book review of swami and friends

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Swami and Friends | Book Review | 1935 | R. K. Narayan

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

R. K. Narayan is Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami, commonly known as R. K. Narayan, was born on October 10, 1906 in Madras (Chennai). He is popular for his stories based in the fictional town called Malgudi. Narayan used humor as an effective tool to highlight different social issues. He received the second and third highest civilian awards of India, namely the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan , for his exemplary work in the field of writing. He was also honored with the AC Benson Medal by the Royal Society of Literature, in addition to a Sahitya Akademi Fellowship.

Narayan breathed his last on May 13, 2001 in Chennai.

Swami and Friends is R. K. Narayan’s first published work. The novel depicts the life and adventures of young Swami and his friends. Ten-year-old Swami leads a mundane life. Like all kids his age, he hates doing homework and is afraid to go to school. Swami and his four friends – Mani, Pea, Shankar and Rajam – are the central characters in the story. The five boys live in Malgudi, a fictional town located on the banks of river Sarayu. While all of them have different personalities, the five friends are all passionate about the Malgudi Cricket Club (MCC).

Swami is especially close to Rajam, who is a new admission to the school. Rajam is a bright boy who has the guts to stand up to Mani, the overlord of the class. He can speak English like the haughty Englishmen. Swami is so bedazzled by the charisma of Rajam that his friends start calling him “the tail of Rajam”.

Swami and Rajam’s friendship is put to the test when Swami, inspired by the unrest in India in 1930, is caught throwing stones at the headmaster’s office. Rajam does not appreciate Swami’s participation in such anti-government activities and is forced to end their friendship.

WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT SWAMI AND FRIENDS

The central theme of the book is childhood. The author has beautifully highlighted how children are influenced by their community and surroundings. The lighthearted take on the dual nature of human beings resonates with readers. The author’s depiction of Swami’s relations with his parents, teachers, friends and grandmother is quite endearing. Equally adorable is Narayan’s effortless portrayal of a myriad of emotions such as innocence, love, haste, naughtiness, envy and optimism.

WHAT WE DID NOT LIKE ABOUT SWAMI AND FRIENDS

Nothing, really. Swami and Friends is a masterpiece from R.K. Narayan. The short, crisp novel appeals to all types of readers. The book is rather perfect in almost every aspect.

Swami and Friends is just about the ideal book for beginners. The author’s use of humor and wit make this a fairly interesting read. Even though the book is set in the pre-Independence era, the author’s clarity makes the story really relatable even in this age. While reading through the chapters, you can actually relate to each and every character. Adult readers will do well not to catch themselves recollecting their school days with a grin. All in all, this timeless piece is a perfect read for children and grown-ups alike.

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Book Review- Swami and Friends by RK Narayan

