Born:October10,1906

Died:May13,2001
Achievement: Felicitated with Sahitya Akademi Award and Padma Bhushan.

R.K. Narayan is one of the most famous and widely read ndian novelists. His stories
were grounded in a compassionate humanism and celebrated the humour and energy
of ordinary life.

R.K. Narayan was born on October 10, 1906 in Madras. His father was a provincial
head master. R.K. Narayan spent his early childhood with his maternal grandmother,
Parvathi in Madras and used to spend only a few weeks each summer visiting his
parents and siblings. R.K. Narayan studied for eight years at Lutheran Mission School
close to his grandmother's house in Madras, also for a short time at the CRC High
School. When his father was appointed headmaster of the Maharaja's High School in
Mysore, R.K. Narayan moved back in with his parents. He obtained his bachelor's
degree from the University of Mysore.

R.K. Narayan began his writing career with Swami and Friends in 1935. Most of his
work including Swami and friends is set in the fictional town of Malgudi which captures
everything ndian while having a unique identity of its own. R.K. Narayan's writing style
was marked by simplicity and subtle humour. He told stories of ordinary people trying to
live their simple lives in a changing world.

R.K. Narayan's famous works include The Bachelor of Arts (1937), The Dark Room
(1938), The English Teacher (1945), The Financial Expert (1952), The Guide (1958),
The Man-Eater of Malgudi (1961), The Vendor of Sweets (1967), Malgudi Days (1982),
and The Grandmother's Tale (1993).

R.K. Narayan won numerous awards and honors for his works. These include: Sahitya
Akademi Award for The Guide in 1958; Padma Bhushan in 1964; and AC Benson
Medal by the Royal Society of Literature in 1980; R.K. Narayan was elected an
honorary member of the American Academy and nstitute of Arts and Letters in 1982.
He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1989. Besides, he was also conferred
honorary doctorates by the University of Mysore, Delhi University and the University of
Leeds.
Plot introduction
Swami and Friends is the story of ten-year old Swaminathan,is a school going
boy full of innocence, wonder, and mischief, and his experiences growing up in
the fictional town of Malgudi. He is a student at the British-established Albert
Mission School, which stresses Christianity, English literature, and the value of
education.He belongs to a middle class south Indian family. Mani is his best
friend. He is a loafer and loves wandering and dislikes staying at home. He
loves pets. He is very innocent. Life changes dramatically for young Swami
when Rajam - a symbol of colonial power - joins the school, and becomes his
close friend.
GLOSSARY
WRamble: walk for pleasure, wander,
aimless walking
WVacation: holiday
WDispleasure: annoyance, unhappiness
WEncouragement: inspiration
WSpurred: inspired, encouraged
WBlew off: drove away with a breath
WWeb: net
WPile: heap
WBreach: not keep a promise
WPestered: Gave a trouble
WApparently: clearly, evidently
WVigorously: strongly, actively
WLook sharp: hurry up,
WBanged: hit violently
WPeevishly: with irritation
Wrrelevantly: aimlessly
WGlared at: looked in anger
WSarcasm: taunt, sharp remark
WProlonging: delaying, extending
Wn a flash: in a moment
WTilted: slanted, inclined to one end
WTipped over: scattered,
WGazed: looked steadily
WMaze: puzzle
WUnaccountable: mysterious
WSmothering: suppressing, hiding
WObscure: difficult to understand


Somu
Swaminathan
Mani
Samuel
Sankar
Rajam

My favorite incident of the book was when swaminathan got a new brother
and was explaining Samuel about the actions his brother did like shutting
the eyes, compressing the lips, folding his hands on the chest, protruding
his tongue etc. the most funniest was when swaminathan said that his face
was red as a chilly.
The character disliked the most was mani. He rarely brought books to
class and never bothered about homework. He bullied others and he never
respected his elders. But he loved babies!
The character liked most was swaminathan because he used to be
irresponsible but was always kind. He never said a 'no' to any of his friends
and loved his granny the most and respected everyone even if they were
elder or younger.