R K Narayan's Malgudi Days and other Books
Author of the Week :
R K Narayan, Indian Author, whose books are filled with South Indian Aroma, taste and culture in his books.
His books are of fiction, but i put him in non-fiction as the characters in his books are a combination of those we see around in our daily life. It also depicts our society as it is including the flaws of the thinking mind.. Don't be surprised if the author unveils your story...
His language is simple and clear. He writes humorously. Among his character, Swami (from Malgudi Days) is unforgetable as I had read him and seen the serial telecast in Doordarshan TV. As a child, after reading Malgudi Days, like many, i also searched for Malgudi and wished to visit there when i grow up. And i was convinced that Malgudi is there and assumed Malgudi Subha, Singer hails from there.
Giving you here some of his quotes, thinking that you may like / give you a glimpse of his writing style :-
R K Narayans THE FINANCIAL EXPERT
R K Narayan, Indian Author, whose books are filled with South Indian Aroma, taste and culture in his books.
His books are of fiction, but i put him in non-fiction as the characters in his books are a combination of those we see around in our daily life. It also depicts our society as it is including the flaws of the thinking mind.. Don't be surprised if the author unveils your story...
His language is simple and clear. He writes humorously. Among his character, Swami (from Malgudi Days) is unforgetable as I had read him and seen the serial telecast in Doordarshan TV. As a child, after reading Malgudi Days, like many, i also searched for Malgudi and wished to visit there when i grow up. And i was convinced that Malgudi is there and assumed Malgudi Subha, Singer hails from there.
Giving you here some of his quotes, thinking that you may like / give you a glimpse of his writing style :-
"You become writer by writing. It is a Yoga."
"Life is about making right things and going on . . ."
"We always question the bonafides of the man who tells us unpleasant facts."
"Noone ever accepts criticism so cheerfully. Neither the man who utters it nor the man who invites it really means it
"A profound unmitigated loneliness is the only truth of life."
"It is written on the brow of some that they shall not be left alone. I am one such. I think."
"Friendship was another illusion like love, though it did not reach the same mad heights. People pretended that they were friends, when the fact was they were brought together by force of circumstances."
Courtesy : https://www.britannica.com/biography/R-K-Narayan
R.K. Narayan, one of the finest Indian authors of his generation writing in English.His first novel, Swami and Friends (1935), is an episodic narrative recounting the adventures of a group of schoolboys. That book and much of Narayan’s later works are set in the fictitious South Indian town of Malgudi. Narayan typically portrays the peculiarities of human relationships and the ironies of Indian daily life, in which modern urban existence clashes with ancient tradition. His style is graceful, marked by genial humour, elegance, and simplicity.
He had written 34 novels, some of them are listed here :
₹ 130 ₹145(10% Off)
ISBN No :
Author name :
R K NARAYAN
Publisher name :
Swami And Friends by R. K. Narayan is a novel set in British India, and is about the people in the fictional town of Malgudi. Summary Of The Book: The protagonist of this book is Swaminathan, a ten year old boy who lives in the fictional town of Malgudi. He lives a simple life and spends his days with his friends Mani and Rajam. The book details how Swami's school life changes with the entrance of Rajam. The colonial values instilled in the school also irk Swami. The book also details how Swami flees from home after going through dejecting experiences. All the incidents in Swami's life change him from the innocent naughty boy to someone who wants to take a revolutionary path. The author details all of Swami's adventures in British India. Swami And Friends elaborates on the life of the simpleton who confided only in his grandmother and whose relationships were very emotional and basic in nature. The Guardian acknowledged the novel as one of the world's best English novels by an Indian author. The stories from Swami And Friends were adapted into a television series called Malgudi Days.
₹ 144 ₹160(10% Off)
ISBN No :
Author name :
R K NARAYAN
Publisher name :
The Guide is an entertaining story overflowing with love, deceit and faith, and was written by one of the most famous of Indian writers, R. K. Narayan. Summary Of The book The Guide by R. K. Narayan is the story about Railway Raju, a tourist guide who meets and falls in love with Rosie, the beautiful dancer who is married to Marco, an archaeologist. They soon become entangled in an adulterous affair, which on becoming known to Marco leads to him going away to Madras, leaving Rosie behind. Raju and Rosie collaborate, and make Rosie a successful dancer. Soon, they make a lot of money together. However, it all goes wrong when Raju uses illicit means to get some of Rosie's jewellery from Marco. Raju is sent to jail for two years for this act. On his subsequent release, Raju falls into a peculiar situation where he is catapulted as a holy saint due to a mere coincidence. Soon, he becomes famous among many villagers and receives immense adulation and comfort from them. But what happens when he is asked to solve a severe problem faced by the villagers? Will Raju be able to live up to his pious image? The plot oscillates between the first and third person narrative throughout the novel, with the former telling us about the young and spirited Raju and the latter telling us the story about Raju the saint. The novel is one of Narayan's most famous works and won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960. The Guide has also been made into a film.
