Indian thought: The Guide

It’s been 8 long years I owned a book called ‘The Guide’ by R. K Narayan. Although my momsy calls me a book freak I never touched it in all these years…but recently I did. And I am glad that I finally read it. I myself would have never bought this book…because of my prejudice that Indian authors don’t write good English novels…I apologize for it now! I’m seriously embarrassed about it at present.

I grabbed first position in English in the Mid Terms held in first year of grad year and I was given this book as a Prize. It was the year 2004; I had already read Sidney Sheldon, Danielle Steel, Paulo Coelho and the like. With lot of enthusiasm I opened the warped prize and was depressed to see “THE GUIDE”. I hated the college authorities for doing this to me, though I’m thankful now. I cursed the English teacher I had in first year and wished she may never teach me ever again. The whole life was squeezed out of me and rest of the day was so gloomy.

I came home and kept the book in between the discarded clothes…from my side, though according to my momsy…those very clothes were in and I looked gorgeous in them. (Maa ka pyar…you see!) I deliberately did not give The Guide, any place in my book cabinet. After all these years I had long forgotten about it, but this summer vacation I came across the book by chance. It had somehow got some place on the magazine rack. I picked it up and opened it and went to a flashback how I received the gift wrapped book and was so excited to have it until I opened it and the day suddenly became blue!

As I held the book in my hand I thought…2012 damn it’s been so many years and the book looks so fresh. Back in 2004, I had not read Shobha De, Chetan Bhagat and Durjoy Datta…and as per the literature history R. K Narayan had been a leading writer.

So, I started to read it…    

Much to my surprise, it is an amazing work of art. The book is beautifully written in such detail that I imagine myself in Malgudi railway station and wished to see railway Raju. The characteristics of both abstract things and human beings are so discreetly described and illustrated that I felt as if I know all of them in person. The so called villain had awesome shades of grey that you feel pity for him at times. Being a girl, I wished I too could do Bharatanatayam which leaves all spellbound. You got to read the book to feel it.

And the social issues are explained in such a realistic way that I felt ashamed of the society I live. I would share one of the hard truths of Indian mind…both Rosie (a married woman) and Raju (Guide/friend to her husband) fall in love, literally live together and have sex but when inquired about their relationship (by different people at different times) Raju says that she is like his sister and Rosie says that Raju is my brother. Mind you they have not discussed this that they would say that in case someone asked, they hardly had time and sense to talk. The book was written in 1958…even after 54 years the psychology of Indian young mind has not changed much…I know many who call their lovers pr beloveds as their cousins.  Then again the blind faith of people in Sadhus and Babas still prevails just the way it did in the novel. I never felt I’m reading a book written in late 1950s.    

First time, I felt like yes I have read an Indian novel, Indian author, Indian thought and Indian way of life. You got to read the book to feel it.