Little Swami, like
all timid children, sucks his thumb and sleeps near his devoted,
story-telling Grandmother. Father is quite annoyed at this
mollycoddling and cleverly provokes his son into a show of courage:
he is to sleep all alone in his office that very night. And so, he
drags the reluctant child to the office while the women in the
family look on helplessly. A petrified Swami sleeps fitfully ?
dreams and reality merge ? but the next morning the little boy wakes
up 'A Hero"- with a special invitation to join the police
force.Swami abounds in the adulation and praise, while Father is
pleased to know his son's photograph has appeared in the local
newspapers. Rushing in one night to break the good news, he finds
Swami back to his old ways ? one night of manhood is enough for the
boy. R.K.Narayan pits the age-old courage vs. strength theory -
either you have it in you ? or you don't.

An impressive
statue of a Horse and Warrior stands on the outskirts of a sleepy
village named Kritam, not too far from Malgudi. Muni, the local
goat-herd and his family (wife and two goats) have obviously seen
better day. Hunger seems to follow them about like shadows? because
the shop-keepers terms are "strictly cash". And so, penniless,
dreaming of drumstick curry and other such delicacies, he grazes his
goats each day - lazing in the shadows of the great Horse. On one
such typical day, an American tourist happens to run out of "gas"
near the statue. The unlikely characters meet and an interesting
conversation is soon in full swing. The American speaks only English
while Muni speaks chaste Tamil. Not a single word is understood by
either, yet they go on like long lost friends. Finally, an
unexpected

bargain
takes place between Muni and the American that has surprising
results for Muni. The story brings out R.K. Narayans earthy sense OF
humor, dealing WITH communication AND the language barrier.

Thanappa is
Malgudi's friendly postman. Always a smile, time for a chat, a bit
of advice - followed by the inevitable refreshment. But he is more
than just a postman to the Ramanujam family. He shares their good
news when he brings tidings of it. And sympathizes in their sorrow
as well. Thanappa is instrumental in bringing about their daughter's
engagement - the one whose birth he had brought news of almost
seventeen years ago. A day before the happy occasion of her
marriage, a letter arrives bearing news of his elder brother's
illness and a telegram follows with his passing away. Should
Thanappa risk all by telling the family on this happy day? Or should
he postpone the delivery and risk ge

Malgudi's Miser - a
man who worships money and who'll do just about anything to save a
few rupees. 'Money', he says, 'is like the very image of the Goddess
Laxmi - Only to be seen and worshipped from afar. Never touched or
spent. But lo! There is an eyesore - loose cash - amongst the
brick-like neatness of the bundles in his safe. And wanting to rid
himself of this he takes his mischievous grandson to a film - in a
nearby theatre where tickets are cheaper and refreshment
unavailable. The boy however escapes from this frightening film
while Grandpa is engrossed in watching it, enjoying its sheer
value-for-money. R.K. Narayan shows the trauma the Miser goes
through when he finds his grandson missing and believed kidnapped.
Will Malgudi's Miser have to part with his fortune to get the boy
back or is this panic a part of his imagination?

Exploitation is
rife in this tragically funny story where a Landlord and an

Exorcist
combine to squeeze the blood from their miserably poor tenants. To
protect his loot, the landlord places six kerosene cans
one-on-top-of-each-other hoping that any thief might sound the
alarm. But the only thieves here are rats - not humans. And who but
a cat could deal with these vermin, suggests the Exorcist. The real
fun however begins late one night, when a brass pot suddenly comes
alive, bouncing up and down in the Landlord's godown, setting up an
unholy din. The terror-stricken tenants huddle together ? the
Exorcist is sent for ? Some evil is definitely afoot ? and will to
come to light !