₹ 144 ₹160(10% Off)
ISBN No :
Author name :
R K NARAYAN
Publisher name :
INDIAN THOUGHT PUBLICATIONS
The Man Eater Of Malgudi by R. K. Narayan tells the tale of how the lives of residents in the picturesque town of Malgudi are disrupted by the actions of their newest resident, and the consequences that follow. Summary Of The Book Nataraj is the protagonist of The Man Eater Of Malgudi. Nataraj and his friends reside in the serene and beautiful town of Malgudi, located near the Mempi Hills. As the owner of a printing shop, Nataraj leads a content and peaceful life. It is when the brutish Vasu appears that the peace in Malgudi shatters like pieces of glass. Vasu is a taxidermist by trade. He is forceful and demanding by nature, which is quite the opposite of Nataraj's calm demeanor. Vasu is often compared to Rakshasa by Nataraj and his friends. When Vasu decides to take up a permanent residence above NatarajÆs press shop, the real problems begin to occur. Vasu's activities begin to encroach on Nataraj's life. At first, it begins with him bullying away all of NatarajÆs customers. Then Vasu proceeds to shooting a pet dog and other birds and animals within the vicinity. When a group of dancing women cross Nataraj's stairs and head to Vasu's quarters, he decides to take the matter up with the rent control authorities. The denouement of the story occurs when Nataraj is attending his friend's poetry book release. At this point, he learns that Vasu has plans to kill an elephant that belonged to the local temple and make it a part of his taxidermy collection. Nataraj tries desperately to stop him. When Nataraj heads over to talk to Vasu, an unexpected surprise awaits him! The Man Eater Of Malgudi was first published in 1961.
ISBN No :
Author name : R K NARAYAN
Publisher name : India Thought Publication
The Painter of Signs tells us the story Raman, a young painter of signboards, a bachelor who glories in his old-fashioned independence, whose work takes him all over Malgudi, and requires him to do business with some of the city's most important, as well as its most absurd, tradesmen. Raman is polite and businesslike with everyone - but underneath the small talk he conducts a quizzical dialogue with himself about his fellow humans and the meaning of their lives. Enter Daisy - an unlikely name for the ruthless but very attractive young woman who commissions Raman, on behalf of the population clinic she runs, to paint signs advocating two-child families. Together they travel around the neighboring country villages where Daisy preaches birth control. Raman is appalled by the hard-edged zeal she brings to her work, just as he is enthralled by her beauty and mysterious independence of spirit. They are obviously made for each other. Or are they? In this sardonic bittersweet tale of love in modern India, R. K. Narayan has created two of fiction's most endearing and unique young lovers, and an unsetting story about India at its best and worst.
₹ 144 ₹160(10% Off)
Originally written in 1955, R. K. Narayan's novel, Waiting For The Mahatma is a remarkable story set against the struggles involved in the Indian Nationalist Movement, as witnessed through the eyes of its protagonists, who are zealous followers of Mahatma Gandhi. Summary Of The Book: Waiting For The Mahatma is set in the fictional town of Malgudi. It follows the story of its leading characters, Sriram and Bharati, amidst turbulent events taking place during the period 1939 to 1947 in India's struggle for freedom, that saw a great upsurge in nationalism and culminated with the partitioning of India. Sriram, a young twenty year old lives with his grandmother in Malgudi in Southern India. Completely enchanted with a girl in the neighbourhood named, Bharati, whom he finds witty, capable, wonderful, unpredictable, infuriating, and condescending all at once, he is experiencing young love, marking his entry into manhood. Bharti is loyally devoted to the cause of Mahatma Gandhi, and actively involved in his Quit India Movement. Influenced by her passionate devotion, and introduced to revolutionary Gandhian philosophies by her, Sriram too, dedicates himself to Gandhi's service, and becomes an activist. Waiting For The Mahatma begins as an unusual love story, taking on a deeper meaning, as readers witness the triumphs and tribulations of Sriram, as an impassioned member of Gandhi's entourage, devoted to his ideals. Amidst a nationwide political struggle, Sriram ends up with certain anti-British fanatics, and partaking in their clandestine activities, much to the disappointment of his grandmother. The novel written in true R. K. Narayan's brand of subtle wit and humour, features the presence of Gandhi as a character, one of the books main highlights. Waiting For The Mahatma has been deemed to be one of R. K. Narayan's most successful novels.
