#027 R.K. NARAYAN'S THE PAINTER OF SIGNS

I have spent the past few days reading the R.K. Narayan's novel "The Painter of Signs".

R.K. Narayan was one of the best Indian English Novelists.

His novels come with subtle humor. Sometimes, this lighter vein gives an impression to the reader, that the author is not serious, about the serious problems he is writing about.

The characters in this short novel (Can I say novelette!):

Protagonist : Raman. Youth. Painter of commercial sign boards. Takes orders from professionals and shopkeepers. Paints at his home, in the backyard shed, on the banks of a river. Falls in love with a girl named "Daisy".

Daisy : Ranks equally or even above Raman. Works in an organisation which spreads family planning. Left home early in life in search of avowed goals, particularly to live with greater freedom and objectivity. She dedicates herself to her task of spreading the message of family planning in remote Indian villages. She breathes family planning.

Raman's aunt : Nurses and nurtures Raman (parentless).

Other characters : Intended to generate humor. They are real-life.

Brief theme : Raman gets an engagement from Daisy to accompany her for writing walls in villages, to write family planning messages. Falls in love with Daisy, during the journeys.

Daisy appears to reciprocate. She loves him and even agrees to marry him, on her own terms. Raman informs his aunt about his proposed marriage to Daisy. His aunt being orthodox, unable to reconcile with a situation of her nephew marrying a Christian, leaves to Varanasi, to die there ultimately. (Hindus cherish the idea of dying on the banks of river Ganga, particularly at Varanasi).

Raman gets the marital home ready. Raman and Daisy agree on the date to marry. Even a premarital sexual intercourse takes place. Raman arranges a taxi to get Daisy to the marital home.

But Daisy decides to proceed ahead on her mission of family planning into the interior villages, leaving a forelorn Raman. Raman makes some noise, but it does not changes her, though she clinches his fist and pities him.

The story raises some important questions on human lives such as 'mission of life', purpose of marriage, impact of mysticism on gullible villagers etc.

Worth reading .
This is probably the best novel from R.K. Narayan. Apparently written in 1972.

I have a strong urge to discuss these and other questions, in this post someday.