RK Narayan: Biography, Books, Awards & Works

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RK Narayan Biography: Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, popularly known as RK Narayan (1906 – 2001), was a celebrated Indian novelist and writer, who was best known for his works set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. In his career, he published nearly over two hundred short stories, fourteen novels, a memoir, two plays, two travel books and many essays.  He was awarded Padma Bhushan as well as Padma Vibhusan for his extraordinary work in the field of literature. Scroll down to read further about the author RK Narayan’s life and celebrated literary works. 

RK Narayan Biography

First and foremost, let us take a look at the biography of author RK Narayan tabulated below: 

Full NameRasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami
Birth DateOctober 10, 1906
Birth PlaceMadras (Chennai), British India
Notable WorksSwami and Friends, The Guide, Malgudi Days
CareerWriter, Short Story, Novelist and Essayist
AwardsPadma Bhushan (1964), Padma Vibhushan (2000)
OccupationNovelist, Short Story Writer
DeathMay 13, 2001, due to Cardiovascular problems

Source: Tribune India

Who is RK Narayan: Birth, Early Life, and Education  

RK Narayan was born on 10th October 1906, in Madras (at present Chennai), Tamil Nadu during British rule in India. 

  • His father, R.K. Krishnaswami Iyer, was a school headmaster, and his mother, Gyanambal, was a homemaker.
  • He was one of eight children among six sons and spent his early years in the care of his grandmother and maternal uncle.
  • Narayan was inspired by his grandmother for his love for storytelling.

Education

Narayan attended many schools in Madras from Lutheran Mission School in Purasawalkam, C.R.C. High School, and Christian College High School. 

  • He was an avid reader, enjoying works by Dickens, Wodehouse, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Thomas Hardy.
  • Despite failing his university entrance exam initially, he spent a year at home reading and writing, eventually passing the exam in 1926. 
  • He later attended Maharaja College in Mysore, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1930.
  • RK Narayan got married to Rajam in the year 1933.

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Famous RK Narayan Works

He started his writing career after graduating in the 1930s with a degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A Degree).  His first published work was a book review on maritime laws in 17th-century England. He then started writing short stories for a local newspaper, “The Justice,” in Madras, honing his storytelling skills.

Breakthrough and Famous Works

Swami and Friend: Narayan’s first novel, “Swami and Friends,” was completed in 1930 but faced numerous rejections from publishers. The story revolves around a boy named Swaminathan and his very interesting and entertaining school life events.

Did you know that many of R.K. Narayan’s works were based on the fictional village ‘Malgudi’ created by him? 

Malgudi Day: His short story collection, “Malgudi Days,” published in 1943, marked a turning point in his career, establishing him as a notable writer. His first novel ‘Swami and Friends’ describes the amusing activities of a schoolboy named Swaminathan and his gang and the daily life of the local people living there. This was later made into a serial named ‘Malgudi Days‘ and this serial was telecast on ‘ DD National’. It was a popular television show which was loved by the people. The stories of Malgudi Days were so vivid that people felt connected to their own lives. 

R.K. Laxman was compared to the famous American writer and Nobel Prize winner William Faulkner’. William Faulkner had also created a fictional village in which Faulkner had described the small activities of real life. 

The famous books by RK Narayan you might have come across or should definitely read once are: 

TitleYearGenre
Swami and Friends1935Novel
The Guide1958Novel
The Vendor of Sweets1967Novel
Malgudi Days1943Short Story Collection
The English Teacher1945Novel
Waiting for the Mahatma1955Novel
An Astrologer’s Day and Other Stories1947Short Story Collection
The Financial Expert1952Novel
The Man-Eater of Malgudi1961Novel
A Tiger for Malgudi1983Novel
Lawley Road1956Short Story Collection
The Bachelor of Arts1937Novel
Mr. Sampath1940Novel
My Dateless Diary1960Essays
A Horse and Two Goats1970Short Story Collection

Narayan’s novel “The Guide” (1958) won the National Prize of the Indian Literary Academy, the highest honour in Indian literature. His works, including “The English Teacher” (1945) and “The Vendor of Sweets” (1967), further solidified his reputation as a major literary personality.

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Some important essays written by R.K. Narayan 

  • Next Sunday
  • The Reluctant Guru
  • A Writer’s Nightmare
  • The Story-Tellers’s World

Other works by R.K. Narayan 

  • My Dateless Diary
  • The Emerald Route
  • Gods, Demons and Others 
  • The Mahabharata 
Credits: Amazon

RK Narayan Achievements

The RK Narayan biography also covers the achievements seen in the Awards and honours won by RK Narayan. Some of them are – 

AwardYearWork/Reason
Sahitya Akademi Award1958For his novel “The Guide.”
Padma Bhushan1964India’s third-highest civilian award.
Padma Vibhushan2000India’s second-highest civilian award.
AC Benson Medal1980Royal Society of Literature recognition
Google Doodle tribute to RK Narayan| Source: Gadgets 360

Additional Honors

  • Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (1994): Highest honour of India’s National Academy of Letters.
  • Rajya Sabha Nomination: Recognised for his contributions to literature.

Key Achievements

  • Created Malgudi: Narayan established the fictional town of Malgudi, a setting for many of his stories that resonated with readers.
  • International Recognition: His writing introduced Indian culture and experiences to a global audience.
  • Storytelling Mastery: Known for his captivating and insightful narratives.
  • Publishing House: Founded Indian Thought Publications in 1941, promoting Indian literature.

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Adaptations

Several of Narayan’s works, including “The Guide” and “Waiting for the Mahatma,” were adapted into successful films, expanding his reach to a wider audience.

RK Narayan continued writing until his later years, his unique storytelling, relatable characters, and depiction of Indian life have made him an immortal figure in the literary world. He passed away on May 13, 2001, at the age of 94, due to cardiovascular issues, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire readers and writers worldwide. 

FAQs

What is R. K. Narayan famous for?

R. K. Narayan was a famous Indian author famous for his novels, especially those set in the imaginary town of Malgudi in South India. He was one of the most important writers in early Indian English literature.

What is the writing style of R. K. Narayan?

His style is relatable and graceful, marked by genial humour, simplicity and a detailed scenario description.

What awards did R. K. Narayan win?

Narayan was awarded many prestigious honours, such as the AC Benson Medal from the Royal Society of Literature, India’s second and third highest civilian awards in 1963, and 1994’s Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, the highest award from India’s National Academy of Letters.

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This was all about RK Narayan’s biography. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities then visit our General Knowledge page! 

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