8-year-old Leela
abounds with joy when her parents

hire
a new servant to help about the house. Sidda, the servant, is a
simple soul - but he is all she knows. The Sivasankar family is a
picture of joy as Sidda helps run an efficient household and gives
Leela the benefit of his experience. One day on the way home from
market, Mrs. Sivasankar discovers her daughter's chain missing.
Sidda too vanishes. Leela is beside herself with grief, while the
parents are busy with their own work, and the Police. In yet another
bitter-sweet tale, R.K. Narayan sharply contrasts the innocent world
of a child with the hard realities of adulthood. The chain is
finally found in a pickle-jar, but Sidda's screams rent the air
around the Police-station. Leela's friend is no more.

One dark moonless
night… A lonely road… An ancient forgotten temple that lies in
ruins, overgrown with weeds. What really happened there? Meet the
talkative man who was traveling through with Doss - Malgudi's most
safe and trustworthy driver. Something inexplicable seems to happen
to Doss when he suddenly swerves to avoid hitting an old man, whom
the talkative man couldn't see. And then begins a series of
inexplainable events. Could this really have happened? Was the
driver drunk? Or is this yet another of the talkative man's fabulous
yarns? Truth or lies, one thing is for sure - it makes great
listening! It is R.K. Narayan's effortless steering of the vehicle
which is the hallmark of all his stories.

Poor old watchman!
'Why' he asks, 'do people come to my Tank Bund to end their lives?'
Suicide has become almost a fashion at the small, deep Tank - with
the explanatory letter left behind. Death seems to greet him every
month or so, till one night he chances on a young lady in distress
already waist-deep in the water. The night is young as the Watchman
gets acquainted with the lady's problems. At dawn, having said his
piece, he leaves her to do what she will. And it is only many, many
years later that he

discovers
what really happened the morning after the night before. R.K.
Narayan examines the stifling conditions of the Indian Woman for
whom economic independence seems the only answer to her problems.

No one knew her
name, from whence she went, or came - for the family she was just
'Ayah'. A willing slave to cook and care for the three children,
keep a stern eye on the other servants and to generally keep the
house in running order - all for a pittance of a sari and a few
rupees a month. The only sign of any family of her own were two
hefty, sullen men in their early 40's, who would come to collect a
part of her meagre salary which she shares willingly. The story
features 'The Ayah' and Little Radha (the smallest of the children)
- their unique relationship where each indulges the other's fantasy
till one day when the Ayah leaves to become a willing slave for yet
someone else. Everyone from eight to eighty will identify with this
bitter-sweet tale. For the 'Ayah' forms an important figure in the
Indian household. And for the Western world, our central character
would be quite, quite unbelievable yet, about a Mother figurine

To Malgudi comes
India's most famed archaeologist-Dr. Bandhopadhyaya, a bit of a
crank! His equally cranky theories are conveyed to

old


friend
cum assistant, none other than the Talkative Man. The archaeologist
believes that remnants of Ancient Rome still lie about the plains of
Malgudi - and he's out to prove it! And so the two go tramping
around the countryside, looking for these remnants ? till the
Talkative Man comes up with a stone image which is confirmed as
Roman! The press laud them, the Historical Society praises them, and
the two bask in public adulation. Returning to the spot one morning,
the Talkative Man chances on the truth about the image-was it really
from Ancient Rome? or have our heroes made a slight geographical
error?

In the courtyard of a 100 year-old building live
Malgudis odd trio- Pachai, the blind beggar (whose eyesight is as sharp
as a razor), Kuppan,the rickshaw cyclist and Kali the coolie. His one
weakness is children. And the school opposite is his haven. He never
mingles with the kids-always keeping his distance from them. And so the
three eke out a living from day to day till the child-lover gets an
opportunity to earn some big money at the local ration store. Feigning
illness to his friends, he summons up the courage to buy sweets for the
children. At school-break, he approaches them. Being children, they
cannot refuse his tempting offer and soon there is commotion all over
the place. Some passers-by mistake him for a kidnapper and within no
time, rumors about him are rife. A large crowd chases him till he finds
refuge in a stranger s house.An exhausted Kali tries TO ESCAPE, but OF
no avail.The police arrive AND apprehend him.Kali has got himself landed
IN hospital, shorn AND shaven.His friends ON a consolation visit,
suggest he can go back TO his old ways AS no one will recognize the new,
hairless Kali.

