The best of RK Narayan

RK Narayan, less commonly known as Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, is far and wide recognized as one of the greatest and most admired writers in Indian literature. He has made his trademark with his pithiness and elegance, which contributed a lot to the society while introducing this genre to the rest of the world.

While giving an ode to R. K. Narayan, one should remember that it will be only completed while mentioning his great literary work, The Malgudi Days , the streets and alleys in the book are as familiar to a Narayan fan as the secret passages of Hogwarts are to a Potterhead! If you recall his literary works, the backdrop of almost all of his works have been set as fictional town, which is believed to be anticipated on the length of the lines of Bangalore. Narayan was distinguished as one of the most intelligent authors of his age and even in this present era, people still looked up at his works with an impression of remarkable pieces. For example: His book, the Malgudi, has showcased a dynamic entity – the town we read of in his debut novel (1935) is conspicuously different from that in his last fictional work, The World of Nagaraj (1990).

This great Indian author passed away in 2001, at the great age of 94. As with all great artists, his inheritance lives on in his magnificently simple yet beautiful stories. We bring to you a rundown of Narayan’s top 3 works that cannot be missed, while reminiscing his works!

SWAMI AND FRIENDS

The author infuses a deceptively simple theme along with the everyday trials and tribulations of a young boy who attends the Albert Mission School in Malgudi. The writer shows his genius while managing to make this, a fairly straightforward story told from a 10-year-old’s point of view, into one of the most beloved and highly acclaimed stories of our time. The most fascinating part which attracts the readers while reading his works is the minute details and descriptions that will take you back to a different place and time.

THE ENGLISH TEACHER
This novel is perhaps the most tragic of all Narayan’s works and is also the most personal of his stories. He dedicated this book to his wife and the events that are infused in the book giving it an essence are actually Narayan’s own experiences of personal loss and survival. This one is also liked by me from the Narayan collection; it has a certain raw edge and beguiling honesty which differentiates it from most of his other polished, shaded literary works.

 
THE GUIDE

The most hyped book of Nrayan, The Guide, which was even adapted as a movie in the Bollywood, starring Dev Anand- Waheeda Rehman and received a tremendous  response! This is the story of a happy-go-lucky young man’s infatuation and overpowering obsession with a little-known dancer by the name of Rosie and how this obsession enables him to make her a national celebrity, Nalini. And what comes into his hands at the end? A life of solitude or can be called as a spiritual abandonment.

The above mentioned are my most favorite books from the collection of R.K Narayan and there are lots more book by the author at lelobooks, an online bookstore in India. To read the works of this great Indian author, just place your order and buy books online to get them at your doorstep.