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Malgudi Days is a collection of 32 short stories set in the backdrop of the author's make-believe village Malgudi. This is the place where all of Narayan's characters were living their life in a friendly manner. The title of the book aptly depicts the meaning as the stories are all about the lifestyle in Malgudi. The different character, each having their personal life as well as village community really takes the reader to that scenario which is only possible by such great author like R. K. Narayan.
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| Malgudi Days |
The author R. K. Narayan is the best at his work. He created a lot of stories in a very lucid and transparent manner. Among which the Malgudi Days is the most famous collection. He began his career by writing short stories, which were appeared mostly in The Hindu newspaper and also worked for some time as the Mysore correspondent for Justice, which was a Madras-based newspaper. His first work 'Swami and Friends' was delayed for lack of publishing support. Graham Greene, through his mutual friend, was so much moved by Narayan's new work and he supported it for publishing through monitory support as well as other guidance. After this novel, a stream of novels based on Malgudi flourished one after another. In 1980, R. K. Narayan was awarded the A. C. Benson award by the Royal Society of Literature and was made an Honorary Member of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. In 1989 he was made a member of the Raiva Sabha (the non-elective House of Parliament in India). He received the Sahitya Akademi Award for The Guide in 1958.
'Malgudi Days' is a collection of 32 short stories that comprises three stories. 'Swami and Friends' is a story that will be loved by almost everyone. This book basically goes into the details of swami's childhood and his friendship with Rajam and Mani. These three were inseparable. This was created in the pre-independence era and it's really funny as well as touchy to see swami and his classmate's reactions to a riot, which takes place outside his school, protesting about the British raj. But most of the ambiance that Narayan creates is so fluid and perfect, that anyone can be swept away without having any knowledge of it. Then comes 'The Bachelor of Arts'. This is about Chandran who is confused about as to what is his true purpose in life. We are swept along with him on his journeys of self-revelation with captivation. It's realy amazing how the human mind can absorb emotions and translate them into something else. The whole story is about Chandran finding out whether he is in love with the lady whom he professes to love or not. The third story is really fascinating. It's about Jagan and his son Mali. It shows the struggle between the generations, i.e. the generation gap that exists between parents and children. All these stories are really enchanting and leave the reader in a good mood after finishing the book.
This collection of 32 short stories being published by Bt. Bound, William Heinemann, Viking Press, Penguin Classics Unruly signifies the lifestyle of the people of Malgudi. 'Malgudi Days' later collection was published on 1975. And it draws from two earlier collections and includes some New Stories. They are really short and sometimes are just three pages. They are very crisply plotted. Some of the better stories seem almost like textbook examples of how to write a memorable short story in five hundred words or less. There is a kind of elemental pleasure in reading these stories in close succession, and watching Narayan people his world with tragic shopkeepers, ethical pickpockets, mean beggars, storytellers, anxious college students, and of course, The Talkative Man. For Narayan, storytelling is deeply concerned with establishing a sense of community, of people completely involved in each other.
Here are the list of 32 short stories in R.K. Narayan's Malgudi Days:
Swami and Friends
Swami, a mischievous schoolboy, navigates childhood adventures and friendships in this heartwarming tale.
The Vendor of Sweets
A father struggles to connect with his modernizing son, highlighting the generational gap and the power of tradition.
The Gold Necklace
A hapless husband's attempts to surprise his wife with a gift go awry, showcasing the humor in everyday life.
The Blind Dog
A heartwarming tale of a blind dog's loyalty and love, highlighting the deep bond between humans and animals.
The Temple Tower
A young boy's fascination with the Temple Tower leads to a surprising discovery, exploring themes of curiosity and growth.
The Tiger in the Tunnel
A thrilling tale of a tiger's unexpected appearance in a tunnel, showcasing bravery and quick thinking.
The Eckhart Series
A humorous story about a man's obsession with a book series, highlighting the quirks of human behavior.
The Roman Image
A thought-provoking tale of a man's fascination with a Roman coin, exploring themes of history and connection.
The Suppliant
A poignant story of a man's desperate plea to a wealthy neighbor, highlighting social class disparities.
The Obstinate Uncle
A humorous tale of an uncle's stubbornness, showcasing the challenges of family relationships.
The Happy Bachelor
A lighthearted story of a carefree bachelor's adventures, highlighting the joys of independence.
The Mischief of Maami
A playful tale of a mischievous grandmother's antics, showcasing the importance of family and tradition.
The Watchman
A suspenseful story of a watchman's vigilance, highlighting the importance of duty and responsibility.
The Green Blade
A poignant tale of a young boy's fascination with a growing blade of grass, exploring themes of hope and renewal.
The Cardboard Lover
A humorous story of a man's unusual relationship with a cardboard box, highlighting the quirks of human behavior.
The Canary's Song
A heartwarming tale of a canary's beautiful singing, showcasing the power of music and joy.
The Axe
A thought-provoking story of a man's attachment to an axe, exploring themes of possession and letting go.
The Antwerp Diamond
A thrilling tale of a valuable diamond's unexpected appearance, highlighting the complexities of human nature.
The Cow and the Rickshaw
A humorous story of a cow's unexpected ride in a rickshaw, showcasing the absurdities of everyday life.
The Lady and the Lamp
A poignant tale of a woman's attachment to a lamp, exploring themes of loss and memory.
The Lap of the Gods
A thought-provoking story of a man's search for spiritual enlightenment, highlighting the complexities of faith.
The Doctor's Word
A humorous tale of a doctor's unconventional advice, showcasing the quirks of human behavior.
The Rhythm of the Road
A heartwarming story of a traveler's journey, highlighting the beauty of new experiences.
The Astrologer's Day
A suspenseful tale of an astrologer's predictions, exploring themes of fate and destiny.
The Missing Mail
A thrilling story of a missing letter's unexpected consequences, highlighting the power of communication.
The Snake Song
A poignant tale of a snake's mesmerizing song, showcasing the beauty of nature.
The Village Singer
A heartwarming story of a village singer's talent, highlighting the importance of community and tradition.
The Train Journey
A thought-provoking tale of a train journey's unexpected events, exploring themes of chance and connection.
The Father's Help
A poignant story of a father's support, highlighting the importance of family and guidance.
The Performing Child
A humorous tale of a child's unexpected talent, showcasing the joys of discovery and growth.
The Fulfilment
A heartwarming story of a man's search for fulfillment, highlighting the importance of purpose and meaning.
The Enduring Charm
A poignant tale of a couple's enduring love, showcasing the power of relationships and commitment.
Each story offers a unique glimpse into the lives of Malgudi's residents, exploring themes that are both universally relatable and quintessentially Indian.