R.K. Narayan is one of the most famous authors in Indian history, and his works have contributed a great deal to the culture here. The late author was born in Madras in 1906, but he spent most of his childhood in Mysore. It’s fair to claim that this region had a huge impact on Narayan’s works.

For anyone interested in learning about why Narayan is considered one of the all-time greats, it’s wise to read some of his most lauded works. Many of these have been translated into various languages, and they cemented Narayan’s status as a prominent author on the world stage.

More Indians Than Ever Are Discovering a Passion for Reading

Despite Narayan passing away more than 20 years ago, many Indian youngsters are going in search of Narayan’s books. That’s because reading is officially cool again, thanks to social media. As the PIA blog highlights, celebrities on platforms like Instagram are helping to encourage more people to read. Emma Watson and Jimmy Fallon are two of the most famous faces pushing the pastime.

Around 25 percent of literate youths in the country read in their free time, with an even mix between urban and rural areas. There is a possibility, though, that with the rise of streaming platforms, there could soon be a drop off in the number of Indians reading books.

The rise of the internet in India will bring about new ways for people to access books, with eBooks and audiobooks being popular options in the west. Live Mint claims there will be around 900 million internet users in the country by 2025, highlighting how this could be a massive market for online books.

Many of Narayan’s Works Have Been Adapted

To satisfy the fact that many of today’s younger readers may be drawn towards screens, it could be beneficial to start by reading the Narayan works that have been adapted into films or television series. According to Inc42, there has been a growth in the leisure reading population in India, and this could be because there are loads of titles that exist both on the page and in adapted screen forms. 

Narayan’s works were set in imaginary towns, with Malgudi being the most famous one. One of his most popular books of all time was Malgudi Days, which was a set of short stories within a fictitious location. It was released in 1943 and has been adapted several times in the years since. The best-known series about it was released in the 1980s.

Narayan won many awards during his glittering career, with The Guide picking up the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1958. This was also adapted into a critically acclaimed film of the same name. It was released in 1965 and further helped boost Narayan’s notoriety as one of India’s brightest authors.

After reading the best-known offerings from Narayan, many people go in search of his other titles. His unique writing style is addictive, and there are plenty of offerings in which you can experience it. Some of the other most notable books from the author include Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts, and The English Teacher.