Swami and Friends in Malgugi

Picked up ‘Swami and Friends’ By R.K Narayanswami from Library few days back. The Character Swami from  Malgudi days TV series was part of out growing up in 87-88, though at that point of time as 9-10 yr old I did not understand the Pre-Independence India set up completely but for RK Narayan's narratives highlighting social context and providing a feel for his characters through everyday life, a fictional town that stood for reality, brought out the humour and energy of ordinary life, and displayed compassionate humanism,  the Title or the Signature music ‘Ta na na tana na na naaaaa…’ RK Laxamanan’s cartoons and the young boy Swami and his adventures,  we just could think of missing the series. Picking up the book after almost 30 years of watching the TV series was going back to those old ‘Malgudi Days’

It was interesting to read in the introduction of the book the ‘Swami and Friends’ is the first novel written by Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayanswami in year 1930 which was first published in year 1935 by the reputable English publisher Hamish Hamilton . What surprised me towards the end of the book was the cricket team and match and the enthusiasm which RKN has expressed so beautifully which made wonder – Cricket was a craze in 1930’s also, wonder why hockey became the National game of India ? :) Loved this book, a good read for children very simple  prose and diction but one will have to give them a good background of how things were in India before independence .  As RK Narayanaswami expressed his indebtedness to Graham Greene is inscribed on the inside cover of a copy of Swami and Friends Narayan presented to Greene: "But for you, Swami should be in the bottom of Thames now" could not have agreed more with him ….