Rk Narayan

Novelist

Birthday October 10, 1906

Birth Sign Libra

Birthplace India

DEATH DATE May 13, 2002 (95)

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About

Considered one of the greatest Indian-English novelists of all time, he wrote Swami and Friends (1935) and The Bachelor of Arts (1937). He is the recipient of the prestigious Padma Vibhusha award.

Before Fame

He began his literary career as a reporter for The Justice, a Madras-based newspaper. He published his first novel, Swami and Friends, in 1935.

Trivia

He was awarded honorary doctorates by the University of Leeds and Delhi University.

Family Life

His wife, Rajam, died of typhoid fever in 1939, leaving the couple's young daughter, Hema, without a mother. His grief over his wife's death inspired his 1945 novel, The English Teacher.

Associated With

He was mentored and championed by author Graham Greene.