Book: Swami and Friends Author: RK Narayan      Swami and Friends is the story of the tumultuous friendship of Swaminathan, his four childhood friends, and a new boy named Rajam. It takes place in British-colonial India in the year 1930. The story begins by introducing Swaminathan and his friends Somu, Sankar, Mani, and Pea. Swami talks about how different all of his friends are from one another and how their differences actually make their friendships stronger. Soon, however, a new boy arrives, named Rajam who Swami and Mani absolutely hate. It isn’t until the three boys confront each other that they realize they have a lot in common, and become fast friends. After a lot of convincing, the other three boys accept Rajam too and the six boys are temporarily at peace.      Later, a prominent Indian politician is arrested and Swami joins a mob of protesters. He gets swept up in the fervor of the crowd and uses a rock to destroy school property. When the crowd is broken apart, Swami is left to face the consequences of his actions. Not only is Swami forced to switch to a more strict and rigorous school, but Rajam is hurt by the actions of his friend, making their friendship unstable.      In order to fix his friendship with Rajam, Swami must atone for his actions; he decides to partner with Rajam to create their very own cricket team called the M.C.C. The two boys are intensely passionate about the team, but tensions rise as Swami’s strict school and intense workload get in the way of his commitment. Rajam threatens to never speak to Swami again if he misses the match of the year.      Despite his best efforts, Swami is forbidden by his strict headmaster from leaving early to go to his daily practices. In a rage, Swami throws his headmaster’s cane out of the window. Then, terrified of the repercussions, Swami decides to run away from Malgudi for good and never return. While fleeing, he becomes lost and wanders aimlessly until he is rescued. He has missed the M.C.C. match he swore to go to. Already knowing his best friend may never speak to him again, Swami finds out from his friend Mani that Rajam is leaving the next morning to move to a new city with his family.      In a desperate attempt to make amends, Swami rushes to the train station the next morning with a book he intends to give to Rajam as a way to make peace. He nearly misses the train’s departure and looks at his best friend through the window, who still refuses to speak to him. Mani must hand him the book, as he would not take it from Swami. The story ends as the train pulls away and Swami is left wondering if his friend will write and if he is forgiven.      This book is a thought-provoking read, perfect for a child between the ages of 7 and 12. The conflict that arises throughout the book between Swaminathan and his friends are problems that many children face today. For example, towards the beginning of the book, Swami and his four original friends do a great job of seeing the positives of their differences, but struggle to see the good in Rajam. It is important to show young readers the importance of making new friends and adjusting to changes that may occur among the friends you already have. Another lesson that is present in the book is the importance of using your words to express how you feel, rather than your actions. When Swami is upset about the politician who was arrested, he chooses to go out and join a mob rather than talk to his parents or a teacher to express his feelings. Even if he didn’t start with the intention to damage school property, the power of the mob mentality and peer pressure are evident in Swami’s actions and he is adequately punished for what he chose to do. Similarly, at Swami’s new school, he gets very angry at his headmaster and expresses this by throwing his cane out the window instead of using his words to explain his frustration. The consequence of this was the guilty feeling he got from his actions that caused him to run away and miss the cricket game. In both cases, children can see that Swami could have avoided a lot of trouble if he had taken a deep breath and used his words to explain how he felt, instead of only using actions. Finally, the ending of this book is not what you would consider your classic happy ending. In fact, the reader is left wondering if Rajam ever forgave Swami for the way he treated him. While this ending may seem unsatisfying to some, I believe that is the point and that children who read this story will have a more accurate depiction of the world they live in after they read it. I think it is important to show them that not every story has a happy ending and this is one of those stories. Works Cited Narayan, RK. Swami and Friends. 1935 Hamilton

21 Responses

nice review!!

nice review

Hello Team.This review was nice.and it helped me a lot to understand this story.iam also going to write a story like this.and I give 10/10 for this as iam a teacher of dubai.

Thank you much for a review it helped me a lot in doing assignments it helped me to understand the whole plot of the story now i can also answer the questions orally related to this chapter thanks a lot ❤😊

hi everyone it was a good story it helped me a lot in my assignments

hi everyone it was a nice one thanks bye

Really helpful and supportive. A MERITORIOUS effort indeed!! Thanks 🙏🙏

Super story

It helped me in my assignment 😃😃

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Only about one story

It helped me a lot in my assignments…😊😊😃😃

Good it’s help to do my holiday homework

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Thought Realms

Book Review - Swami and Friends by R. K. Narayan

Swami and Friends, the debut novel of R K Narayan is about a ten-year-old boy Swami, whose life mainly consists of having fun with his friends and tolerating the adults around him.

The novel is set in British India in a small town called Malgudi. Malgudi is a town by the river Sarayu -which glistens like a silver belt where Swami and his friends spend hours eating lime pickles while dangling their feet in the river.

Swaminathan's best friends were Somu - who was the monitor of the class, Mani - the mighty good for nothing, the brilliant Sankar, Samuel - the "pea", and Rajam - the police super intender's son (need I say more!).

He is also one of the founders of MCC - Malgudi Cricket Club which is one of his greatest passions. He's an excellent bowler and the team wouldn't do well without him. He goes to practice every day after school.

