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Unit 7: An Astrologer’s Day by R.K. Narayan

Introduction Notes

Indian author R.K. Narayan, full name Rasipuram Krishna swami Iyer Narayanaswami, is
widely known as one of India’s greatest English language novelists known for his unpretentious
and simple writing style, often compared to William Faulkner. Despite being nominated for the
Nobel Prize in Literature several times, Narayan did not win the honour ever. His popular
works include The Financial Expert, The English Teacher and Waiting for the Mahatma.
‘An Astrologer’s Day and other Stories’ are a collection of short stories written by R.K. Narayan.
‘An Astrologer’s Day’ is the first story from the collection. “An Astrologer’s Day” takes place in
a small place in India in 1947.
In this unit we will study more about R.K. Narayan and the story “An Astrologer’s Day”.

7.1 About R.K. Narayan

Figure 7.1: R.K. Narayan

Source: http://www.eng.fju.edu.tw/worldlit/india/Narayan.jpg
Popularly known as R.K. Narayan, Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayanswami is among the best
known and most widely read Indian novelists writing in English. He created the imaginary
town of Malgudi, where realistic characters in a typically Indian setting lived amid unpredictable
events.

7.1.1 Early Years

R.K. Narayan was born on October 10, 1906 in Madras and died in 13 May 2001. His father was a
school headmaster, and Narayan did some of his studies at his father’s school. As his father’s job
entailed frequent transfers, Narayan spent part of his childhood under the care of his maternal
grandmother, Parvati. During this time his best friends and playmates were a peacock and a

mischievous monkey. His grandmother gave him the nickname of Kunjappa, a name that stuck
to him in family circles. She taught him arithmetic, mythology, classical Indian music

and Sanskrit. While living with his grandmother, Narayan studied at a succession of schools in
Madras, including the Lutheran Mission School in Purasawalkam, C.R.C. High School, and
the Christian College High School. Narayan was an avid reader, and his early literary diet
included Dickens, Wodehouse, Arthur Conan Doyle and Thomas Hardy. At the age of twelve,
Narayan participated in a pro-independence march, for which he was reprimanded by his uncle
as the family was apolitical and considered all governments wicked.

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