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Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, better known as RK Narayan, was a renowned Indian author celebrated for his captivating stories set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. He was among the prominent early Indian writers who penned their works in English, alongside Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao.
RK Narayan’s most significant achievement was introducing India to the world through his compelling literature. His close friendship with Graham Greene, who served as his mentor and helped him secure publishers for his initial four books, is a central part of his biography.
In 1941, he established his own publishing company, and his writings swiftly became cherished additions to the bookshelves of countless Indian households. At the peak of his illustrious career, Narayan received the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 1964. Thirty-six years later, just a year before his passing at the age of 94, he was honored with the esteemed Padma Vibhushan award in 2000.
Sadly, RK Narayan’s health deteriorated, and he was hospitalized for cardiovascular issues in Madras, the capital of Tamil Nadu, his place of birth in 1906, just two weeks before his passing.
RK Narayan Early Life
R.K. Narayan, born in 1906 into a Tamil Brahmin family with eight children, stood out even in British India’s Madras Presidency. He developed a passion for reading early on, devouring the works of renowned authors like Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Wodehouse. Inspired by these literary giants, he found a deep interest in writing and sought to share his talent with the world.
Despite taking an extra year to complete his graduation, R.K. Narayan eventually began his career as a schoolteacher. However, he soon abandoned teaching to fully pursue writing. During a visit to Coimbatore, he fell in love with a woman named Rajam and, after overcoming various obstacles, they married in 1934.
RK Narayan Education
RK Narayan attended multiple schools during his education. While he was living with his grandmother in Madras, he primarily went to three schools: the Lutheran Mission School in Purasawalkam, C.R.C. High School, and Christian College High School.
Narayan was an avid reader and enjoyed authors like Dickens, Wodehouse, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Thomas Hardy during his upbringing. Following high school, he faced a setback when he didn’t pass the university entrance exam. However, this gave him the opportunity to spend a year at home, where he dedicated his time to reading and writing.
Eventually, he successfully passed the final exam in 1926 and enrolled in Maharaja College of Mysore. RK Narayan’s commitment to reading was evident in his life, and he made the most of his free time by indulging in books.
RK Narayan Writing Career
R.K. Narayan, renowned for his fiction, didn’t embark on his writing career with a fictional piece. His initial foray into published writing was a review of a book on 17th-century English Maritime Laws. Subsequently, he contributed short stories to a local newspaper.
Alongside his contributions to local publications, he began crafting his debut novel, “Swami and Friends,” which he completed in 1930. Despite his best efforts, when Narayan submitted the novel to various publishers, it faced rejection from all quarters.
RK Narayan Awards and Honors
RK Narayan authored 34 novels, with some of his notable works being “The English Teacher” (1945), “Waiting for the Mahatma” (1955), “The Guide” (1958), “The Man-Eater of Malgudi” (1961), “The Vendor of Sweets” (1967), and “A Tiger for Malgudi” (1983).
One of his significant accomplishments was winning the prestigious National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy in 1958 for his novel “The Guide,” which was India’s highest literary honor. Narayan received several other accolades, including the AC Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature and India’s second and third highest civilian awards, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan.
In 1994, he was bestowed with the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, India’s most esteemed literary recognition. He was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper parliamentary house.
For more insights into RK Narayan’s life and work, visit Vedantu to discover what experts have to say about this legendary figure. His literary creations have solidified his status as an enduring icon in Indian literature, cherished by book lovers of all ages.
RK Narayan Big Breakthrough
R.K. Narayan’s significant career breakthrough occurred when he received a recommendation for publishing his book “Swami and Friends” from the famous English writer, Graham Greene. This recommendation came about because Narayan had previously sent a copy of his novel to a friend in England, who then shared it with Graham Greene.
In 1935, “Swami and Friends” was finally published, and it was well-received. This novel was even recognized as one of the “100 Most Influential Novels” by the BBC in 2019.
Graham Greene continued to support Narayan by helping publish his next two novels, “The Bachelor of Arts” in 1937 and “The Dark Room” in 1938. While these novels earned critical acclaim, they did not achieve significant sales. These three novels, including “Swami and Friends,” are often seen as a trilogy with a common theme.
RK Narayan Wife’s Death
R.K. Narayan had a deep love for his wife, Rajam. However, in 1939, tragedy struck when Rajam fell ill with typhoid and tragically passed away. This loss had a profound impact on R.K. Narayan, taking a toll on his mental well-being. He found himself in the challenging position of raising his three-year-old daughter, Hema, all on his own.
