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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.
Table of Contents
RK Narayan Biography
First and foremost, let us take a look at the biography of author RK Narayan tabulated below:
| Full Name | Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami |
| Birth Date | October 10, 1906 |
| Birth Place | Madras (Chennai), British India |
| Notable Works | Swami and Friends, The Guide, Malgudi Days |
| Career | Writer, Short Story, Novelist and Essayist |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan (1964), Padma Vibhushan (2000) |
| Occupation | Novelist, Short Story Writer |
| Death | May 13, 2001, due to Cardiovascular problems |
Source: Tribune India
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.
15 Popular RK Narayan Books in English
The famous books by RK Narayan you might have come across or should definitely read once are:
| 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 |
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
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 –
| Award | Year | Work/Reason |
| Sahitya Akademi Award | 1958 | For his novel “The Guide.” |
| Padma Bhushan | 1964 | India’s third-highest civilian award. |
| Padma Vibhushan | 2000 | India’s second-highest civilian award. |
| AC Benson Medal | 1980 | Royal Society of Literature recognition |
Additional Honors
- Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (1994): Highest honour of India’s National Academy of Letters.
- Rajya Sabha Nomination: Recognized 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
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.
His style is relatable and graceful, marked by genial humour, simplicity and a detailed scenario description.
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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