Tribute to R.K.Narayan

Kishore C.S. (June 2001)

During May 2001 the Great Indian Author: R.K.Narayan breathed his last. Being an ardent fan of his works, I felt I should share a few words on him with you. He was on top of my Top 10 Authors list

When I started reading fiction I started RK Narayan books. I found his books very simple to read and understand. I enjoyed reading his simple but profound novels. I read most of his novels before I moved to books by other authors. I used to visit our Local Library and hunt for his books and read them. 

After completing the novels, I continued to read his stories and running parts of his novel in 'Frontline' magazine. When tele serial 'Swami and Friends' and Malgudi Days appears everyone knew him and am sure everyone enjoyed the stories as I did.

His stories contained down to earth themes, with characters that we will see everyday. I also first believed that Malgudi is a town that existed, till I came to more about fictional Malgudi with the fictional map in one of the novels.

When I moved to Chennai and spent a few years, I always had an idea that I should go and visit my favorite author. But that never happened. Reading the tribute certainly makes me understand his personality to a greater sense and anytime I would love to read his works again and am sure will enjoy them with the same way I did when I read them first time.

My favorite book by R.K.Narayan is "The financial expert". This was a story which I liked a lot. It is about a person who is very careful in spending money and is also a lender. I don’t remember the story in detail now but the theme of the story impressed me. I liked almost all his short stories. I enjoyed reading his essays in "Reluctant Guru" and his experiences in his dairy "My Days". He narrated his proud as well as embarassing moments very frankly and reading his works was a refreshing experience.

The following link is appropriate in giving a right tribute to this great personality of Indian English Authors.

N. Ram remembers R.K.Narayan

http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/may/15spec.htm