This personal tragedy served as a significant source of inspiration for Narayan’s upcoming novel, “The English Teacher.” This book marked the turning point in his writing career, earning him the recognition and appreciation he rightfully deserved from readers. In 1942, Narayan even ventured into publishing, establishing “Indian Thought Publications” in Mysore.
Narayan’s commercial breakthrough came in 1952 with the publication of “The Financial Expert,” which was hailed as one of the year’s most innovative and outstanding works of fiction.
RK Narayan Works
RK Narayan Novels
- The Man-Eater of Malgudi (1961, Viking)
- Swami and Friends (1935, Hamish Hamilton)
- The Painter of Signs (1977, Heinemann)
- The Bachelor of Arts (1937, Thomas Nelson)
- The Financial Expert (1952, Methuen)
- A Tiger for Malgudi (1983, Heinemann)
- The Guide (1958, Methuen)
- The Dark Room (1938, Eyre)
- Grandmother’s Tale (1992, Indian Thought Publications)
- The English Teacher (1945, Eyre)
- Talkative Man (1986, Heinemann)
- A Story-Teller’s World (1989, Penguin Books)
- Reluctant Guru (1974, Orient Paperbacks)
- A Writer’s Nightmare (1988, Penguin Books)
- Waiting for the Mahatma (1955, Methuen)
- Sampath (1948, Eyre)
- The Vendor of Sweets (1967, The Bodley Head)
- The World of Nagaraj (1990, Heinemann)
- Gods, Demons, and Others (1964, Viking)
- The Ramayana (1972, Chatto & Windus)
RK Narayan Short story collections
- A Horse and Two Goats (1970)
- Malgudi Days (1942, Indian Thought Publications)
- The Grandmother’s Tale and Selected Stories (1994, Viking)
- Lawley Road and Other Stories (1956, Indian Thought Publications)
- Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories (1985)
- An Astrologer’s Day and Other Stories (1947, Indian Thought Publications)
RK Narayan Non-fiction
- The Emerald Route (1980, Indian Thought Publications)
- The Mahabharata (1978, Heinemann)
- Next Sunday (1960, Indian Thought Publications)
- My Days (1973, Viking)
- The Writerly Life (2001, Penguin Books India)
- My Dateless Diary (1960, Indian Thought Publications)
- Mysore (1944, second edition, Indian Thought Publications)
RK Narayan Legacy
R.K. Narayan, Raja Rao, and Mulk Raj Anand stand as prominent English writers from India. R.K. Narayan, in particular, has left a lasting mark with his writing, ensuring that his work will be remembered for generations.
He played a pivotal role in introducing Indian culture to the global audience through his writings. Notably, his creation of the fictional town of Malgudi is a significant achievement. All of Narayan’s stories revolve around Malgudi and its inhabitants, breathing life into the town and its characters through his narratives.
RK Narayan Death
In 1980, R.K. Narayan earned a nomination as a member of the Rajya Sabha, which is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. He received this honor due to his exceptional contributions to literature.
R.K. Narayan’s illustrious writing journey concluded with his last book, “Grandmother’s Tale,” in 1992. Sadly, he passed away on May 13, 2001, at the age of 94 in Chennai.
FAQs on About RK Narayan
Who is RK Narayan?
RK Narayan, full name Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, is a renowned Indian author known for his captivating stories set in the fictional town of Malgudi. He is one of the early Indian writers who wrote in English, along with Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao
What is RK Narayan's most significant achievement?
RK Narayan's most significant achievement was introducing India to the world through his literature. He is celebrated for his contribution to Indian English literature, making it more accessible on a global scale
How did RK Narayan's friendship with Graham Greene influence his career?
RK Narayan's close friendship with Graham Greene, a famous English writer, played a central role in his career. Greene served as Narayan's mentor and helped him secure publishers for his initial four books, providing a significant boost to his writing career.
What is the significance of the fictional town of Malgudi in RK Narayan's works?
Malgudi is a fictional town created by RK Narayan, and it serves as the backdrop for many of his stories. The town and its characters are central to his narratives, making it a unique and enduring element of his literary legacy.
When and where did RK Narayan pass away?
RK Narayan passed away on May 13, 2001, at the age of 94 in Chennai, India.
