R.K.Narayan and his Short stories

 An Astrologer's Day by R.K.Narayan

This blog is part of a thinking activity task based on short story called An Astrologer's Day and Crime and Punishment. In this blog the comparison is made between the short film and the short story. Morover, the ideas of Crime and Punishment explored.

Introduction :

An Astrologer's Day is a short story written by R.K. Narayan is one of the prominent pre-independent writers. Narayan is well known for creating the fictional town Malagudi in the realm of Indian English Literature, just as HArdy's Wessex and William Faulkner's Yoknapwatpha. Additionally, one of the major theme in the work of Narayan is exploration of prevalent superstition in the India.

Moreover, the similar theme is explored in this short story. This story is abut the one day of the astrologer. He is a fake astrologer who wants to run away from his guilt, so he turned to this profession. Apparently the astrologer is working in this profession for his roti means bread and butter.

Additionally, the story also reveals the superstitious side of Indian society and the psychological approach of astrologers. Ultimately he finds relief from his past by the unexpected revelation of living Guru Nayak.

Now let's answer some questions based on the comparison of Short story and Short Film.

(An Astrologer's Day)

1. How faithful is the movie to the original short story?

The short film is faithful to the original story as it mentioned in the beginning of the video that this is the adaptation of Narayan's work. In Addition, some of the changes has been made in the film.

2. After watching the movie, has your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?

The story was already read in the classroom and the imagination is also possible because of the language of the work, so in the case of perception there hasn't been any drastic change. As the characters are already understood, the short film provided a clear image and the effect of the story with the help of camera, music and the atmosphere.

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

The stories are made for providing aesthetic delight and as Wordsworth says that ail of poetry is to provide delight of morals. Even in Indian Poetics Bharatmuni said that "Rassanishppati '' in the spectator is the main aim of the nataka. Narayan's story passes the standard given by Indian and Western critics.

Particularly highlighting the aesthetic delight in the story then the beginning, middle, climax and resolution interwoven in such a way that it evokes the catharsis within the reader. In addition the shock or the climax of the revelation of the identity of the astrologer and his past creates an atmosphere of mystery.

This is the point where I feel aesthetic delight. However, there are many stories written in this revelation manner so the effectiveness of the story somehow degrades.

4. Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the short story?

Yes it helped in better understanding of the past especially of the astrologer. The camera work meticulously saw the past in black and white frame and the quarrel of Guru Nayak and the protagonist.

5. Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?

The revelation scene is perfect where the real identity of the astrologer is revealed and the time when the wife says that now the sweets will be made in the house after a long time. In a way the story also depicts the downtrodden poors who have to indulge in such a profession for their life. 

6. 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 am the director, then by taking poetic license, I would change some aspects of the story. First, I would shoot it in a modern scenario where the astrologer, rather than sitting under a tree, sits in an office. The reason for doing this is that it is now a professional business, and in order to make the setting more contemporary, it's important.

Another thing is the clothes, of course. The astrologer would be in professional clothing because of his profession. The people visiting him would be in modern clothes in terms of appearance, but their mindset might still be stuck in the dark ages of pre-independence. The character of Guru Nayak would also be a businessman who has a good reputation, but he comes there for revenge.

Additionally, the masterstroke would be that the astrologer is also a hacker. Through hacking social media, he would once again recognize Guru Nayak and make him a fool. So, this would be my interpretation using creative liberties.

Crime and Punishment

Exploring the dynamic roles of teacher and student: Crime and Punishment by R.K. Narayan. 

Role of teacher and student is always complex. It depends on the age criteria of the students as well as teachers. After parents the first role of mentor played by teacher. In their hands the development of individual happened. As soon as child learn to go out from the safe walls of the house the world is somewhere mystery to them, new people, new atmosphere, new surroundings and so on and so forth. This worls will be heaven if the good teacher come into the life of students. 

Moreover, creativity, art, critical thinking, colours of the world all this are learnt by the students. In this phase one good mentor can change 360 degree life of the students. As in the short story of R.K.Narayan the teacher saves the student from wrath of parents.  Particularly talking about the movies like Tare Zamen Par, Hichki, Black and many more.

First let's take an example of Tare Zamen Par

It explores the life and imagination of Ishaan (Safary), an artistically gifted 8-year-old boy whose poor academic performance leads his parents to send him to a boarding school, where a new art teacher Nikumbh (Khan) suspects that he is dyslexic and helps him to overcome his reading disorder. Now there are most of the teachers who treats Ishan in negative way leads him to anxiety and depression and lack of selfconfidence in him. 

Additionaly, this showcases the importance of teachers like Nikumbh in the life of student.

Another movie is Super 30, how teacher like Anand Kumar contricutes in the lie of poor children. Most famous dailouge is , " Ab Raja ka beta Raja nahi banega. " that means every students will get equal chance for their capability. 

Hichki is glaring example of commitment of the teacher in the shaping the life of students. Though having speech disorder faced criticism and win the hearts of the students and evokes the intrest in learning knowledge. 

One more example is of Physicswallah- Alakh Pandey and his dailouge "Helllllllloooooo Baaacchhhoooo".  His prime goal was to make education more easy and understandable. He faught against the corrupt educational system and build his community of students. 

How can we forget Jitu Bhaiya of Kota Factory. His dailouge " Are BHai ha k na kuch to bol" and commitment to solve academic and nonacademic problems of the students. He emerges as moderns inspirational teacher figure just as Alkh Pandey. Jitu Bhaiya's dedication and commitment towards imparting quality education was seen when he utilised his vacation time to deliver classes to aspiring engineers in Kota.

John Keating is most favourite teacher of any genration who watched the Dead Poet Society. His unorthodox teaching methods and ability to inspire the students and the iconic scene od " Oh Captain My Captain " highlights the ability of teaches to be the beacon of the life of the students. 

These are some examples of the teacher student relationship and the consequeces of one good mentor/ teacher in the life of student. 

Thank you. 

Words : 2034

Image : 7

Video : 1

References : 

References : 

“An Astrologer’s Day| Hindi Short Film.” YouTube, 16 June 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tygoddU7W8. 

Afzal, Mir. “An Astrologer'S Day by R. K. Narayan Summary, Analysis, Theme and Question Answers - Smart English Notes.” Smart English Notes, 26 Mar. 2021, smartenglishnotes.com/2020/12/20/an-astrologers-day-by-r-k-narayan-summary-analysis-theme-and-question-answers.

Profile, Visit. Worksheet :- Screening of Short Film “An Astrologer’s Day” Based on R.K.Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day”. 7 Sept. 2021, vaidehi09.blogspot.com/2021/09/worksheet-screening-of-short-film.html.

 Narendra, Aditi, and Aditi Narendra. “Inspiring Real Life Teachers Portrayed on Screen.” Careers360, school.careers360.com/articles/inspirational-movies-about-teacher-and-student-relationships.