R. K. Narayan

1
R. K. Narayan
Author of Like The Sun
"I'd be quite happy if no more is claimed from me
than being just a story-teller.  Only the story
matters, that is all.   If readers read more
significance into my stories  than was meant
originally, then that's  the reader's 
understanding of things.   But if a story is in
tune completely with the truth of life, truth as
I perceive it, then it will be automatically
significant."

• Who Is He?
• Why Read His Works?

2
Narayans full name

• Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanswami

Narayan was born in Madras, India 1906
He died in 2001 at age 94
3
MALGUDI

• During his life, Narayan wrote fourteen novels,
  numerous essays and many short stories.
• Most of the fiction he wrote revolved around the
  Indian town of Malgudione created in the
  authors mind.
• It is this town that put modern Indian writing
  on the map (Mason, 1).

4
Life as R.K. Narayan
Rasipurams family was Brahmin. This is
considered the highest of the Hindu castes, in
which most of its people become priests or
scholars. Narayans family (he was one of
eight children) was split thanks to his fathers
job. Little Rasipuram was left in the care of his
grandmother, who lived in Madras, for over ten
years
In his memoir, My Days (1974), Narayan
recalls, All day long, I sat half buried in sand
piled in a corner of our garden, raising castles
and mountain-ranges, unaware of the fierce Madras
sun overhead. I had a peacock and a monkey for
company (Mason 1).
5
He Hated School!

• When he saw his first school, it was a
  gaunt-looking building with a crucifix on its
  roof, and I hated it at first sight. Attendance
  did not amend the impression
• Ours was a Lutheran Mission Schoolmostly for
  boarders who were Christian converts. The
  teachers were all converts, and, towards the few
  non-Christian students like me, they displayed a
  lot of hatred. Most of the Christian students
  also detested us.

Then came high school.
6
Narayan Failed His University Entrance Exam

• He endured high school, where his father was head
  master, and recalled working without conviction,
  enthusiasm, or any sort of distinction.
• Then he failed the University exams English
  portion.retook it and failed it again the next
  yearunable to pass the Tamil section, his native
  language!
• (Mason,1)

7
Narayans Work

• After high school and University, Narayan began
  writing his fiction. However, it did not
  sellIndian authors were not popular.

Narayan took a manuscript to Graham Greene, then
a popular English author, who immediately sent
it to his publisher. From there, Narayan began
his official career as a writer. (Mason,1)
8
Storyteller, Artist

• His characters are easily identifiable and often
  based on real people
• His stories incorporate Hindu mythology, the
  teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita, especially its
  austere religious practices and beliefs.
• It is in this context that Narayan's skilful use
  of myth makes reality more easily
  comprehensible.
• (Rao V., 2003)

9
Works Cited

• Mason, Wyatt. The Master of Malgudi The Fiction
  of R.K. Narayan. The New Yorker Critics Books.
  11 December 2006. The New Yorker. 6 March 2007
  lthttp//www.newyorker.com/critics/books/
• articles/061218crbo_booksgt.
• Rao, Jaya. Myth, Reality, and Characterization
  in the Fiction of R.K. Narayan. The Literature
  and Culture of the Indian Subcontinent (South
  Asia). 12 January 2003. Postcolonial Web. 6 March
  2007 lthttp//www.postcolonialweb.org/india/litera
  ture/rao2.htmlgt.
• Wands, D.C. R.K. Narayan. Fantastic Fiction
  Authors. 27 February 2007. Fantastic Fiction. 6
  March 2007. lthttp//www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/n/
  r-k-narayan/ gt.
• 8th World Tour. World Spiritual Foundation.
  2001. Earth Portals. 6 March 2007
  lthttp//www.earthportals.com/Portal_Messenger/iti
  nerary.html gt.
• R.K. Narayan. R.K. Narayan. 2002? Fu Jen
  University. 6 March 2007 lthttp//www.eng.fju.edu.
  tw/worldlit/india/narayan.htmlGeneral gt.

Created by A. Dickens, Phoenix Academy 2007