The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Fans assemble to celebrate the creator of <I>Malgudi Days </I>

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Monday, Nov 06, 2006
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Fans assemble to celebrate the creator of Malgudi Days

Ramya Kannan

"First Indian Journalisst in India to smake a living out of writing in English" Excerpts fromMy Dayswere read out to illustrate the author's humour, progress of his life

CHENNAI: R.K. Narayan's fans are an obdurate lot. Much as they figured that the author might have disapproved of the energy or sentimentality with which his centenary was being celebrated, they did not let this knowledge keep them from celebrating his work, again and again.

On a gloomy Saturday evening, in the brief hiatus when the rain clouds held back, fans assembled at the new Crossword bookstore in T. Nagarto discuss their favourite author from the point of view of his autobiography, My Days.

The centenary edition of the book, originally printed in 1974, was reprinted and launched by Indian Thought Publications, headed by his grand daughter `Minnie' (Bhuvaneshwari Srinivasamurthy).

Close friend of Narayan and Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu , N. Ram, highlighted the traits of the author's writing that endeared him to masters of literature all over the world — "lovely, grave, comedy-laden." Though his style seemed deceptively simple, "there was considerable art behind that superficial artlessness," Mr. Ram delineated.

Special ability

While commending his capacity for economy of writing and his ability to make omission, he added that the author was also known for his special ability to make the rhythms and intricacies of South Indian life accessible to all cultures.

Memorable characters

He also believed in remaining faithful to his creation Malgudi throughout his life, never straying out of the boundaries of the fictional town. He breathed life into his memorable characters. "The remarkable thing about this long-lived author was that once he discovered his place and his fictional town, he stayed with it for life," Mr. Ram said.

At the same time, Narayan, one of the greatest writers of the 20th century, managed to incorporate historical facts into accounts that were mainly reminiscences of the past. Mr. Ram also recounted the author's close ties with The Hindu Group of Publications, lauding him as the first Indian Journalist in India to make a living out of writing in English. And testimony to his enduring appeal was the fact that his books continue to sell throughout the year in bookstores across the country.

An appreciative audience lapped up anecdotes from the author's life, colourfully recounted by Mr. Ram and sourced from his personal interactions with him.

S. Ramachander, senior management consultant, read out skilfully chosen parts from My Days to illustrate not only the humour, but also the progress of his life.

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