Swamy is the son of a traditional Hindu Lawyer – W. T. Srinivasan. Swamy is studying in First form in a Mission school. He was insulted by his friends Somu, Shankar & Mani for taking the matter to his father about twisting of his ears by Christian Scripture teacher as Swamy protests against the insulting reference to the Hindu religion made by his teacher. Rajam, a new comer, son of Deputy Superintendent of Police joins the Mission school. Everybody admires Rajam as he is a brilliant student and well dressed, self confident and above all is the son of D.S.P. But Mani hates Rajam and he wants to humble him but later become friends.
Srinivasan, the father of Swamy insists that Swamy study at all times as his examination is nearing. Swamy invites Rajam to his house and Swamy’s friends Somu, Shankar and others make fun of him as “Rajam’s Tail”. This results in a quarrel between Swamy and Mutter. Mani interferes and tries to console them. As Somu insults Mani, as he is very proud of his club, thus leads to a fight between them and Principal interferes and send them to their classes.Rajam invites home his friends including Mani and Swamy. He pleads with everyone to give up enemity and become friends and he offers them lot of gifts and snacks.
There is only a week left for the examination. Mani is little confused with the lessons. He tries to get some hints, the questions that is expected in the examination by offering some fruits and vegetables to the clerk. But the clerk refuses to tell anything saying that, he does not know about the questions that is prepared for the exam. The clerk advises Mani to study all the lessons and be prepared for the exam. They finish the examination and come out with joy as they have two months holidays, before them. But, Swamy’s father insists that Swamy study the lessons of next year’s syllabus.
During the holidays, Swamy wishes to play the hoop. He enquires the cartman for spare cycle wheel. The cartman says, he can make a new hoop for Five Rupees as he does not have the money to pay for the hoop, Swamy pleads with him to give some idea for having the hoop. The greedy cartman agrees to mint the money by some magic by putting some copper coins along with some special herbs in a pot and performing Yoga in the night and convert the copper coins into silver coins. For this he wants six copper coins. Swamy somehow manages to give him eighteen paise. But later the cartman refuses to recognize Swamy and says, Swamy has not given any money. After discussing with Mani and Rajam, Swamy plans to kidnap the son of the cartman, so that he can get the wheel or the money he paid. But their plan fails.
Swamy is now possessed by the patriotic fever to liberate India from the British, listening to the speech of a leader. The crowd protests against the arrest of Malgudi’s great leader, Gowri Shankar, by boycotting the Lancashire cloth and burning it and there by directly hitting the economy of British. In response to this call Swamy pulls off his Khadder cap, thinking it as Lancashire cloth, and puts onto the fire. In response to the call given by the speaker to close down the offices and the institutions to protest the arrest of their leader, Swamy throws some stones on the window of the principal’s room and breaks the glass. The Head master and the peon observe the mischief. The next day the Head master punishes the students for their absence on the previous day. Swamy is severely caned for breaking the glasses and he comes out of the school and refuse to go to that school again. The he joins the Board school, the only other school in Malgudi.
Swamy finds his new school more problematic than Albert Mission School as he has lot of home work to do and also the drill class which interferes with the new found passion — Cricket. Swamy and his friends start a cricket team and name it a M.C.C. — the Malgudi Cricket Club with Rajam as Captain and challenges the home team Y.M.U. — the Young Man’s Union cricket team. Swamy even misses his drill class to practice cricket with the aim of defeating the Y.M.U. team in their first match.
With only a week left for the match, Swamy could not come to practice on time due to the drill class. At last they find a way of solving this problem. According to this, Rajam has to visit the Head master of Board school and request him to exempt Swamy from the drill class till the match is over. But this does not work. Swamy goes to a doctor to get a false medical certificate saying that, he is suffering from severe Delirium and needs rest and that he be exempted from the scouting and drill classes. As Swamy has a sound health, the doctor refuses to give false certificate. But, promises that he will talk to the Head master and allow him to leave the school at 4.30 thus help him to practice cricket. But the doctor couldn’t keep up the promise. By his constant absence for drill classes and scouting, the Head master canes Swamy severely. With severe pain Swamy snatches the cane from the Head Master and runs away from school with his books. Then he rushes to Rajam’s school and informs him about the incident and promises him to meet in the evening at the ground. He now has another problem of facing his father. Now that he has come out of Board school and he cannot go back to Mission school again. He looks very depressed and grumbling all the way enter the forest without his knowledge and loses his way.
