RK Narayan, one amongst the most loved Indian English literature laureates, is the first post-independence writer who attracted the Western world’s eyeballs by introducing them to the Indian writing in English.
This leading author known for his simple, subtle style created The Malgudi Days, which took the Indian English literature to the global platform.
RK Narayan full name
RK Narayan’s full name was Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami while Kunjappa was his nickname given by his grandmother.
RK Narayan novels
Swami and Friends was his first novel which set in the fictitious Malgudi and beautifully encapsulated the transitioning milieu of British and post-independence India.
His other works include The English Teacher, The Financial Expert, Waiting for the Mahatma, My Dateless Diary, The Man-Eater of Malgudi, etc.
RK Narayan achievements
Let’s read RK Narayan’s accomplishments on his 20th death anniversary:
- Narayan was elected as an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
- He won the AC Benson medal presented by the Royal Society of Literature.
- Narayan earned nomination many times for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
- He won the Sahitya Akademi Award (for The Guide) and was honoured with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
- His novel The Guide was adapted for a stage representation at the Broadway Theatre New York.
- Rockefeller Foundation in the USA granted a fellowship to Narayan during which he delivered lectures in University of California, Berkeley and Michigan State University.
- He received his first honorary doctorate from the University of Leeds.