₹ 121 ₹135(10% Off)
Author name :
R K NARAYAN
Publisher name :
INDIAN THOUGHT PUBLICATIONS
Grandmother's Tale is a novel that throws light on several trivial issues during India's pre-independence period, such as child marriage and gender discrimination. Summary Of The Book: In Grandmother's Tale, Narayan tells the readers about his great-grandmother, who used to scold him, yet encouraged him to recite a Sanskrit lyric daily. The Sanskrit lyric stated that the perfect woman is she who works like a slave, looks like a goddess, gives advice like a minister, has patience like Mother Earth, and be courtesan-like in the bed-chamber. He tells the readers about how his great-grandmother was married as a child, and how her husband left her shortly after. The priestly traditions forbade a child bride from visiting the temple unless her husband was found alive. Back then, widows were considered unclean. Bala, his grandmother then set out on a journey to find her missing husband. After years of searching, she finds him in Poona where he is a thriving jewelry business owner. Enraged by the fact that he got married again, she gets rid of his second wife, and becomes the wife in his house. Written in Narayan's witty style, Grandmother's Tale is a stunning novel that highlights certain relevant issues during the pre-independence period of India, one of which includes child marriage. In this book, Narayan portrays the difficult times faced by individuals of those times with full grace, and has kept the language highly transparent.
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₹ 121 ₹135(10% Off)
ISBN No : 9788185986128
Author name :
R K NARAYAN
Publisher name :
INDIAN THOUGHT PUBLICATIONS
In this masterpiece, India's preeminent novelist introduces a character not unlike himself, a compulsively engaging raconteur- They call me Talkative Man. Some affectionately shorten it to TM: I have earned this title, I suppose, because I cannot contain myself. My impulse to share an experience with others is irresistible. As a young journalist struggling to establish a reputation, TM is always on the lookout for a good story. The one he shares with the reader this time is about the mysterious Dr. Rann and his effect on the people of Malgudi-a world of small men, small schemes, big talk, and limited means, as V.S. Naipaul aptly described Narayan's enchanting city. Dr. Rann arrives in Malgudi wearing a fancy blue suit and claiming to be researching a project for the United Nations. He inveigles TM into taking him to his home on Kabir Street, where he begins an extended visit as a house-guest. TM learns through local gossip that the secrete scholar is seducing one of Malgudi's young girls, and then a large woman from Delhi arrives and relates the amazing tale of her futile attempts to reclaim the same man, her erratic, wandering husband. In the novel's hilarious and touching denouement, TM realizes that not only he but also Dr. Rann and his implacable wife are all engaged in creating fictions about themselves and their lives.
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The story of a young man who is upset by the failure of his first love and his journey towards maturity. Summary Of The Book: The Bachelor Of Arts is usually considered part of a semi-autobiographical trilogy by the author. The first book in this trilogy is Swami and Friends, this book is the second, and The English Teacher is the final book. These are considered to be one continuous story, of the same person as a child, as an adolescent just stepping into adulthood, and the same young man in the third book, though the names of the protagonists are different in each novel. This story is about young Chandran, who has just graduated. He has also just fallen in love. He sees a young girl, Malathi, on the beach one day, playing with her younger sister, and is at once smitten by the girl, who is all of fifteen years old. He asks his parents to approach the girl's parents with an alliance. Being the potential groom's parents, and therefore superior, they do it in a roundabout way. Meanwhile the impatient Chandran is lost in his dreams about Malathi, quite sure that it is only a matter of time before they are united. He just wishes it would not be too long before it happens. But, on matching their horoscopes, his dreams are dashed. The astrologer tells the girl's mother that marrying Chandran would be deadly for her daughter, so she vetoes the match. Heartbroken, Chandran leaves his home and parents, deciding that the worldly pleasures are no longer for him. He puts on the garb of a sanyasi and wanders around the country, living on alms. After a while, he gets tired of this kind of life, and decides to return back home. He is welcomed back, and his parents then convince him to marry a beautiful young girl of their choice. Thus begins the next phase of his life. It is a humorously written story, highlighting the passions and the weakness of youth through the character of Chandran, his infatuation with Malathi, his clumsy attempts at renunciation, and the quickness with which he agrees to marry another girl on his return.