The search for Swamy begins in Malgudi. Swamy’s father runs everywhere in search of him but could not find him. Swamy losing his way in the forest, is scared by the terrible sound and roaring of the animals and he falls asleep on the way. A cartman finds Swamy and takes him to the forest officer. He succeeds in finding the address of Swamy and sends message to the D.S.P., Rajam’s father at Malgudi, about Swamy. On Sunday, the cricket match starts between M.C.C. & Y.M.U. Y.M.U. bats first and no bowler succeeds in restricting the Y.M.U. team scoring. They score a big total and ask M.C.C. to bat. But Rajam’s team fails to get the runs and they lose the match. Swamy returns home with his father to his mother and grandmother. Thinking the day as Saturday, Swamy returns Malgudi with a lot of hope of winning the match against Y.M.U., the next day. But he was late. They were already lost the match. Rajam is very angry with Swamy as he is the main cause for their defeat. Swamy tries to meet Rajam and explain the situation and ask for his forgiveness. But his attempts are in vain. Then he learns from Mani that Rajam’s father is transferred to Thiruchirapalli and they are leaving the next day. Swamy somehow manages to see Rajam in the Railway station and give him a book as gift. Swamy bics farewell to Rajam with his eyes full of tears.
Little Swamy, like all timid children, sucks his thumb and sleeps near his devoted, story – telling grandmother. Father is quite annoyed at this mollycoddling and cleverly provokes his son into a show of courage: he is to sleep all alone in his office that very night. And so, he drags the reluctant child to the office while the women in the family look on helplessly. A petrified Swamy sleeps fitfully’ dreams and reality merge’ but the next morning the little boy wakes up “A Hero” – with a special invitation to join the police force. Swamy abounds in the adulation and praise, while Father is pleased to know his son’s photograph has appeared in the local newspapers. Rushing in one night to break the good news, he finds Swamy back to his old ways one night of manhood is enough for the boy. R.K. Narayan pits the age – old courage vs. strength theory – either you have it in you or you don’t.
An impressive statue of a Horse and Warrior stands on the outskirts of a sleepy village named Kritam, not too far from Malgudi. Muni, the local goat – herd and his family (wife and two goats) has obviously seen better day. Hunger seems to follow them about like shadows because the shopkeeper’s terms are ‘strictly cash’. And so, penniless, dreaming of drumstick curry and other such delicacies, he grazes his goats each day – lazing in the shadows of the great Horse. On one such typical day, an American tourist happens to run out of ‘gas’ near the statue. The unlikely characters meet and an interesting conversation is soon in full swing. The American speaks only English while Muni speaks chaste Tamil. Not a single word is understood by either, yet they go on like long lost friends. Finally, an unexpected bargain takes place between Muni and the American that has surprising results for Muni. The story brings out R.K. Narayan’s earthy sense of humor, dealing with communication and the language barrier.
A simple farmer was exploited constantly by the landlord, who is a drunk and debauch landlord. Unable to bear the torture, the farmer pushes him into a well and flees, fearing the police will catch him. But the landlord has a miraculous escape and survives as the well has dried up. For many years the landlord thirst for revenge and is on the search for the farmer. One day he hears of a famous astrologer who can predict almost anything under the sun. Though the landlord is very cynical about astrology, he decides to pay a visit to the astrologer at the insistence of a friend. The astrologer shocks the landlord when he precisely recounts the landlord’s past by narrating to him the attempt on his life by the farmer. When the landlord asks him for the whereabouts of the farmer the astrologer tells him that the farmer has met with a gruesome death and that he should stop his futile search. The landlord, somewhat appeased, leaves. The astrologer returns home and removes his disguise. We find that he is none other than the farmer himself! All these years the farmer has been guilt – ridden for having killed the landlord, but since finding out that the landlord is alive, he is happy and relieved and makes plan to lead a normal and open life. A light and lively tale, “An Astrologer’s Day” has R.K. Narayan’s satire with a twist in the tale.
No one knew her name, from when she went, or came – for the family she was just ‘Ayah’*. A willing slave to cook and care for the three children, keep a stern eye on the other servants and to generally keep the house in running order – all for a pittance of a sari and a few rupees a month. The only sign of any family of her own were two hefty, sullen men in their early 40′s who would come to collect a part of her meager salary which she gave willingly. The story features ‘The Ayah’ and Little Radha (the smallest of the children) – their unique relationship where each indulges the other’s fantasy till one day when the Ayah leaves to becomes a willing slave for yet someone else. Everyone from eight to eighty will identify with this bitter — sweet tale. For the ‘Ayah’ forms an important figure in the Indian household. And for the Western world, our central character would be quite, quite unbelievable yet, about a Mother figurine.
