All literary buffs, voracious readers definitely know one of the early recognised English Writer of India – ‘Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami’, simply known as R K Narayan (October 10, 1906 – May 13, 2001). His another famous brother was the brilliant cartoonist R K Laxman. The lesser known brother was an editor at Gemini Studios, Madras.
R K Narayan was born in Madras, educated, worked, wrote and lived all his life at Mysore. He was smitten by a young 15 year old girl from Tamilnadu and married her in 1933, he unfortunately lost her to typhoid in 1939! His life was not an easy one. Accolades came much later. Graham Greene, the famous English novelist was his mentor and guide. He introduced him to the English literary world. Most of his work is autobiographical, his humour wry … Probably he was influenced by the contemporary literature of his time. He was a voracious reader. He published some of his own books in the early years. Later Penguin Books republished them.
In his lifetime, R K Narayan wrote 27 novels in all. He also wrote 6 short stories. He was conferred of Honorary Doctrate degrees from, Leeds, Mysore and Delhi Universities between the years 1967-73. He was the recipient of many awards like … Padma Vibushan (2001), Padma Bhushan (1964), Sahitya Academy Award (1958), American Academy of Arts & Letters (1982), AC Benson Medal by Royal Society of Literature (1980) Filmfare Award (1967) for the movie ‘Guide’ and was nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature number of times. R K Narayan was nominated to the Upper House of Parliament for a six year term starting 1989 for his contribution to Indian Literature.
All his life, R K Narayan lived in Mysore, walking the streets of Sayyaji Rao Road, Vontikoppal etc… getting inspired for his stories. His good photographer friend, the famous T S Satyan has captured many moments. R K Narayan started building his house in 1948 and completed it in 1952 at Yadavagiri on a 100 X 120 plot. The first floor of his house, an oval shaped bay room was where he wrote his masterpieces. Today this house is open to public in the form of a literary musuem aptly called the ‘ R K Narayan House’.
The house was sold to a builder who wanted to tear it down and build a luxurious apartment block. Thanks to the timely intervention of the literary lovers of Mysore, the Government Department agencies especially MUDA, who stopped the demolition and bought the house back from the builder. Later in September 2011 the property has been declared as a ‘Heritage Property’.
The Karnataka & Cultural Department’s nodal agency has restored the property with help from R K Narayan’s family. The family has donated books, photographs, awards, citations, clothes, articles etc to be displayed and for the public to view. R K Narayan’s House is open to public. It’s a few metres down the road from Dasprakash Paradise Hotel. It takes an hour and half for an avid R K Narayan literary lover to go through the house.
There’s no entrance fee. The Karnataka Government has spent a lot of money buying back the property and redoing the same. It’s taken them 4 years to restore this house. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated this Musuem on 23rd July 2016. Some say that this house is modelled after the literary genius William Shakespeare at Avon, England!
R K Narayan towards the end of his life moved to Chennai because of health reasons. Loss of his daughter at an early age took a toll on him. He was a private man brimming with ideas and life and most of his writings were his life experiences and at times auto-biographical.
It’s time well spent, when you are at Mysore to visit and appreciate this heritage property. You may contact Mr.Anand Kumar on 96328-21432 for assistance in locating the place. He is stationed at this house of R K Naryan.
-Jagdeesh Laxman Singh
aka Jugie Singh
Text & Photography
The House that R K Narayan built. Today – His Musuem !