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Malgudi Days is a captivating novel comprising three interesting stories based on the life in the small South Indian town of Malgudi, located on the banks of the river Sarayu. Summary Of The Book: Malgudi Days is a novel that revolves around the happenings in a small fictional village named Malgudi, which is located on the banks of the river Sarayu in South India. This book is a collection of 32 short stories that are highly amusing. The remarkable feature of the stories present in this book is that they are all centered around the lives of mere commoners as they go about their daily routine. The stories present in this book mostly revolve around the relationships among family members as well as the social taboos in the mid-nineties. Through the course of this book, readers are introduced to a ten-year-old lad named Swaminathan, and his two closest friends, Mani and Rajam, whose fun-filled exploits provide a great deal of entertainment to the readers. In another story in this book, Chandran, whose apprehensions about life and issues related to love provide for an interesting read. One of the stories in this book entitled The English Teacher, revolves around incidents in the life of Jagan, and his son Mali. Along with providing the readers with an interesting story, the author also highlights the problem of the generation gap between parents and children. While some of the stories may keep the readers in splits of laughter, certain stories may actually cause the reader to cry, as they establish a connection between themselves and the reader. The stories present in Malgudi Days are highly thought-provoking, and make for a good read for individuals of all age groups. Malgudi Days was published for the first time in the year 1943 by Indian Thought Publications. Put together with a great deal of humor and grace, this classic piece of literature by R. K. Narayan is widely appreciated by its readers to this day. This novel, Malgudi Days, was also adapted into a television series that was aired in the year 1986, by Shankar Nag.
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₹ 144 ₹160(10% Off)
The Financial Expert is a witty novel by R. K. Narayan, first published in 1952, and set in the small town of Malgudi. It narrates the story of its titular character Margayya, a complex man with a flair for offering financial advice to the local town folk. Summary Of The Book: Originally written and published in 1952, R. K. Narayan's novel, The Financial Expert, like his other stories, takes place in Malgudi, a small southern Indian town. The book focusses on its central character named Margayya, who is known and revered in his local community as the financial wizard of the town. He dispenses his expert advice under a banyan tree, helping people with routine and minor financial matters which form a considerable portion of the daily life of Indians, including, how to acquire loans from the Co-operative Bank. The book dwells on Margayya's life, thoughts, and motivations, offering readers a brilliant psychoanalysis of his fascinating character. He is described as a man filled with many hopes and dreams, but restricted by limited resources. An ambitious man, he utilises his talent and knowledge by earning a living, advising those who are more than willing to pay him for it. A memorable book, The Financial Expert follows Margayya's incredible journey from rags-to-riches, narrating many humorous incidents along the way including, an encounter with the Bank's Secretary, and an accident which results in the loss of his account book, which was thrown down a drain by his son Balu. Margayya grows to become rich and reverts to financial wizardry. The vivid images and insights portrayed in the novel, including his difficult interaction with the Malgudi residents and travails with his own family, paint a rich, poignant, and authentic view of Indian life. Throughout the novel, the author keeps the readers glued by introducing many intriguing characters, who on the face of it seem to be playing only minor roles, but are in fact, essential, contributing greatly to the storyline.
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At sixty Jagan is a prosperous widower, a sweet-vendor who contrives to combine handsome profits with highminded Gandhian Principles. The apple of his eye is his son Mali, for whom he feels a deep but absurdly embarrassed affection, which appears to go unrequited. When Mali coolly announces that he is abandoning school to go to America to become a writer, Jagan's fatherly feelings are thrown into still greater confusion. And when, a year or two later, Mali returns with a half-Korean, half-American wife and a grandiose scheme for marketing a novel-writing machine, Jagan is utterly at sea. He is confronted by the new world shockingly personified - a world where his cherished notions of marriage and morals seem to count for nothing. The tragicomic clash of the generations deepens with every chapter. Jagan's final escape from the galling chains of paternal love comes as unexpectedly as every other twist in this delicious story.
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Author name :
R K NARAYAN
Publisher name :
Indian Thought Publication
When Nagaraj's peaceful lifestyle is interfered and troubled by his brother's son, Tim, Nagaraj starts to feel like he will never live a good life again. Summary of the Book Nagaraj lived a very peaceful existence with the company of his wife, Sita. He passed his days by writing letters, drinking coffee and doing a bit of bookkeeping for his friend's sari company. Sometimes, he sits in his veranda and thinks about the book that he hopes to write about the great sage Narada. However, his quiet and trouble-free life is rudely intruded by Tim, his brother's son. All of a sudden, Nagaraj finds that the only thing he ever worries about are things related to Tim. All the complications and disturbances are a threat to the life that he was leading before Tim happened. The story gives us many little details of the life in a small town in Southern India just like in many other R. K. Narayan's books.