‘Annamalai’ is a touching story of a warm and gentle worker who starts to work for a writer under very strange circumstances. The writer wants peace but is unable to bear the racquet the nearby lorry depot makes. The lorry owner gives him a choice of moving to a peaceful place and even lends him one of his lorries to move. One of the movers happens to be Annamalai who has been working as an indenture labourer for the lorry owner. Annamalai decides to stay back at the writers home. The writer and Annamalai develop a beautiful relationship. Annamalai does many things; cooks, guards the house but most of the time takes care of the garden. Annamalai is an uneducated person, but has a strong sense of morals and ethics. One day, Annamalai finds out that a tailor who owes him money in his village is cheating him and his family. Annamalai requests the writer for a 10 day leave, but the writer refuses as he has begun to become dependent on him. Instead the writer offers him money. But Annamalai is not so much bothered about money as he is about being cheated. So, he begs him to give him leave but to no use. Finally, Annamalai decides to leave without the writer’s permission. Assuring the writer that he is not a thief and telling him that he has taken only is belonging, Annamalai leaves. After many months, the writer gets a letter from Annamalai asking him some financial help. The writer sends him more than he had asked for, hoping he will come back. One day as the writer sits writing, the sound of the gate opening is heard. He sees Annamalai is back.
‘Annamalai’ is a touching story of a warm and gentle worker who starts to work for a writer under very strange circumstances. The writer wants peace but is unable to bear the racquet the nearby lorry depot makes. The lorry owner gives him a choice of moving to a peaceful place and even lends him one of his lorries to move. One of the movers happens to be Annamalai who has been working as an indenture laborer for the lorry owner. Annamalai decides to stay back at the writers home. The writer and Annamalai develop a beautiful relationship. Annamalai does many things; cooks, guards the house but most of the time takes care of the garden. Annamalai is an uneducated person, but has a strong sense of morals and ethics. One day, Annamalai finds out that a tailor who owes him money in his village is cheating him and his family. Annamalai requests the writer for a 10 day leave, but the writer refuses as he has begun to become dependent on him. Instead the writer offers him money. But Annamalai is not so much bothered about money as he is about being cheated. So, he begs him to give him leave but to no use. Finally, Annamalai decides to leave without the writer’s permission. Assuring the writer that he is not a thief and telling him that he has taken only is belonging, Annamalai leaves. After many months, the writer gets a letter from Annamalai asking him some financial help. The writer sends him more than he had asked for, hoping he will come back. One day as the writer sits writing, the sound of the gate opening is heard. He sees Annamalai is back.
The Antidote’ is a humorous tale that takes place entirely in the backdrops of a film shoot and its crew. The protagonist of the story, Gopal is also the hero of the Tele – film. The day of the shoot coincidentally happens to be his birthday. The scene that is to be shot on that day is of the hero’s death. But ironically the hero’s astrologer has forewarned him that he is not supposed to do anything inauspicious on that particular day. The hero requests, pleads and even begs the director, the scriptwriter and the producer to shoot the scene on some other day. But due to various constraints they refuse to abide by his wishes and insist on shooting it that very day. Terror stricken to the enact a death scene. Gopal finds a solution by winking at the camera at the last minute. This goes unnoticed by the camera man and the director. Gopal’s duplicity is revealed when they all preview the rushes. But everything ends well with the director forgiving Gopal and they decide to re – shoot the scene. The Antidote’ dwells lightly on people’s faith in superstitions and how by twisting events and circumstances everyone can be happy.
It is a funny tale of exploitation in the village where a landlord and an exorcist combine to squeeze the blood from their miserably poor tenants. To protect his loot, the landlord places six kerosene cans one on top of each other hoping that any thief might sound the alarm. But the only thieves here are rats- not humans. The exorcist suggests that a cat could deal with these vermin. When a brass pot suddenly comes alive bouncing up and down in the landlord’s godown, the terror stricken tenants not realizing that the cat is under the pot huddle together and the exorcist is sent for driving away the evil spirit !
When the talkative man won a massive road engine at the fair, friends congratulated him on his good fortune. Little did he know that this was just the beginning of ‘engine trouble’! As we follow the talkative man through his travails to get rid of the engine, we encounter several familiar small – town characters – the arrogant municipal chairman, the temple priest, a yoga swami and event the temple elephant. When all fails, the talkative man prepares to leave the town, leaving the engine to its fate. Is that the only way out or will a miraculous solution present itself. Thoroughly enjoyable, ‘Engine Trouble’ keeps you chuckling.
