R. K. Narayan

R. K. Narayan Biography

R. K. Narayan was a noted Indian writer known for the book, Malgudi days published in 1942. It was later adapted as a popular television series in Doordarshan during late 1980’s. Her second noted work is Sahitya Akademi Award winner ‘The Guide’ (1958) which became a milestone movie on Indian screen, Guide starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rahman and was released in English version as well. He is one of three leading figures of early Indian literature in English alongside Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao and played a significant contribution to world literature.

R. K was born on 10 October 1906 in Chennai. His full name is Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami. His father was a school headmaster and R. K studied in the same school. His youngest brother R. K. Laxman is a noted cartoonist and humorist. Due to frequent transfers of his father later, he stayed with his grandmother where he had a peacock and a mischievous monkey as his playmates. Grandmother called him Kunjappa and taught him Sanskrit, classical music and arithmetic as well. He was a good reader from younger age. After schooling at different schools, he became graduate from Maharaja College of Mysore. Though he had a brief career as teacher, he very soon recognized that his field is writing. In 1930, Narayan wrote his first novel, Swami and Friends. His first published work was a book review of Development of Maritime Laws of 17th-Century England.

His first novel was rejected by a string of publishers and with this book, Narayan created Malgudi. Malgudi days is regarded as one among the best books of Narayan. Other noted works include - The Bachelor of Arts (1937), The Dark Room (1938), The English Teacher (1945), Mr. Sampath and many more. His simple writing style with a natural element of humour won him the readers’ hearts.

Published: N/A

Updated: March 17, 2014