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ISBN No :
Author name :
R K NARAYAN
Publisher name :
Indian Thought Publication
Under The Banyan Tree & Other Stories is a collection of twenty eight stories by the master story-teller of India, R. K. Narayan. These stories are set in Narayan's famous fictional city in South India, Malgudi. The stories in this book range from being hilarious to serious and are packed with Narayan's observation of nature. The short stories in this book are mostly 5-6 pages long and make for a quick read. Narayan introduces the readers to individuals from all walks of life in India, ranging from beggars to merchants. The main story of this book, Under The Banyan Tree, revolves around a village storyteller. The storyteller desires to stop speaking for the rest of his life, after he finishes his career. He believes that a storyteller must stop before another individual tells them to do so. One of the stories, Four Rupees, is based on Ranga, who earns his daily bread by doing odd jobs for the villagers. One day, he is requested to fetch an ancestry vessel that has accidently dropped into the backyard well. The vessel, which belongs to a rich family, needs to be fetched out as soon as possible. However, the task isn't simple, as Ranga needs to reach the bottom of the well, which is 60 feet deep. Ranga is offered four rupees to execute this dangerous task. Does Ranga agree to undertake this risky job? Another Community is a short story that revolves around the tension between different communities in October, 1947. Narayan doesn't refer to any particular religion or sect, but uses terms such as One Community and Another Community throughout the story. Flavour of Coconut is a light story that is based on a prisoner, who is responsible for causing heavy losses by puncturing clothes and biting important documents.
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₹ 130 ₹145(10% Off)
Author name :
R K NARAYAN
Publisher name :
Indian Thought Publication
In The Dark Room, R.K. Narayan weaves a touching narrative by taking the readers back to the enchanting world of the fictional town Malgudi. Summary Of The Book :In The Dark Room, the protagonist is Savitri, a dutiful and submissive housewife. In what would seem an ideal marriage, Savitri suddenly realizes her complete dependency on Ramani, her husband. The pressures of keeping a marriage from falling apart can appear burdensome. New challenges crop up when Ramani recommends the spirited and independent Mrs.Shanta Bai to the company he works for, Engladia Insurance Company. Mrs.Shanta Bai is no ordinary woman and Savitri can only guess the problems that will crop up with the appearance of this new character in their lives. Ramani aggravates Savitri by borrowing her favorite furniture and giving it to Shanta Bai for furnishing her own office. Naturally, Savitri, who has no alternative or voice to protest, retreats into her own corner. This corner is her dark room. Betrayals occur in a series and Savitri is left with no choice but to gather all her belongings and walk out. Needless to say, Ramani and the children are shocked by this bold step. This story does not deal simply with a troubled marriage. Savitri may seem vexed to the point of attempting suicide, but she understands her role in life. The Dark Room portrays the steps she takes to deal with the problems in her life and how she goes about trying to carve an independent space for herself. Narayan chooses to point out the harsh realities of several women and their roles as wives and mothers within the familial structure that is prevalent in India. He treats Savitri with sympathy and creates a poignant tale.
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Krishnan teaches English at the Albert Mission College in Malgudi, and lives happily alone. His days are monotonous, replete with routines. His wife and new born child live with his in-laws. But, when his child is around seven months old, the elders of the family decide that it is time for Krishnan to take up the responsibilities for his family. So, they inform him that his wife and child would be joining him soon. Krishnan's life is changed, as he has to find a new house to live with his family. He is initially upset at the change in routine, but soon, he grows to love it. His wife Sushila transforms his life and they grow very close. He also adores his little daughter, Leela. As a family man, Krishnan learns to adjust to the many changes and also enjoys the many delights it brings. Soon, Sushila and Krishnan plan to move to another house, and start house hunting. Unfortunately, Sushila gets accidentally trapped in a dirty toilet and as a result, she contracts typhoid. Krishnan takes care of her diligently, always remaining optimistic about her recovery. Sadly, though, she dies, and KrishnanÆs life is again changed, this time, it is thrown into confusion and bereavement. He finds it hard to come to term with the loss, and tries many means to get over his grief. He finds a bit of relief in the antics of his daughter Leela, and her childish innocence and wonder. He tries to lose himself in taking care of her, but the weight of his loss refuses to ease its burden. Eventually he turns to spirituality and tries to connect with his wife's spirit through a medium. By the end of the book, The English Teacher, Krishnan manages to come to term with his loss, and turns all his attention towards his daughter. He resigns from his position at the college and becomes a teacher at a new school started by a friend and mentor.
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