PROFILE:
* NAME: R.K. Narayan * OCCUPATION: Journalist, Author * BIRTH DATE: October 10, 1906 * DEATH DATE: May 13, 2001 * EDUCATION: Maharaja College of Mysore * PLACE OF BIRTH: Chennai, India * PLACE OF DEATH: Chennai, India * ORIGINALLY: Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami Indian author R.K. Narayan is widely considered to be one of India's greatest English language novelists known for his simple and unpretentious writing style, often compared to William Faulkner. Narayan has been nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature multiple times but has not yet won the honor. His popular works include The English Teacher, The Financial Expert and Waiting for the Mahatma.
R. K. Narayan (10 October 1906 – 13 May 2001), full name Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayanaswami, was an Indian writer, best known for his works set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. He is one of three leading figures of early Indian literature in English (alongside Mulk Raj Anand and Raja Rao), and is credited with bringing the genre to the rest of the world
Narayan broke through with the help of his mentor and friend, Graham Greene, who was instrumental in getting publishers for Narayan’s first four books, including the semi-autobiographical trilogy of Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts and The English Teacher. Narayan’s works also include The Financial Expert, hailed as one of the most original works of 1951, and Sahitya Akademi Award winner The Guide, which was adapted for film and for Broadway.
The setting for most of Narayan's stories is the fictional town of Malgudi, first introduced inSwami and Friends. His narratives highlight social context and provide a feel for his characters through everyday life. He has been compared to William Faulkner, who also created a fictional town that stood for reality, brought out the humour and energy of ordinary life, and