It is past eleven thirty at night and i have just finished reading,Swami and Friends by RK Narayan.I have read it umpteen number of times before but it occurred to me to now that the last time i had read the classic which Grahame Green had so fondly described as 'one in ten thousand', was over a decade ago. Ten-twelve years ago, the work had left such an indelible impact upon my young and ridiculously innocent mind that I could never help getting lachrymose everytime i read or mulled over the scene in the last chapter in which Swami, the protagonist goes to the railway station at dawn to bid adieu to his best friend and idol, Rajam who is about to leave the town of Malgudi forever. Swami is overwhelmed with utter despondency at the thought that never again shall he get to see or be with Rajam again but the latter, in sharp contrast, is unfazed and even nonchalant to the plight of his friend. In the end, he deigns to accept a parting gift from Swami and even though he exchanges no words with the crest-fallen hero, the latter is hopeful that perhaps Rajam has forgiven him for his mistake...
The story of Swami and Friends with its simple, unassuming narration never failed to make me yearn for a friend like Swami or to entrench my view that true camaraderie is greatest of possessions in the whole, wide world. But these were my feelings years ago, when i was not yet capable of critical analysis of literaray texts, when i did not comprehend symbolism and its role in shaping the characters of the novel. I did not then know that the playground of the Albert Mission school was a microcosm of the colonial Indian society nor did i realise that how idyllic the life of Swami was, replete with innumerable heartbreaks and acts of revolution and bravado.
When i began to read the book again three days ago, I averred cynically, "Try to use your critical faculties in interpreting the droll antics of the ten years old Swami and you will not have to reach out for your handkerchief." But, here i am on the verge of tears again, having made a very unexpected kind of discovery. It, the book, enlightened me that why we-I, atleast-always seek to cherish friendships is not because in this ego-driven, treacherous world, it is wonderful to know people who wont unleash their egos or treachery on you but because-and my cynical self blanched at this discovery-friendship inspires us to be noble!
Swami had foibles galore yet his devotion and love for Rajam was the source of his salavation, enabling him to overcome his apprehensions and meet him; Rajam inspired him to be noble. What would you call me if i said that i desire to feel the same way for my friends? A maudlin fool, perhaps. Or a pretentious wastrel. But never mind those adjectives and nouns, i still want to feel that way. Thanks Swami!
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Swami and Friends is a story of a ten year old lad, Swaminathan or Swami, who plays the protagonist in the novel. He dwells in Malgudi, a small fictitious town in South India with his adoring mother, punctilious father and adulating grandmother and a new born minuscule sibling. He receives academic wisdom in Albert Mission school, a British decreed academy. The second episode of the book,"Rajam and Mani" introduces reader to his bosom pals who are described as antagonistic to each other. Mani is a barbarous type brusque boy, and his amity is loved by Swami. While Rajam who wears a white fur cap and resplendent tweed coat, belongs to upper class of the society as his father is a police superintendent. After their exams, in the holidays, R.K Narayan has embellished the novel with some astounding stupendous anecdotes with respect to childhood of the trio.
On 15 of August 1930, two thousand residents of the town protest against the arrest of Gauri shankar, a political leader. Swami join the resistance, saying with the crowd,"Bharat Mata ki Jai, Gandhi ki Jai, Gauri Shankar ki Jai" against the British rule. Engulfed with the essence of patriotism, Swami shatters the window panes of his school but to his misfortune the Principal of the British school glimpses him and on the very next day abolish him from the academy. After his father's scoldings, he is again admitted to the High board school which eventually isolate him from his two bosom pals.
Some weeks later, Rajam come to Swaminathan's home to grandly announce the axiom of M.C.C. (the Malgudi Cricket Club) and ask favour from him and when he see Swami's bowling attack he consider him the big enchilada and his team members baptize him "Tait", the paramount cardinal fast bowler of M.C.C. Rajam, Mani and their team members accredit a lot of time, patience, sweat and money in raising the M.C.C so that they take the chequered flag. But Swami, due to his school timings is not able to attend everyday's dose of practice and for this reason Rajam remain on pins and needles. Rajam increases his insist for his indispensable presence and after many damp squibs he bunks the school which ironically marks the end of his school life, he gets banished from his second and the only last school in Malgudi. Fearing of his punctilious father he absconds in the vast jungle of Malgudi. And on the day of the match, M.C.C keenly feel the paucity of their Tait, the whole enchilada goes opposite to Rajam's desire and they loose the match to Y.M.U (other cricket team). Rajam, completely traumatic circumvent Swami when he returns. But in the last chapter of the book, they patch up with Mani's endeavour :)
Promulgated in 1935, Swami and Friends which has 19 chapters, was Narayan's first novel. I completely the book in seven days and as the book is authored by R.K. Narayan, vocabulary was superb and you'll encounter with several new words and phrases. I enjoyed reading it as it helps in comprehending the psychology of a child and also made me remember my childhood. I, also do agree with Graham Greene (Narayan's friend) verdict," It is a book in ten thousand" and I rate it 10/10.
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