Dodu is a sweet touching story about a little boy who wants to make some money to buy little things he fancies. Being smart and enterprising, Dodu decides to use the pocket money his uncle has given him to buy stamps and sell them. His family members who buy the stamps fail to pay him. Thus making him incur losses. Once a stranger offers to buy stamps, but starts a fight when he discovers that Dodu is making a profit over the stamp. Thus ends Dodu’s business venture. One day he discovers that people buy writings done on palm leaves. Without knowing that the ones they buy are of historical importance and are heritages of the past, Dodu in all his innocence scribble on a palm leaf and takes it to the archeologists. The archeologists happens to be a kind and warm human being and he indulges Dodu by buying the leaf for a few coins. Dodu is happy, he walks away, munching on peanuts. R.K. Narayan is at his best when he writes about children and little dreams and aspirations. Dodu is one touching example.
Poor old watchman! ‘Why’ he asks, ‘do people come to my Tank Bund to end their lives’ Suicide has become almost a fashion at the small, deep Tank – with the explanatory letter left behind. Death seems to greet him every month or so, till one night he chances on a young lady in distress already waist – deep in the water. The night is young as the Watchman gets acquainted with the lady’s problems. At dawn, having said his piece, he leaves her to do what she will. And it is only many, many years later that he discovers what really happened the morning after the night before. R.K. Narayan examines the stifling conditions of the Indian Woman for whom economic independence seems the only answer to their problems.
This is the story of a pick – pocketier and his final outcome in life when he tries to take right path which is practically satire. Raju, who is a pick pocketer continues his profession bluffing his wife that he is earning ease from various business, etc. On one such occasion he follows a gentle man with the Green Blazer finds that he has bought some balloons for his daughter and ultimately pick pockets his purse. While removing the cash from the purse notices the balloon, which the man bought for his young daughter. He is really upset thinking what the child will feel when he goes back without the balloon. Raju push back the balloon in the purse and tries to put it back in the pocket of the gentleman with the Green Blazer. At that time he is caught, beaten up and handed over to police with the feeling that never again he will ever sympathize with anyone.
Krishna’s love for his wife was killing her. Strange though it many sound, they were the very word uttered by a holy Astrologer. It all began years ago when his and the girl’s parents were opposed to the marriage. The horoscopes too, did not match. But on seeing the unhappy couple, the parents relented and gave in. Now, many years later as the Astrologer had predicted, Mars (Krishna’s house) was killing the girl. The doctor diagnosed it as typhoid, but no amount of treatment would cure her. And so, Krishna returned to the Astrologer who advised him to be unfaithful to his wife. That day he dressed in the finest silks and ordered the taxi driver to take him to Rangi the dancer who sometimes doubled as a woman of vice. Would Krishna save his wife or would the deadly fever consume her?
A little girl’s performance is watched by a film producer and director who come in search of the girl who is asked to be brought to studio for the screen test. The girl fearing this hides herself as the time nears for her to go to the studio The parents who start searching fo their daughter are worried about her disappearance. Ultimately the mother realizes that the girl has hidden herself in a basket and fainted and when she comes to her senses and pleads with the mother not to send her to acting, she concedes to her demand.
Forty- Five A Month is a touching story about a simple man Venkat who has a wife Laxmi and school going daughter Shanti. He works with Elgin Electric Flour Mill as an accountant and earns Rs. 40 per month. Venkat who is constantly under work responsibilities cannot take time out for his daughter and wife. This upsets both of them. One day his daughter Shanti pleads him to take her to watch a cinema in nearby theatre. This time Venkat decides to please Shanti make up for all the past events he has missed with her. In the office, impressed with his performance his boss offers him a promotion and increase in salary by Rs. 5. This puts him in an awkward situation to ask for a leave. In the excitement Shanti bunks her school, doesn’t eat her food and keeps waiting for her father the entire evening but Venkat doesn’t come till late in the night. He finds his daughter tired and sleeping. Helpless Venkat sits by her bedside and starts weeping. R.K Narayan is at his best in describing the life of a common man.
‘Four Rupees’ is a delightful story of Ranga a poor man who is lazy and good for nothing. The story begins with Ranga being scolded by his wife to go and look for job, as they do not have anything to eat. Reluctantly, Ranga goes out and asked people for odd jobs such as climbing the coconut tree and plucking the coconuts. At all his efforts are to no avail. As he sits dejected in the market road, a servant comes by and seeks his help to fetch an antique pot, which has fallen into the well. He even promises good money. Ranga is enticed by the offer, but is scared to get into the well. But the servant leaves him no choice and drags him along. When they reach the rich man’s house, Ranga is petrified looking at the deep well and wants to back out, but the entire family coaxes him to get into well. To postpone the impending task, Ranga claims he is hungry and they feed him like a royal prince. They even increase his fee for fetching the pot. Finally, mustering enough courage, Ranga goes into the well and by accident retrieves the pot. He goes home with four rupees, a box of sweets and new clothes much to the disbelief of his wife who thinks he must have stolen the money. He tells her of his ordeal of getting into the well but the wife does not believe him. When he notices a similar looking antique pot belonging to the mother – in – law Ranga starts running, shouting that he will not return till the pot is taken away from his sight.
