LITERATURE: The aesthetic excellence

Vendor of Sweets by Narayan

R.K. Narayan, in full Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayan, original name Rasipuram Krishnaswami
Narayanswami, (born October 10, 1906, Madras [Chennai], India—died May 13, 2001, Madras),
one of the finest Indian authors of his generation writing in English.
Reared by his grandmother, Narayan completed his education in 1930 and briefly worked as a
teacher before deciding to devote himself to writing. His first novel, Swami and Friends (1935), is
an episodic narrative recounting the adventures of a group of schoolboys. That book and much of
Narayan’s later works are set in the fictitious South Indian town of Malgudi. Narayan typically
portrays the peculiarities of human relationships and the ironies of Indian daily life, in which
modern urban existence clashes with ancient tradition. His style is graceful, marked by genial
humour, elegance, and simplicity.
Among the best-received of Narayan’s 34 novels are The English Teacher (1945), Waiting for the
Mahatma (1955), The Guide (1958), The Man-Eater of Malgudi (1961), The Vendor of
Sweets (1967), and A Tiger for Malgudi (1983). Narayan also wrote a number of short stories;
collections include Lawley Road (1956), A Horse and Two Goats and Other Stories (1970), Under the
Banyan Tree and Other Stories (1985), and The Grandmother’s Tale (1993). In addition to works of
nonfiction (chiefly memoirs), he also published shortened modern prose versions of two Indian
epics, The Ramayana (1972) and The Mahabharata (1978).
All of his novels are concerned with the questions of identity and a hunt for equilibrium. Moreover,
the novels also illustrate the implicit faith in the inspirational and mystical nature of God and fate.
Most of his novels end with the detachment of the protagonist from the worldly cares and issue.
The novel The Vendor of Sweets is a fictional reality and give a fairy-tale feeling. The novel is
written in 1967. It illustrates the conflict between modern culture and traditional Indian culture.
The western society may object the Jagan’s (the protagonist) believes of a “free man” by moving
away from his work, son and acquaintances for the sake of calmness and detachment. Yet, Narayan
is writing wholly from an Indian perspective, not Western.
Vendor of Sweets was published in year 1967. The village Malgudi plays an important part in
Narayan novel as we see it deals with the physical features, people, life, custom, habits, manners,
traditions, language etc. Malgudi forms the setting to all the work of Narayan. It is typically a South
Indian town. It has been presented in his works vividly and realistically.
Chapter one
‘Conquer the taste, and you will have conquered the self,’ said Jagan to his listener.
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LITERATURE: The aesthetic excellence

What is natural salt?

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When his son was six years old he was a happy supporter of Jagan’s tanning activities in the back
verandah of the house…… but as he grew older he began to complain….
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Throw away the leather.’ In difference to what was possibly her last wish.
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You have perfected the art of living on nothing.

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LITERATURE: The aesthetic excellence
I cannot understand why you go on working and earning and taking all these trouble.
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The time was six, the peak sales were over and the front-stall boy would be bringing the main
collection for the day.
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As long as frying and sizzling noise in the kitchen continued……

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Tomorrow no jilebi.
When his staff was gone he put awayhis scripture book and pulled the drayer of his table half out: it
was padded with a folded towel in order to muffle the sound of coins….
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LITERATURE: The aesthetic excellence

He made an entry in a small notebook, and then more elaborated entries in a ledger which could
be inspected by anyone.
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Jagan is the vendor of sweets. He has staff of four. The kitchen is in the back, from where he
supervisors. At the time novel opens, Jagan is a widower of about sixty. His wife died long ago and
he didn't marry again. He used to wear a loose Jibba and Dhoti. Both made of material spun with
his own hand. Everyday he used to spun for an hour.
Jagan not only a vendor of sweets but also a follower of Ghandhi . He follows Ghandhis principles
blindly. He hates slaughtering animals.
Every morning Jagan used to read Bagavath Geetha and gave instructions from time to time to his
staff. His daily routine has brought in chapter one.
This chapter is expository in nature. We are introduced to Jagan , the hero of the novel and his
ways. We are also told of his son Mali, who would play a such a crucial role in the novel and would
be the cause of his undoing. We also get instances of Narayan's inimitable irony which plays over
all.
‘The surroundings were hushed when master counted his earnings for the day. Although the boy at
the front stall received the cash; he was not supposed to know the total. He just dropped every
paisa he received into a long-necked bronze jug, he brought it on at six o’ clock, returned to his seat
and brought in another instalment in a in a smaller container at seven, when the shutters were
drawn. Jagan would not count the cash yet, but continued to read his Lord’s sayings.’
1. What is the situation referred to in the passage? Where does it take place?
2. Who is referred to as ‘master’ in this extract? Why would he not count the cash yet?
3. What do the following phrases mean?
a. Another installment
b. Lord’s sayings
4. What sort of notion about the master is brought out through this passage?

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