Short stories by R K Narayan

This blog post is part of an assignment assigned by Megha Trivedi ma'am from the Department of English, MKBU. In this blog, I will be sharing my perspective about two short stories by R K Narayan 'Crime and Punishment' and 'An Astrologer's Day'. I also try to addressing the questions presented to us as part of this assignment.

About Author:

R.K. Narayan, in full Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayan, original name Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayanswami. He was born on October 10, 1906 at Madras [Chennai], India and died on May 13, 2001 at  Madras. He was one of the finest Indian authors of his generation writing in English. He is well known for his notable work 'Swami and Friends'

Dynamic roles of teacher and student in 'Crime and Punishment' 

R.K. Narayan's short story 'Crime and Punishment' delves into the intricate relationship between a teacher and a student, set against an Indian backdrop. Through a blend of humor, sarcasm, irony, and a touch of seriousness, Narayan skillfully portrays the dynamics betwbetween these two characters. The story raises thought-provoking questions about the role of a teacher, the influence of parenting, and the consequences of over-indulgence. In this blog post, we will delve into the central themes and explore the multifaceted roles of the teacher and student in the narrative.

The Teacher's Role:

The protagonist, the teacher, is faced with the challenging task of imparting knowledge to a clever and mischievous child while adhering to the parents' expectations. We witness the teacher's struggle between his belief in discipline and the parents' aversion to corporal punishment. The story raises questions about the teacher's authority and the boundaries of discipline in the classroom. The teacher's dilemma showcases the fine balance between nurturing a child's potential and instilling the necessary discipline for their development.

The Student's Role:

The young student in 'Crime and Punishment' embodies the epitome of mischief and cleverness. He challenges the teacher's authority, taking advantage of the situation when he is slapped. By blackmailing the teacher, the student exercises power over his educator, transforming their roles and creating a role reversal dynamic. The story highlights the student's ability to manipulate situations and underscores the importance of understanding a student's needs and motivations beyond the surface.

Parental Influence and Over-Caring:

The story portrays the parents as well-intentioned but overly protective and indulgent. They project an idealized image of their child, viewing him as an angelic being without flaws. However, their over-caring nature blinds them to the child's mischievous tendencies and prevents them from addressing his need for discipline. This depiction serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the potential harm caused by excessive parental intervention and the importance of a balanced approach to child-rearing.

The Complexity of Classroom Dynamics:

The classroom setting in 'Crime and Punishment' highlights the intricate web of relationships between the teacher, the student, and the parents. The story illustrates the challenges faced by educators when dealing with diverse student personalities and the conflicting expectations of parents. It emphasizes the need for open communication and understanding between all parties involved to foster a conducive learning environment.

Examples:

Taare Zameen Par:

Directed by Aamir Khan, this film tells the story of a dyslexic child named Ishaan who struggles with academics and faces misunderstanding from his teachers and peers. It highlights the transformative role of a compassionate art teacher who discovers Ishaan's potential and helps him overcome his learning difficulties.

Chhichhore:

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, this movie revolves around a group of college friends who reunite years later when one of them faces a life-threatening situation. It explores the pressures of academic expectations and the importance of friendship, teamwork, and resilience. The film depicts the valuable life lessons taught by a caring college professor.

Hichki:

Starring Rani Mukerji, "Hichki" portrays the story of a determined teacher with Tourette syndrome who takes on the challenge of teaching a class of underprivileged and unruly students. It focuses on the teacher-student relationship and highlights the power of perseverance, empathy, and understanding in bringing about positive change.

'An Astrologer's Day'

"An Astrologer's Day" is a short story written by R.K. Narayan, an acclaimed Indian author. The story revolves around an astrologer who operates on a street corner and claims to possess the ability to predict people's futures. 

The astrologer sets up his stall every day and uses a crystal ball and a set of ancient texts to create an aura of mystique. One evening, a man named Guru Nayak approaches him and asks for a reading of his horoscope. As the astrologer studies the man's hand and facial features, he recognizes Guru Nayak as an old acquaintance from his village who he believed he had killed years ago.

Feeling disturbed, the astrologer decides to test whether Guru Nayak recognizes him. During the reading, he mentions a few specific details about the man's past, including a murder that took place in their village. Guru Nayak becomes visibly shaken and admits that he was indeed involved in a fight where he thought he had killed someone. However, he had left the village soon after and never confirmed the person's death.

Relieved to know that he was not responsible for the murder, the astrologer confesses his true identity to Guru Nayak. He explains that after their fight, he had fallen unconscious and was presumed dead. The astrologer had decided to leave the village and start a new life as an astrologer in the city.

The story concludes with both men reflecting on the unpredictability of life. The astrologer realizes the irony of his profession since he couldn't predict the major event that changed his own life. The encounter also prompts him to reconsider the authenticity of astrology itself.

"An Astrologer's Day" explores themes of fate, identity, and the uncertainties of life. It sheds light on the human tendency to seek answers from external sources, such as astrology, while emphasizing the power of personal choices and the unpredictability of destiny. 

How faithful is the movie to the original short story?

In terms of faithfulness to the original short story, the movie seems to capture the core elements of the narrative. It maintains the central character of the astrologer, his encounter with the man who tried to kill him, and the subsequent revelation that the astrologer recognizes the man but keeps it a secret. The exploration of themes such as fate, identity, and deception also aligns with the original story.

The movie adaptation respects the essence and key messages of R.K. Narayan's "An Astrologer's Day." Therefore, it can be considered a faithful adaptation of the short story.

Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If not, can you explain with reasons?

I didn't feel aesthetic delight while watching the movie "An Astrologer's Day." Because the story focused more on evoking sadness and empathy for the characters. The story seemed to prioritize a poignant and melancholic atmosphere. 

The movie didn't prioritize providing a sense of aesthetic delight typically associated with visually pleasing or uplifting elements, it aimed to create an emotionally resonant experience for viewers. Through its emphasis on evoking sadness and empathy, the movie sought to elicit a strong emotional response and establish a profound connection with the story and its characters.

Does screening of movies help you in better understanding of the short story?

The screening of the movie has significantly contributed to a better understanding of the original short story. By watching the movie adaptation, I was able to grasp the entire concept of the story with vivid visual representations of the characters and settings. The movie remained faithful to the essence of the original short story, making it easier to comprehend the true essence and message of the narrative. The visual medium provided by the movie allowed for a more immersive experience, enhancing my understanding of the story's nuances and bringing the characters to life. Overall, the screening of the movie proved instrumental in deepening my understanding and appreciation of the original short story.

If you are the director, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story “An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K.Narayan? 

 If I'm a director, I would like to make some changes:

To provide a richer experience, I might consider expanding certain scenes or adding new ones that offer additional depth to the story. This could include exploring the astrologer's journey or showcasing the consequences of the man's past actions. These additions could further emphasize the themes of fate, identity, and deception present in the original story.

I would pay attention to sound design, incorporating ambient sounds and carefully chosen music to heighten the emotional impact of key scenes. Well-composed music could effectively underscore the tension, melancholy, or resolution within the narrative. 

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