Krishna's love for his wife was killing her. Strange
though it may sound, they were the very words uttered by a Holly


Astrologer. It all began years ago when his and the
girl's parents were opposed to the marriage. The horoscopes too, did not
match. But on seeing the unhappy couple, the parents relented and gave
in. Now, many years later as the Astrologer had predicted, Mars
(Krishna's house) was killing the girl. The doctor diagnosed it as
typhoid, but no amount of treatment would cure her. And so, Krishna
returned to the Astrologer who advised him to be unfaithful to his wife.
That day he dressed in the finest silks and ordered the taxi driver to
take him to Rangi the dancer who sometimes doubled as a woman of vice.
Would Krishna save his wife? Or would the deadly fever consume her?

The rebellious boy is called Nitya. 20 years ago, his
mortal illness led the parents to make a vow: to place the tiny tot's
hair on the Lord's altar - if he saved their boy's life. Allopathy or
sacred vow - Nitya lived on. The parents grew forgetful till one day
they remembered the vow. Both grew fretful, for Nitya was not one to
fool about with. A 100-mile journey, ending in a total head shave was
not his idea of fun. But somehow, the parents managed to convince their
son and they all set off one Friday morning. The journey, to say the
least, was uncomfortable and on reaching the site, a steep hill-climb
awaited them. Nitya cursed to his heart's content - but there was no way
out. On reaching the village, the party was greeted profusely by the
villagers and refreshments were laid out - which Father politely
refused. Worse still, the barber was missing from his house, so no shave
could take place. This pleased Nitya no end, but annoyed his parents.

When the talkative man won a massive road engine at
the fair, friends congratulated him on his good fortune. Little did he
know that this was just the beginning of 'engine trouble'! As we follow
the talkative man through his travails to get rid of the engine, we
encounter several familiar small-town characters - the arrogant
municipal chairman, the temple priest, a yoga swami and even the temple
elephant. When all fail, the talkative man prepares to leave the town,
leaving the engine to its fate. Is that the only way out? Or will a
miraculous solution present itself? Thoroughly enjoyable, 'Engine
Trouble' keeps you chuckling.

Every





college has an Iswaran - the student who seems to be
growing roots in the same class. The target for fellow-students' taunts
and even his own parents' skepticism. Iswaran is a lonely, tormented
soul. He tries to mask his feelings with jaunty defiance, but underneath
he remains 'hopelessly seared by failure, desperately longing and
praying for success.' He seeks escape in the cinema, trying to lose his
woes in the world of make-believe. Torn between the desire to see his
name among the successful students, and the fear of failure, he
contemplates and then discards the idea of suicide. However, fate has
something in store for Iswaran; an ending that takes us all by surprise.

Govind Singh, the gateman carries around a registered
postal envelope asking everyone what's inside, but recoiling at the
suggestion of opening it to find out. No wonder everyone, including
himself entertains doubts about his sanity. The background of his
strange behavior takes us to the time when Govind Singh, fiercely proud
of his khaki



uniform, and his short stick, stood to attention, and
gave a military salute to the chief every morning. After his retirement
he tries to express his gratitude by presenting the chief with one of
the clay-models he makes so well. What happens next highlights the
plight of simple, uneducated folk that inhabit our towns and villages.
R.K. Narayan, at his empathetic best.

If you asked Ranga how long he'd been sharpening
knives and other things, he'd reply "ever since a line of moustache
began to appear here" drawing a finger over his lip…. For there were no
calendars, watches, almanacs or even mirrors in his world. His mission
was getting people to see the importance of keeping their edges sharp.
He even guaranteed his work for sixty days to keep ahead of his sole
competitor . No one knew Ranga's secret dream to protect his little
daughter in the village from his quarrelsome wife, and make her a lady
doctor. So he came to the village every other month, enduring the
torture of his wife's barbs only to enjoy watching his daughter dress up
in her green skirt and yellow jacket to go to the Mission school.After
one of his visits, when Ranga gets a lift in a car, he wished his wife
could see him and realize how people respect him.The message TWO WILL DO
painted on the car doesn't have any significance for him till much later
.