Every college has an Iswaran – the student who seems to be growing roots in the same class. The target for fellow – students taunts and even his own parents skepticism. Ishwaran is a lonely, tormented soul. He tries to mask his feelings with jaunty defiance, but underneath he remains hopelessly scared by failure, desperately longing and praying for success. He seeks escape in the cinema, trying to lose his woes in the world of make – believe. Torn between the desire to see his name among the successful students, and the fear of failure, he contemplates and then discards the idea of suicide. However fate has something in store for Iswaran; an ending that takes us all by.
‘Lawley Road’ is a charming story that begins with the Talkative man, an endearing character created by R.K. Narayan. In the episode, the Talkative Man recounts to his friends the incident of how he came to have a house in the New Extension in Malgudi though he is a mere freelance journalist. The story is set just after India had got her independence. A blanket seller, who used to sell blankets to the British, wins the election and becomes a Municipality chairman. Having won the election, the new chairman want to do things that will earn him posterity. His ambition leads to a number of hilarious incidents; including changing the names of the streets and causing utter confusion. The chairman however, is still not satisfied. He is on the look out to do more when he realizes that though India has got her independence, Sir Frederick, a British officer’s Statue stands proudly in the center of Malgudi. He wants to bring it down immediately. A plan to evacuate the statue is set in motion but the statue made out of metal proves to be a burden. Finally the Talkative man offers to take it if he is given it free of cost. The chairman agrees. The Talkative Man manages the Herculean task of bringing the statue to his home, but it gets stuck in the doorway. He and his family can neither get in to the house nor go out. His wife gets angry at the entire incident and leaves for her father’s house. In the meantime, the chairman gets a letter from the government saying Sir Frederick Lawley was a supporter of India’s Independence movement and that an error has been committed by removing his statues. The government also instructs that Sir Frederick Lawley Statue should immediately be reinstalled with honor. But the statue is stuck in the doorway of the Talkative man’s house. The talkative Man refuses to give back the statue. He ultimately strikes a deal with the chairman and sells his house along with the Sir Frederick Lawley’s Statue to the government as a Na
8 year old Leela abounds with joy when her parents hire a new servant to help about the house. Sidda the servant, is a simple soul – but he is all she knows. The Sivasankar family is a picture of joy as Sidda helps run an efficient household and give Leela the benefit of his experience. One day on the way home from market, Mrs. Sivasankar discovers her daughter’s chain missing. Sidda too vanishes. Leela is beside herself with grief, while the parents are busy with their own work, and the Police. In yet another bitter – sweet tale, R.K. Narayan sharply contrasts the innocent world of child with the hard realities of adulthood. The chain in finally found in a pickle- jar, but Sidda’s screams rent the air around the Police – station. Leela’s Friend is no more.
Minister without portfolio & Korean Grass is a hilarious political farce with R.K. Narayan’s unique satirical touch. The story is a series of funny events that take place around a Minister who happens to hold no portfolio. Having no portfolio also means a minister has no importance. Yet he wants to make himself useful and appear important. The incongruity of his position is reflected in the fact that he has to inaugurate, of all things, a crematorium. With plenty of time on his hands and nothing much to do, the minister plans all kinds of schemes which are of no worth to anyone. One such scheme is that of importing Korean grass, to make the landscape beautiful. His secretary plays along with the minister’s idiotic plans adding to the comical situation. Another one is to investigate the death of a child by a tiger in the zoo. His superiors always thwart the minister’s plan. It ends happily when the Chief Minister’s far off relatives dies, and the Minister without Portfolio has to inaugurate the crematorium with the dead body. He feels important that at least he is inaugurating the crematorium with an important, thigh dead, person.
This is the story of Venkatesh, a Snake charmer and his son Pundi who perform various acts with live snake for their living. The boy develops love for the snake. Venkatesh, the snake charmer having lost his wife develops an association with another married woman. In the mean time they catch hold of a monkey and train it to perform in the public along with the snake.
This episode continues with the training of the newly caught monkey to perform in the public. Venkatesh, the snake charmer deserts his son and runs off with other woman and also takes the newly trained monkey for his living. Left at this, the boy tries to live by performing in public with the snake. The snake is old and is not above to raise even its hood. Pundi, the boy having developed association with the snake tries to feed it even though he goes hungry. With disgust he tries to get rid of the snake by leaving it in forest. When he sees an Eagle is about to attack the snake he rushes to the snake and protects it and take it back.
