Malgudi

Have you read Malgudi Days?

- May 5, 2020

Written by the legendary author R.K. Narayan, Malgudi Days is one book every Indian kid should read. Set in the fictional town of Malgudi, this book consists of 32 short stories that paint a beautiful picture of small town India in the ’60s and ’70s. 

Here are the top three reasons why Malgudi Days is a must-read for kids

  • THE WRITING STYLE: R.K. Narayan is known for his graceful and elegant writing style. His ability to juxtapose fiction with reality was truly commendable. He doesn’t indulge in unnecessary prose, and is able to paint vivid pictures with his words. The language he uses is simple and staright-forward, making it very accessible for kids.
  • THE PLOTLINES The set up of every story is so simple yet poignant that kids easily connect with it. Be it the story of the fake astrologer who manages to loot people by his wit, or the story of the blind man and his dog where money turns the blind man greedy, every story in the book has layers of moral and values hidden in it.
  • THE ILLUSTRATIONS: The book is solely illustrated by the legendary cartoonist, R.K Laxman, who also happens to be R.K. Narayan’s younger brother. The illustrations not only compliment the stories but also excites kids and keeps them engaged with the book for hours.
A quote from the book ‘Malgudi Days’. In one of the short stories, when the municipal authorities get orders to cut down Velan’s margosa tree, he rushes out and pleads to the authorities.

Published in 1943, Malgudi Days was first mentioned in R.K. Narayan’s Swami and Friends. The popularity of the book can be estimated from the fact that the book was adapted into a series by actor and director, Shankar Nag in 1986, and then a movie by his co-director Kavitha Lankesh in 2004.

To receive more such stories in your Inbox & WhatsApp, Please share your Email and Mobile number.

R.K. Narayan was awarded the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan for the indelible mark he left on Indian literature through his works.

To receive more such stories in your Inbox & WhatsApp, Please share your Email and Mobile number.

Related Articles

Women Dalit Writers of Modern India

By Jayshree Misra Tripathi Bama Bama Faustina Soosairaj was born on 14 March 1958, in the village of W. Puthupathy in Tamil Nadu. Her father was in the Indian Army and her mother worked as a coolie. It was her mother, Bama says, who brought her up as a sensitive human being. Bama’s childhood had […]

Must-Read Books about the Partition of India

By Meghana. L The 1947 partition of British India created two new countries: Pakistan and independent India. This event had severe consequences, culturally, socially, politically, as well as economically. It displaced about two crore people, of which around two to ten lakh people lost their lives. Several books have since been written that attempt to […]

Popular Mystery Writers of India

Authors like Sharadindu Bandopadhyay and Satyajit Ray created immortal detective characters like Byomkesh Bakshi and Feluda, who captured the attention of their readers for years. Here is the list of mystery writers who created some more memorable Indian fictional detectives and secured a unique place for themselves in the world of literature.    –By Srinidhi Murthy […]

Comic of The Month

The Sons of Rama

The story of Rama and Sita was first set down by the sage Valmiki in his epic poem 'Ramayana.' Rama was the eldest son of Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya, who had three wives - Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra. Rama was the son of Kaushalya, Bharata of Kaikeyi and Laxmana and Shatrughna of Sumitra. The four princes grew up to be brave and valiant. Rama won the hand of Sita, the daughter of King Janaka. Dasharatha wanted to crown Rama as the king but Kaikeyi objected. Using boons granted to her by Dasharatha earlier, she had Rama banished to the forest. Sita and Laxmana decided to follow Rama. While in the forest, a Rakshasi, Shoorpanakha, accosted Laxmana but had her nose cut off by him. In revenge, her brother Ravana, king of Lanka, carried Sita away. Rama and Laxmana set out to look for her and with the help of an army of monkeys, defeated Ravana. On returning Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile, Rama banished Sita because of the suspicions of his subjects. In the ashrama of sage Valmiki, she gave birth to her twin sons, Luv and Kush.

Read Now
20 Minute Read