Venkat Rao feels like a failure in front of his
little daughter Shanta. His long hours at the office under the hawk-like
scrutiny of his dry-as-dust boss, and the pittance he receives at the
end of the month leave him with neither time nor money for his little
pet. Little Shanta can't have dolls,



dresses and outings like other little girls. That is
why, when one day, fascinated by the colourful announcement for a film,
she begs her father to take her to the 'cinema', he makes a solemn
promise to her, and a resolve to himself to return home at five. The
eagerness of little Shanta who is waiting for five o'clock and the
desperation of her father are juxtaposed so effectively, that we are
willing to see Venkat Rao to hurry and rush home. R.K. Narayan's special
talent for narration touches just the right points, always
matter-of-fact, avoiding melodrama like a skilled tight rope-walker.

Like all children, Swami hates going to school on
Mondays. But like it or not, he had to be there at the Albert Mission
School every morning. The teachers are a mixed lot – the fiery-eyed
Vednagyam, the kind D. Pillai, the cantankerous Ebnezer and the rest,
all firm believers of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child".
Then there are Swami"s delightful friends – Samuel the pea, the
hot-blooded Mani, and the resourceful Rajam. Together they go through
exam fever, cricket – craze, games in the blazing noon, and afternoon
"tiffin". Swami’s strict father can usually see through all his excuses
to escape school, but Swami has staunch support from his mother and
grandmother. Swami has a knack for getting into scrapes, and when in a
fit of passion he snatches the headmaster"s cane and throws it out,
there seems no way out but to run away from home. Later, lost in a
frightening forest, Swami realizes his folly, but is it too late? Or
will Swami return in time for the MCC (Malgudi



Cricket



Club) match. Swami and friends is a delightful collage
of stories, unpretentious and extremely charming.

Like all children, Swami hates going to school on
Mondays. But like it or not, he had to be there at the Albert Mission
School every morning. The teachers are a mixed lot – the fiery-eyed
Vednagyam, the kind D. Pillai, the cantankerous Ebnezer and the rest,
all firm believers of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child".
Then there are Swami"s delightful friends – Samuel the pea, the
hot-blooded Mani, and the resourceful Rajam. Together they go through
exam fever, cricket – craze, games in the blazing noon, and afternoon
"tiffin". Swami’s strict father can usually see through all his excuses
to escape school, but Swami has staunch support from his mother and
grandmother. Swami has a knack for getting into scrapes, and when in a
fit of passion he snatches the headmaster"s cane and throws it out,
there seems no way out but to run away from home. Later, lost in a
frightening forest, Swami realizes his folly, but is it too late? Or
will Swami return in time for the MCC (Malgudi Cricket Club) match.
Swami and friends is a delightful collage of stories, unpretentious and
extremely charming.

Like all children, Swami hates going to school on
Mondays. But like it or not, he had to be there at the Albert Mission
School every morning. The teachers are a mixed lot – the fiery-eyed
Vednagyam, the kind D. Pillai, the cantankerous Ebnezer and the rest,
all firm believers of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child".
Then there are Swami"s delightful friends – Samuel the pea, the
hot-blooded Mani, and the resourceful Rajam. Together they go through
exam fever, cricket – craze, games in the blazing noon, and afternoon "tiffin".
Swami’s strict father can usually see through all his excuses to



escape school, but Swami has staunch support from his
mother and grandmother. Swami has a knack for getting into scrapes, and
when in a





fit of





passion he snatches the headmaster"s cane and throws
it out, there seems no way out but to run away from home. Later, lost in
a frightening forest, Swami realizes his folly, but is it too late? Or
will Swami return in time for the MCC (Malgudi Cricket Club) match.
Swami and friends is a delightful collage of stories, unpretentious and
extremely charming.