The Neighbour’s help is a beautiful story that portrays true friendship never dies. Ekambaram and Ram are childhood friends: they have grown up together, and even got married around the same time, Ekambaram has a large family and find it difficult to manage on his meager lawyer’s income. However, Ram has inherited his father’s business, has a small family and is prosperous. One day, Ekambaram dies, leaving the family’s gold jewellery in Ram’s charge till such a time his son grown up. Ram is helpful and starts to give money to Ekambram’s family and educates his children. But soon his businessman’s instinct takes over and he thinks, he should start charging interest. One day when he sits down to calculate the interest in the quite of his farmhouse, Ekambaram’s ghost comes and taunts him about being greedy. Ram is shaken. He goes back home and tell his wife about Ekambaram’s ghostly visit. His wife laughs it off saying that it’s his own conscience that’s telling him not to be selfish and she advises not o be greedy and not to charge interest. Ram realizes his folly and makes it up to Ekambaram’s family helping his son get job. He returns the jewellery that has been his custody, and also gives them some money. Ram’s guilt conscience is appeased and he lives happily ever after.
The rebellious boy is called Nitya, 20 years ago, his mortal illness led the parents to make a vow: to place the tiny tot’s hair on the Lord’s alter — if he saved their boy’s life Allopathy or sacred vow — Nitya lived on. The parents grew forgetful till one day they remembered the vow. Both grew fretful, for Nitya was not one to fool about with. A 100 — mile journey, ending in a total head shave was not his idea of fun. But somehow, the parents managed to convince their son and they all set off one Friday morning. The journey, to say the least, was comfortable and on reaching the site, a steep hill — climb awaited them. Nitya cursed to his heart’s content — but there was no way out. On reaching the village, the party were greeted profusely by the villagers and refreshments were laid out — which Father politely refused. Worse still, the barber was missing from his house, so no shave could take place. This pleased Nitya no end, but annoyed his parents. An infuriated Nitya offered a mere four inches of his front locks to the village Headman just as the local barber came cycling desperately down the lane. Would the young lad lose his glorious mane or survive the ordeal.
To Malgudi comes India’s most famed archaeologist – Dr. Bandhopadhyaya, a bit of a crank! His equally cranky theories are conveyed to old friend cum assistant, none other than the Talkative Man. The archaeologist believes that remnants of Ancient Rome still lie about the plains of Malgudi – and he’s out to prove it! And so the two go tramping around the countryside, looking for these remnants till the Talkative Man comes up with a stone image which is confirmed as Roman! The press laud them, the Historical Society praise them, and the two bask in public adulation. Returning to the spot one morning, the Talkative Man chances on the truth about the image – was it really from Ancient Rome or have our heroes made a slight geographical error.
Snake Song is an incident that occurs in the Talkative Man’s life. He recounts an interesting and gripping anecdote to his friends when an argument starts about the difference between extraordinary music and mediocre music. The story unfolds with the Talkative Man having harbored ambitions of becoming a flautist and how it all came to an end. As per the traditional system of Gurushishya parampara, the Talkative Man, an orphan, had become the disciple of a famous music Guru. Just when he had mastered the art of playing the flute, an incident occurs in his life that shatters his dreams. One day, the Talkative Man turns away a hungry mendicant, as he is too busy practicing. The Mendicant loves the music, but goes away hunger — stricken cursing that this will be the last time the Talkative Man will ever play the flute. As the Talkative Man continue to practice the Punnaga Varali, the raga of the snakes, a real snake comes in and haunts him to continue playing non- stop till he drops out of sheer exhaustion. The Guru tells him that unless he manages to be forgiven by the mendicant he can never play the flute again. Thus ends the dreams of the Talkative Man of becoming a flutist. The story, like all R.K. Narayan’s masterpieces, t ells us that ambition alone is not enough to master an art, but being humane and compassionate is equally important in achieving one’s goals in life.
‘Salt & Stardust’ is a light story that reflects a young couple’s dreams and ambitions. Swamy works in a factory and Veena is a housewife. Veena is a bad cook, so Swamy cooks everyday before going to work. Veena harbors dreams of becoming a writer and Swamy brings her a notebook to write. Many days and months pass, and Veena has not progressed much with her story. Finally, with the help of Swamy, Veena manages to complete a story. The story is a comedy and tells the tale of a Chinese dentist who falls in love with his toothless patient and how they get married. Swamy is a very good cook, and he has a brilliant idea. He suggest that the story should not merely mention the grand wedding but also give details of what food was served at the banquet with details of every dish. He also suggests that the recipe of the food served should form a detailed portion for people to appreciate the book. Finally they send it to the publishers. The story ends hilariously when the publishers want to print only the recipes and not the story! Thus, Veena who does not know how to cook becomes a famous recipe writer with the help of her husband Swamy!
