R.K. Narayan: A Mindmap

• R.K. Narayan (1906-2001)
  • Full Name: Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami
  • Biography
    • Born: Oct 10, 1906 (Madras)
    • Education: Maharaja College of Mysore
    • Mentor: Graham Greene (helped with early publications)
    • Key Creation: Fictional town of Malgudi
    • Died: May 13, 2001 (Chennai)
  • Major Works
    • Novels
      • Swami and Friends (1935) - First novel, introduces Malgudi
      • The Bachelor of Arts (1937)
      • The Dark Room (1938)
      • The English Teacher (1945) - Semi-autobiographical
      • The Financial Expert (1952) - Masterpiece on ambition/greed
      • The Guide (1958) - Sahitya Akademi Award winner
      • The Vendor of Sweets (1967) - Generational conflict
      • A Tiger for Malgudi (1983)
    • Short Story Collections
      • Malgudi Days
      • An Astrologer’s Day and Other Stories
    • Non-Fiction
      • My Days (Autobiography)
    • Mythology Retellings
      • The Ramayana
      • The Mahabharata
  • Literary Style & Themes
    • Style
      • Simple, Lucid Prose
      • Gentle Irony & Humor
      • Realistic & Authentic Portrayal
      • Detached Narration
      • Creation of Malgudi (as a character/setting)
    • Themes
      • Ordinary & Everyday Life
      • Tradition vs. Modernity
      • Human Foibles & Eccentricities
      • Search for Identity & Meaning
      • Role of Fate & Destiny
  • Awards & Honors
    • Sahitya Akademi Award (1960) for The Guide
    • Padma Bhushan (1964)
    • Filmfare Award (1980) for The Guide (film adaptation)
    • Padma Vibhushan (2000)
    • Nominated for Nobel Prize in Literature (multiple times)
    • Nominated to Rajya Sabha