Like all children, Swami hates going to school on
Mondays. But like it or not, he had to be there at the Albert Mission
School every morning. The teachers are a mixed lot – the fiery-eyed
Vednagyam, the kind D. Pillai, the cantankerous Ebnezer and the rest,
all firm believers of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child".
Then there are Swami"s delightful friends – Samuel the pea, the
hot-blooded Mani, and the resourceful Rajam. Together they go through
exam fever, cricket – craze, games in the blazing noon, and afternoon "tiffin".
Swami’s strict father can usually see through all his excuses to escape
school, but Swami has staunch support from his mother and grandmother.
Swami has a knack for getting into scrapes, and when in a fit of passion
he snatches the headmaster"s cane and throws it out, there seems no way
out but to run away from home. Later, lost in a frightening forest,
Swami realizes his folly, but is it too late? Or will Swami return in
time for the MCC (Malgudi





Cricket



Club) match. Swami and friends is a delightful collage
of stories, unpretentious and extremely charming.

Like all children, Swami hates going to school on
Mondays. But like it or not, he had to be there at the Albert Mission
School every morning. The teachers are a mixed lot – the fiery-eyed
Vednagyam, the kind D. Pillai, the cantankerous Ebnezer and the rest,
all firm believers of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child".
Then there are Swami"s delightful friends – Samuel the pea, the
hot-blooded Mani, and the resourceful Rajam. Together they go through
exam fever, cricket – craze, games in the blazing noon, and afternoon "tiffin".
Swami’s strict father can usually see through all his excuses to escape
school, but Swami has staunch support from his mother and grandmother.
Swami has a knack for getting into scrapes, and when in a fit of passion
he snatches the headmaster"s cane and throws it out, there seems no way
out but to run away from home. Later, lost in a frightening forest,
Swami realizes his folly, but is it too late? Or will Swami return in
time for the MCC (Malgudi Cricket Club) match. Swami and friends is a
delightful collage of stories, unpretentious and extremely charming.

Like all children, Swami hates going to school on
Mondays. But like it or not, he had to be there at the Albert Mission
School every morning. The teachers are a mixed lot – the fiery-eyed
Vednagyam, the kind D. Pillai, the cantankerous Ebnezer and the rest,
all firm believers of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child".
Then there are Swami"s delightful friends – Samuel the pea, the
hot-blooded Mani, and the resourceful Rajam. Together they go through
exam fever, cricket – craze, games in the blazing noon, and afternoon "tiffin".
Swami’s strict father can usually see through all his excuses to escape
school, but Swami has staunch support from his mother and grandmother.
Swami has a knack for getting into scrapes, and when in a fit of passion
he snatches the headmaster"s cane and throws it out, there seems no way
out but to run away from home. Later, lost in a frightening forest,
Swami realizes his folly, but is it too late? Or will Swami return in
time for the MCC (Malgudi Cricket Club) match. Swami and friends is a
delightful collage of stories, unpretentious and extremely charming.

Like all children, Swami hates going to school on
Mondays. But like it or not, he had to be there at the Albert Mission
School every morning. The teachers are a mixed lot – the fiery-eyed
Vednagyam, the kind D. Pillai, the cantankerous Ebnezer and the rest,
all firm believers of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child".
Then there are Swami"s delightful friends – Samuel the pea, the
hot-blooded Mani, and the resourceful Rajam. Together they go through
exam fever, cricket – craze, games in the blazing noon, and afternoon "tiffin".
Swami’s strict father can usually see through all his excuses to escape
school, but Swami has staunch support from his mother and grandmother.
Swami has a knack for getting into scrapes, and when in a fit of passion
he snatches the headmaster"s cane and throws it out, there seems no way
out but to run away from home. Later, lost in a frightening forest,
Swami realizes his folly, but is it too late? Or will Swami return in
time for the MCC (Malgudi Cricket Club) match. Swami and friends is a
delightful collage of stories, unpretentious and extremely charming.

