R. K. Narayan
(1906–2001)

One of the finest and best-known Indians ever to have written in the English language, R. K. Narayan was born in Madras, India in 1906. Born Rasipuram Krishnaswami Ayyar Narayanswami, Narayan shortened his name on the urging of fellow writer and friend, Graham Greene. This change coincided with the publication of his first novel, Swami and Friends (1935).

Growing up, Narayan loved to read. Although he was not successful in high school, Narayan went on to attend Maharaja College in Mysore, from which he graduated in 1930. Following graduation, Narayan worked briefly as a teacher, but soon left this profession to dedicate all of his time to writing.

After the publication of Swami and Friends, Narayan continued to publish novels, short stories, essays, and translations of Indian epics. Among the best-known of Narayan's 34 novels are The English Teacher (1945), Waiting for the Mahatma (1955), The Guide (1958), The Vendor of Sweets (1967), and A Tiger for Malgudi. His works also include a translation of The Ramayana (1974) and The Mahabharata (1978).

At the time of Narayan's death, his works had been translated into every European language as well as Hebrew. Narayan died in the town of his birth at the age of 94.

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