This is the story of Ramu, an orphan boy wanting to have a job with a merchant in the town of Malgudi. Being orphan, he takes pity on Ramu and employs him. Ramu develops association with the whole family in a manner that they begin trusting him totally. Sheshadri, the boy practically allows Ramu to handle total business including purchase and sale and he thinks of expanding the business with the assistance of Ramu who has become one of the family member. One day when Sheshadri was out of station and returns back, finds that his whole shop is empty and Ramu not only had swindle all the money but also borrowed money and disappeared. Sheshadri now forced to leave the town because of the heavy loss and after several years when he is going to a Temple, he sees a man begging on the steps of the temple who is affected by leprosy. He realizes that he is Ramu and tries to call him. When he turns back, he finds Ramu not there and has disappeared, leaving in the mind of the audience whatever they feel like.
Dr. Raman has a reputation of foreseeing his patient’s future; life or death. He is known never to have gone wrong. But Dr. Raman faces a strange predicament when his closest friend Gopal falls ill and his is compelled to predict whether he is going to live or die. It is imperative that Gopal knows whether he is going to live or die since he has to sign papers concerning property documents. If he does not sign them, his family will be poverty stricken. But if Dr. Raman allows him to sign them, that would mean giving his friend not even an iota of hope. After much contemplation, Dr. Raman decides to play with fate and for the first time lies to Gopal. He tells Gopal that he has to fear no more and that he is going to live for many years to come. After the surgery, Dr. Raman has no hope, but to his surprise, Gopal’s health steadies and he becomes hale and hearty! In this simple tale, R.K. Narayan plays between the virtues of honesty against dishonesty, and end up showing the strength of a determined spirit and that dishonesty works too when the intension are good.
If you asked Ranga how long he’d been sharpening knives and other things, he’d reply” ever since a time of moustache began to appear here” drawing a finger over his lip. For there were no calendars, watches, almanacs or even mirrors in his world. His mission was getting people to see the importance of keeping their edges sharp. He even guaranteed his work for sixty days to keep ahead of his sole competitor. No one knew Ranga’s secret dream to protect his little daughter in the village from his quarrelsome wife, and make her a lady doctor. So he came to the village every other month, enduring the torture of his wife’s barbs only to enjoy watching his daughter dress up in her green skirt and yellow jacket to go to the Mission school. After one of his visits, when Ranga get a lift in a car, he wished his wife could see him and realize how people respect him. The message TWO WILL DO painted on the car doesn’t have any significance for him till much later. Ranga is one of R.K. Narayan’s most successful characterizations, making you smile, chuckle, worry and fear with him.
Govind Singh, the gateman carries around a registered postal envelope asking everyone what’s inside, but recoiling at the suggestion of opening it to find out. No wonder everyone, including himself entertains doubts about his sanity. The background of his strange behavior takes us the time when Govind Singh, fiercely proud of his khaki uniform, and his short stick, stood to attention, and gave a military salute to the chief every morning. After his retirement he tries to express his gratitude by presenting the chief with one of the clay – models he makes so well. What happens next highlights the plight of simple, uneducated folk that inhabit our towns and villages. R.K. Narayan at his empathetic best.
Gopinath is the village miser who cares more about money than his own family. He never spends a rupee when he doesn’t have to. One day in an indulgent mood he decides to take his grandson to see a movie and won’t spend money on sweets, telling the boy they are not good for him. While Gopinath finds the movie entertaining, the boy is bored and finally sneaks out of the theater and sets off to meet his friends to play cricket. Gopinath eventually realizes the boy is missing and goes in search of him. Suddenly his money is of no benefit, as he searches fruitlessly for the boy. He buys a packet of sweets for the boy, and even pays homage to the gods, promising to offer a whole coconut if the boy is found. When darkness falls, he makes his way back to his daughter’s house, and struggles to find the words to explain the situation to her.
Thanappa is more than just a postman to the Ramanujam family. He shares their good news and also wallows in their sorrow as well. Thanappa is instrumental in bringing about their daughter’s engagement — the one whose birth he had brought news of almost seventeen years ago. Thanappa finds himself in a tricky situation, when a day before the happy occasion of her marriage, a letter arrives bearing news of Ramanujam’s elder brother’s illness and a telegram follows with the news about his passing away. Thanappa is in a dilemma whether he should risk by telling the family on this happy day or postpone the delivery and risk getting sacked for his efforts, thus bringing to light the problems of arranged marriages in a middle class family.