Like all children, Swami hates going to school on
Mondays. But like it or not, he had to be there at the Albert Mission
School every morning. The teachers are a mixed lot – the fiery-eyed
Vednagyam, the kind D. Pillai, the cantankerous Ebnezer and the rest,
all firm believers of the adage, "spare the rod and spoil the child".
Then there are Swami"s delightful friends – Samuel the pea, the
hot-blooded Mani, and the resourceful Rajam. Together they go through
exam fever, cricket – craze, games in the blazing noon, and afternoon "tiffin".
Swami’s strict father can usually see through all his excuses to escape
school, but Swami has staunch support from his mother and grandmother.
Swami has a knack for getting into scrapes, and when in a fit of passion
he snatches the headmaster"s cane and throws it out, there seems no way
out but to run away from home. Later, lost in a frightening forest,
Swami realizes his folly, but is it too late? Or will Swami return in
time for the MCC (Malgudi Cricket Club) match. Swami and friends is a
delightful collage of stories, unpretentious and extremely charming.

This is the story of a little girl who has learnt to
dance in the school. Her performance was watched by the





Film



Producer and Director who have come in search of the
girl. The very idea of their coming thrills the parents who subject the
girl to perform a dance before them at home and she is asked to be
brought to studio for the screen test. The girl fearing this, hides
herself as the time nears for her to go to the studio. The parents make
a frantic search and they are almost frightened of her disappearance.
Ultimately, the mother realizies that the girl has hidden herself in a
basket and has fainted. When she comes to her senses she pleads with the
mother not to send her to acting. Mother realizing the fright of the
girl concedes to her demand.

This is the story of Ramu, an orphan boy wanting to
have a job with a merchant in the town of Malgudi. Being an orphan
himself, he takes pity on Ramu and employs him. Ramu develops an
association with the whole family in a manner that they begin trusting
him totally. Sheshadri, the boss practically allows Ramu to handle total
business including purchase and sale and he thinks of expanding the
business with the assistance of Ramu who has become almost a family
member. One day when Sheshadri was out of station and returns, finds
that his whole shop is empty and Ramu not only had swindled all the
money but also borrowed money and disappeared. Sheshadri is forced to
leave the town because of the heavy loss. Several years later when he is
going to a Temple, he sees a man begging on the steps of the temple who
is affected by leprosy. He realizes that he is Ramu and tries to call
him.

This is the story of a pick-pocket and his final
outcome in life when he tries to take the right path. Raju, who is a
pick-pocket continues his profession bluffing his wife that he is
earning ease from various business, etc. On one such occasion he follows
a gentleman with the Green Blazer…. finds that he has bought some
balloons for his daughter and ultimately picks his purse. While removing
the cash from the purse notices the balloon, which the man had bought
for his young daughter. He is really upset thinking about the child
without the balloon. Raju pushes back the balloon in the purse and tries
to place it back in the pocket of the gentleman with the Green
Blazer….but is caught, beaten up and handed over to police. He resolves
that



never



again he will ever sympathize with anyone.

This is the story of Venkatesh, a Snake Charmer and
his son Pundi who perform various acts with a live snake for their
living. The boy develops love for the snake. Venkatesh, the snake
charmer having lost his wife develops an association with another
married woman. In the mean time they catch hold of a monkey and train it
to perform in the public along with the snake.

This episode continues with the training of the newly
caught monkey to perform in the public. Venkatesh, the snake charmer
deserts his son and runs off with other woman and also takes the newly
trained monkey for his living. Left at this, the boy tries to live by
performing in public with the snake. The snake is old and is not able to
raise even its hood. Pundi, the boy having developed association with
the snake tries to feed it regardless of his own hunger. With disgust he
tries to get rid of the snake by leaving it in forest. When he sees an
Eagle is about to attack the snake he rushes to the snake and saves it
to take it back with him.

