RK Narayan was a famous Indian writer globally known for his fictional writings of Malgudi. He was born on the 10th of October,1906. In his long career, he published fourteen novels, over two hundred short stories, a memoir, two travel books, several essays, and two plays. He was among the first few Indians who started writing Indian literature in English.
He was awarded the AC Benson medal from the Royal Society of Literature, the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Vibhusan, third and second of India’s highest civilian awards. Swami and Friends, The Guide, and The Vendor of Sweets are some of his most famous books.
In this article, we will look into the biography of RK Narayan. Let’s explore.
Table of Content
RK Narayan Life Overview
|
Full Name |
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami |
|---|---|
|
Date of Birth |
October 10, 1906 |
|
Place of Birth |
Madras, British India (now Chennai, India) |
|
Education |
B.A. degree from Maharaja’s College, Mysore (now University of Mysore) |
|
Career |
Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist |
|
Awards |
Sahitya Akademi Award (1958), Padma Bhushan (1964), Padma Vibhushan (1980), and many more. |
|
Famous Books |
Swami and Friends (1935), The English Teacher (1945), Waiting for the Mahatma (1955), The Guide (1958), The Vendor of Sweets (1967), Malgudi Days (short stories, 1943), An Astrologer’s Day and Other Stories (short stories, 1947) |
|
Died on |
May 13, 2001 |
|
Death cause |
Cardiovascular problems |
RK Narayan – Birth, Early Life, Education
RK Narayan was born on the Tamil 10th of October 1906 in a Tamil Brahmin family in his grandfather’s home in Madras (Now Chennai) during British Rule in India. His father is R.K. Krishnaswami Iyer who was the school headmaster and his mother Gyanambal was a simple housewife. He spent his early years of life with his grandparents in Madras and he was very much inspired by his grandmother’s storytelling.
Every new day his grandmother tells him a new fictional story. He was one of the eight children and second among six sons, with two daughters in the family. He has spent a significant part of his childhood under the care of his maternal grandmother, who instilled in him a love for storytelling and traditional Hindu values. He moved to Mysore to live with his family when his father was transferred to Maharajah’s College High School.
He gained his higher education from the Maharaja’s College High School in Mysore. He faced a setback by failing the university entrance exam in 1925. When he failed an exam then he took a break from college during that time he developed a strong passion for reading, devouring works by renowned authors like Dickens, Wodehouse, Conan Doyle, and Hardy. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 1930, taking a year longer than usual.
RK Narayan Career
He started his career in the 1930s after finishing his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from the Maharaja’s College, Mysore. He was passionate about writing fiction, Narayan’s first published work in the 1930s was a book review. It focused on the development of maritime laws in 17th-century England, showcasing his diverse interests.
- He then turned to short story writing, contributing to a local newspaper, “The Justice,” in Madras. This period allowed him to hone his writing skills and gain experience in storytelling.
- While writing short stories, Narayan also dedicated himself to his first novel, “Swami and Friends”, completing it in 1930. He faced numerous rejections from publishers initially to publish his first Novel.
- Despite the initial setbacks with his novel, Narayan remained determined. He continued writing short stories and published a collection titled “Malgudi Days” in 1943. This book marked a turning point in his career and from that he became recognised as a novelist.
Establishing His Literary (1940s onwards)
- “The English Teacher” (1945): The success of “Malgudi Days” opened doors for Narayan’s debut novel, “The English Teacher,” in 1945. This established him as a prominent literary figure and solidified his association with the fictional town of Malgudi, the setting for many of his future works.
RK Narayan Literary Career
- Novels: He authored numerous critically acclaimed novels, including “The Guide” (1958) and “The Vendor of Sweets” (1967), further solidifying his position as a major literary figure.
- Short Stories: He didn’t limit himself only to novels but continued writing short stories, publishing diverse collections throughout his career.
- Publishing House: In 1941, Narayan established his own publishing house, “Indian Thought Publications”, contributing to the literary landscape beyond his writing.
List of RK Narayan’s Most Famous Books
|
Title |
Year |
Genre |
|---|---|---|
|
Swami and Friends |
1935 |
Novel |
|
The Guide |
1958 |
Novel |
|
The Vendor of Sweets |
1967 |
Novel |
|
Malgudi Days |
1943 |
Short Story Collection |
|
The English Teacher |
1945 |
Novel |
|
Waiting for the Mahatma |
1955 |
Novel |
|
An Astrologer’s Day and Other Stories |
1947 |
Short Story Collection |
|
The Financial Expert |
1952 |
Novel |
|
The Man-Eater of Malgudi |
1961 |
Novel |
|
A Tiger for Malgudi |
1983 |
Novel |
|
Lawley Road |
1956 |
Short Story Collection |
|
The Bachelor of Arts |
1937 |
Novel |
|
Mr. Sampath |
1940 |
Novel |
|
My Dateless Diary |
1960 |
Essays |
|
A Horse and Two Goats |
1970 |
Short Story Collection |
RK Narayan Achievements
The key Achievements throughout RK Narayan’s life are as follows :
Created Malgudi: He established the fictional town of Malgudi as a literary landmark, a setting for many of his stories that resonated with readers due to its universal themes and relatable characters.
- RK Narayan’s writing played a significant role in introducing Indian culture, experiences, and emotions to a wider international audience.
- He was recognized for his masterful storytelling abilities, weaving narratives that were both captivating and insightful.
Literary Recognition Achievements – Awards
- Sahitya Akademi Award (1958): India’s highest literary honour for his novel “The Guide.”
- Padma Bhushan (1964): Prestigious civilian award by the Indian government.One of India’s third-highest civilian awards.
- Padma Vibhushan (1980): One of India’s second-highest civilian awards.
- AC Benson Medal (1980): Awarded by the Royal Society of Literature, reflecting his international recognition.
- Nominations and Recognition: He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature on multiple occasions and received numerous other awards and accolades throughout his career.
Some Key Achievements of RK Narayan
- He founded “Indian Thought Publications” in 1941 and Contributed to the literary landscape beyond his writing by establishing a publishing house.
- He Authored “Reluctant Guru ” in 1975 a non-fiction book showcasing his observations and reflections on life.
- Several of his works, including “The Guide” and “Waiting for the Mahatma,” were adapted into successful films, further extending his reach to a wider audience.
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FAQs on RK Narayan
What is the short biography of RK Narayan?
RK Narayan was born on 10 October 1906 and passed away in 2001. In his long career he published fourteen novels, over two hundred short stories, a memoir, two travel books, innumerable essays, and two plays. His first novel was Swami and Friends (1935).
Who was the famous character created by RK Narayan?
The character “Swami and friends ” created by R K Narayan that lived in the city of Malgudi. Swami and Friends is a novel that was published in the year 1935. The book was originally published in the English language.
What are the achievements of RK Narayan?
Having a successful career of almost sixty years got R.K. a series of awards and honours including the AC Benson medal from the Royal Society of Literature , the Padma Bhusan and the Padma Vibhusan , third and second of India’s highest civilian awards.
What is special about RK Narayan?
Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, popularly known as R.K. Narayan, was an Indian writer globally known for his fictional writings of Malgudi. Also, R.K. Narayan was amongst the first few Indians who started writing Indian literature in English.
Which is RK Narayan’s first novel?
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.