The Gold Belt is a story, which revolves around the evil system of dowry. After years of searching, Sambasivan finds a groom for his daughter who is right in all aspects. Moreover their horoscopes are a perfect match too. The wedding is fixed and grand celebration takes place and people are busy making last minute preparations. Everything seems to be going fine, and the auspicious moment nears, but there is no sign of the groom or his parents. A worried Sambasivan goes to invite them, but something terrible awaits him. The groom’s relatives refuse to attend the wedding unless a gold belt is also given to the bride as part of the wedding dowry. Sambasivan who has already spent all his life savings and has even taken a loan for the wedding is heartbroken. Sastri, a close friend of Sambasivan, comes to the rescue and rushes out to buy a gold belt. The wedding goes off smoothly and the groom’s family leaves along with the bride. Now Sambasivan is worried about how to pay for the gold belt. But good news awaits him. Sambasivan’s daughter proves to be smart: she has made her new husband agree to pay for the gold belt without the knowledge of his parents. They all conclude that they really have a smart daughter and they are happy!
In the courtyard of a 100 year old building live Malgudi’s odd trio-Pachai the blind beggar (whose eyesight is as sharp as a razor), Kuppan the rickshaw cyclist and Kali the coolie. His one weakness is children. And the school opposite is his haven He never mingles with the kids- always keeping distance from them. And so the three eke out a living from day to day till the child-lover gets an opportunity to earn some big money at the local ration store. Feigning illness to his friend, he summons up the courage to buy sweets for the children. At school – break, he approaches them. Being children, they cannot refuse his tempting offer and soon there is commotion all over the place. Some passers – by mistake him for a kidnapper and within no time, rumors about him are rife. A large crowd chases him till he finds refuge in a stranger’s house. An exhausted Kali tries to escape, but of no avail. The police arrive and apprehend him. Kali has got himself landed in hospital, shorn and shaven. His friend on a consolation visit, suggest he can go back to his old ways as no one will recognize the new, hairless Kali.
This story introduces the talkative man. He joins his friends at the town square and begins to talk about the local driver Daas. While everyone seems to agree that Daas is certainly a wonderful driver and handyman, the talkative man insists that despite this he has a tale which will show good old Daas in a bizarre light. To prove his point he begins narrating a story of when he used to work in Kumbum – a town near Malgudi. On his way back from there he says he had used Daas as the driver. He was fast asleep when Daas swerved through a mud path and almost rammed the car near an old and abandoned temple. On waking up and inquiring about the incident Daas started telling the talkative man about how he was trying to avoid hitting the old man. On looking around the talkative man found no one in sight. Just as they were about to leave the place a relatively young Daas undergoes a weird transformation. He starts to talk and walk about like an old man who he claims was the builder of the temple they are at. He even starts to call himself Krishna Battar. This scares the talkative man a little but he keeps his wits about him. He continues to humor Daas (now in the old man’s personality) and extracts information on how he died 500 years ago while crossing across the forest one night.
Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian principle and taking part in Freedom struggle movement. His belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats of life, is totally disapproved by his own son who not only discontinues his education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns back home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friends Narasimha’s life. Jagan develops an affection for his daughter – in – law though she is an American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife deserves. In earlier days Jagan looses his wife because of his involvement in freedom struggle movement and not being able to spend the much needed time with his wife which has caused a repulsion in the attitude of Mali against his father. Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know – how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.
agan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian principle and taking part in Freedom struggle movement. His belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats of life, is totally disapproved by his own son who not only discontinues his education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns back home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friends Narasimha’s life. Jagan develops an affection for his daughter — in — law though she is an American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife deserves. In earlier days Jagan looses his wife because of his involvement in freedom struggle movement and not being able to spend the much needed time with his wife which has caused a repulsion in the attitude of Mali against his father. Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know — how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.
Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian principle and taking part in Freedom struggle movement. His belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats of life, is totally disapproved by his own son who not only discontinues his education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns back home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friends Narasimha’s life. Jagan develops an affection for his daughter – in – law though she is an American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife deserves. In earlier days Jagan looses his wife because of his involvement in freedom struggle movement and not being able to spend the much needed time with his wife which has caused a repulsion in the attitude of Mali against his father. Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know – how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.
Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian principle and taking part in Freedom struggle movement. His belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats of life, is totally disapproved by his own son who not only discontinues his education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns back home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friends Narasimha’s life. Jagan develops an affection for his daughter — in — law though she is an American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife deserves. In earlier days Jagan looses his wife because of his involvement in freedom struggle movement and not being able to spend the much needed time with his wife which has caused a repulsion in the attitude of Mali against his father. Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know — how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.