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet
meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian
principles having taken part in the Freedom struggle movement. His
belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats
of life, is totally disapproved by his own son. He discontinues his
education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns
home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friend Narasimha's life.
Jagan develops an affection for his daughter-in-law though she is an
American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife. In
earlier days Jagan had lost his wife because of his involvement in
freedom struggle movement and not finding time to spend with his wife.
This had caused a repulsion in the mind of Mali against his father.
Mali's desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know-how
from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the
entire gear of "Malgudi Thinking" and this friction splits the family.

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet
meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian
principles having taken part in the Freedom struggle movement. His
belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats
of life, is totally disapproved by his own son. He discontinues his
education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns
home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friend Narasimha's life.
Jagan develops an affection for his daughter-in-law though she is an
American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife. In
earlier days Jagan had lost his wife because of his involvement in
freedom struggle movement and not finding time to spend with his wife.
This had caused a repulsion in the mind of Mali against his father.
Mali's desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know-how
from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the
entire gear of "Malgudi Thinking" and this friction splits the family.

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet
meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian
principles having taken part in the Freedom struggle movement. His
belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats
of life, is totally disapproved by his own son. He discontinues his
education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns
home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friend Narasimha's life.
Jagan develops an affection for his daughter-in-law though she is an
American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife. In
earlier days Jagan had lost his wife because of his involvement in
freedom struggle movement and not finding time to spend with his wife.
This had caused a repulsion in the mind of Mali against his father.
Mali's desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know-how
from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the
entire gear of "Malgudi Thinking" and this friction splits the family.

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet
meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian
principles having taken part in the Freedom struggle movement. His
belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats
of life, is totally disapproved by his own son. He discontinues his
education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns
home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friend Narasimha's life.
Jagan develops an affection for his daughter-in-law though she is an
American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife. In
earlier days Jagan had lost his wife because of his involvement in
freedom struggle movement and not finding time to spend with his wife.
This had caused a repulsion in the mind of Mali against his father.
Mali's desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know-how
from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the
entire gear of "Malgudi Thinking" and this friction splits the family.

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet
meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian
principles having taken part in the Freedom struggle movement. His
belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats
of life, is totally disapproved by his own son. He discontinues his
education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns
home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friend Narasimha's life.
Jagan develops an affection for his daughter-in-law though she is an
American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife. In
earlier days Jagan had lost his wife because of his involvement in
freedom struggle movement and not finding time to spend with his wife.
This had caused a repulsion in the mind of Mali against his father.
Mali's desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know-how
from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the
entire gear of "Malgudi Thinking" and this friction splits the family.

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet
meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian
principles having taken part in the Freedom struggle movement. His
belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats
of life, is totally disapproved by his own son. He discontinues his
education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns
home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friend Narasimha's life.
Jagan develops an affection for his daughter-in-law though she is an
American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife. In
earlier days Jagan had lost his wife because of his involvement in
freedom struggle movement and not finding time to spend with his wife.
This had caused a repulsion in the mind of Mali against his father.
Mali's desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know-how
from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the
entire gear of "Malgudi Thinking" and this friction splits the family.

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet
meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian
principles having taken part in the Freedom struggle movement. His
belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats
of life, is totally disapproved by his own son. He discontinues his
education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns
home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friend Narasimha's life.
Jagan develops an affection for his daughter-in-law though she is an
American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife. In
earlier days Jagan had lost his wife because of his involvement in
freedom struggle movement and not finding time to spend with his wife.
This had caused a repulsion in the mind of Mali against his father.
Mali's desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know-how
from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the
entire gear of "Malgudi Thinking" and this friction splits the family.

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet
meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian
principles having taken part in the Freedom struggle movement. His
belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats
of life, is totally disapproved by his own son. He discontinues his
education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns
home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friend Narasimha's life.
Jagan develops an affection for his daughter-in-law though she is an
American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife. In
earlier days Jagan had lost his wife because of his involvement in
freedom struggle movement and not finding time to spend with his wife.
This had caused a repulsion in the mind of Mali against his father.
Mali's desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know-how
from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the
entire gear of "Malgudi Thinking" and this friction splits the family.