boon is culminating. His first novel, Swami and Friends (1935), was based on his experiences as a village schoolteacher. Like his later fiction The English Teacher (1945) and The Vendor of Sweets (1967), it is a gently humorous, elegantly crafted picture of daily life in a fictitious southern Indian town. Narayan's other novels include Waiting for the Mahatma (1955), The Guide (1958), The Man-Eater of Malgudi (1961), and A Tiger for Malgudi (1983), A Horse and Two Goats (1970), Malgudi Days (1982), and Grandmother's Tale (1994) are collections of Narayan's short stories and contain simple, yet insightful, character portrayals that often reveal subtle ironies. He also revived the classic Indian epics The Ramayana (1972) and The Mahabharata (1978), condensing the lengthy works and setting them in modern surroundings. 

What greatly influenced in his life was his everlasting friendship with famous British novelist Graham Greene and he made his mark in his field of work passing through the vast popularity. The age and press has not been able to prepossess the spirit and vivacity of the author. Mr. Narayan made the friendship with Graham Greene for his eloquence and favouritism. Their bond of friendship took the embryonic shape in 1935 and reached to the precipice shortly after they had made allies. Read More Indian English This friendship was so rigid that it continued till Mr. Greene’s death in 1990. This friendship was benedictory to both the novelists. Mr. R. K. Narayan was cut out for expounding his precious thoughts abroad successfully. His fame flared about boundlessly. The other achievement of his life is the invention of a small town called Malgudi in which he had found immaculate resources of his creation. The town is entirely an imaginary one in South India. In the most of his novels and short stories Malgudi has played important roles, many new plots have been bred in this town.

R.K. Narayan has chosen mainly the life of plebeian and their chores as his subject of writings in which he has depicted their precepts. His themes of writing are neither mystic nor phantasmagoric. The thoughts which are clear centering common problems of ordinary life inspire him profoundly. Eventuality of his writings maintains realism and innervates tenacity to the revelation of agonizing poverty. The discourses in his writings expose prominently the real picture of Indian insalubrious society. Read More Indian English R.K. Narayan is best called the commentator of the tales of discomfited scowl beings fighting dully and continually for survival. He has made all his commentaries in straight forward language without adopting unnecessarily rhetorical words or euphemism. R.K. Narayan keeps fair with the impoverished section and also he keeps himself at a bay from the hypocrites dominating modern society. The author loathes smarmy surrealism in his writing which are decorated with the reflections of the gloomy faces of the downtrodden or they are full of activities of the gullible or stories or meflapdooiiing politicians. His writings penetrate deep into the problem and draw out its formidable shape. His philosophical insights are immense lastingly reproduced. All the loopholes of the problems that perturb human soul are preconceived but they are humoursly thwarted.

R. K. Narayan is adorned with many awards and titles in recognition of his works. He received the Indian Literary Academies national award for his famous novel  The Guide  was published in 1958. The novel was successfully filmed in Hindi and this film earned nationwide popularity. Among his innumerable short stories there are The Martyrs Corner , The Axe ,  Out of Business  etc. are noteworthy.

He achieved prestigious honour to become a member of British Royal Society of Literature. He became a honourary member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and letters. Coinciding with the completion of his ninety years of age, Penguin India has published a special as well as limited outline of his autobiographical work ‘My Days’. Read More Indian English The Book is actually chronological diary of this renowned creator’s life. In simple language he spares his childhood days, his career as a writer and changes that have currently taken place in his personal life. On his 90th birthday R.K. Narayan in his mild humour intact begins by saying he does not view ‘turning 90 as a personal achievement’.

R. K. Narayan’s biography has been published by Mr. N. Ram, the Editor of the Frontline, and Susan Ram. Read More Indian English This book also contains a chronicle of his life and career, interviews and account of his friendship with Graham Greene. In his last days, this immortal soul of the century, in a sound and corporal form spends most of his time in his Eldoms Road apartment absorbing in his latest work. God becons him a final call on 13 May 2001 and grant ‘him an immortal life'.

What We Have Discussed:

R. K. Narayan, a pioneering figure in Indian English literature, left an indelible mark through his life and literary works:

Early Life and Background: R. K. Narayan was born in 1906 in Madras, British India, into a middle-class family.

Literary Style: Known for his simple and evocative prose, Narayan's writing captured the essence of Indian culture and society.

Malgudi Novels: His most famous works are set in the fictional town of Malgudi, providing a microcosm of Indian life. "Swami and Friends," "The Guide," and "The Vendor of Sweets" are notable examples.

Themes and Characters: Narayan's works explored everyday human experiences, blending humor and pathos. His characters are relatable and reflect the diverse Indian milieu.

Cultural Depictions: His writings depicted Indian traditions, social norms, and the challenges of modernization, preserving a cultural snapshot of India's evolution.

Simplicity and Universality: Narayan's narratives, while rooted in India, touched universal themes, making his works accessible and relatable to a global audience.

Recognition and Impact: He received accolades such as the Sahitya Akademi Award and was shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature, enhancing the recognition of Indian literature on the global stage.

Contribution to Indian English Literature: Narayan's works played a pivotal role in shaping Indian English literature by offering authentic Indian perspectives and narratives.

Legacy: His books continue to be celebrated for their literary craftsmanship and insightful portrayal of human nature.

Influence: R. K. Narayan's legacy lives on in the work of contemporary Indian writers who draw inspiration from his unique narrative style and deep cultural insights.

R. K. Narayan's literary contributions transcend borders, cementing his position as a prominent leader in Indian English literature and a beloved storyteller.

Ardhendu De