This book also shows the contrast between the lives of the different classes of people. While Swami lived in a small house, his room being one corner of his father's office, he eats homemade food for tiffin (snacks) and cold coffee, his best friend Rajam has his own room with a shelf full of toys and a cook who brings out yummy snacks and hot coffee. Swami is struck with awe when he visits Rajam's house and is very pleased when Rajam gives one of his toys to him.

The author establishes a child's world through Swami, who goes through the rollercoasters of life - happy one day after adventures with his friends and running away from home after getting suspended from two schools. The book is pleasantly detailed about his relationship with his grandma who always listens to what he has to say, his adoration for his baby brother, and the scary looks of his father when he wants to run out to play before finishing his homework.

One of the scenes I enjoyed reading is when Swami has his examinations. He finishes the paper very early and waits for at least one other person to go out of the class before him. He finally cooks up the courage to submit his work and go out, only to realize that his friends are still writing. He waits for a long time being bored out of his mind. His peers finally come out and discuss their answers. Swami then realizes that for an essay question for which his friends had written more than one page, he had only written a sentence. His confidence shatters but conceals it from his friends. Reading this took me back to my school days where I experienced the same as Swami. I always finished early and had whispered arguments with my friends asking them to submit the paper first.

Reading Swami and Friends and all other books by R K Narayan is fun to read and is very relatable to our childhood days.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this review and I hope you take the time to read the book. Let me know which part of this book you can most relate to.

For people who prefer watching a story instead of reading, you can watch the television series ( YT Link ) that was started in 1986.

Happy Reading!

Ready for more?

Timeless Tale Set In British India: Reviewing R.K. Narayan’s ‘Swami And Friends’

‘Swami And Friends’ by R.K. Narayan is a 1935 novel set in British India. It is the first book in a series featuring the fictional town of Malgudi. The other two books in the trilogy are named ‘The Bachelor of Arts’ and ‘The English Teacher’.

‘Swami And Friends’ is considered a part of children’s literature due to its focus on the adventures and experiences of a young boy named Swaminathan (protagonist) and his friends. The novel’s themes, simple language, and engaging storytelling make it suitable for young readers, though it also appeals to adults for its nostalgic and vivid portrayal of childhood in pre-independence India.

It is worth noting that the tales of ‘ Malgudi Days ’ were adapted into a popular television serial, and the stories of Swaminathan and his friends have become iconic in Indian literature and media. These stories are widely recognized and cherished across generations in India.

Let us discuss why ‘Swami And Friends’ is just fit to be your next read…

Intrinsic Features Of ‘Swami And Friends’

The setting.

Malgudi, the quintessential small-town India of the early 20th century, serves as a microcosm of Indian society, with its dusty roads, bustling market, temples, schools, and residential neighborhoods. It is instrumental in leaving behind a legacy of classics written by R.K. Narayan. Located somewhere in the Indian state of Karnataka, Malgudi provides cohesive uniformity to the background of all his short stories and novels.

Malgudi is depicted with rich detail, capturing the day-to-day lives of its residents, their traditions, and the subtle influences of British colonial rule. The town’s layout and atmosphere provide a vivid backdrop for the adventures and misadventures of Swami and his friends. Through Narayan’s descriptions, readers can visualize the school where Swami studies, the Mission School playground where they play cricket, and the various landmarks that become central to their stories.

Malgudi comes alive as a character itself in R.K. Narayan’s stories, vividly portraying everyday life in a small Indian town during the British Raj. Through its depiction, readers experience the blend of traditional Indian values and the impact of colonial influences. Narayan’s portrayal of Malgudi reflects his ability to capture a specific time and place in Indian history, sparking nostalgic memories and prompting reflections on India’s colonial past. Malgudi, therefore, marks an intrinsic place in the literary landscape.

The Narrative

Narayan’s narrative style is often praised for its simplicity and clarity. Through his straightforward use of language, Narayan delves into profound themes and the deeper meanings of life, making his stories easily accessible and their themes readily understandable. His writing is rich with humor, irony, and subtle observations of human nature and society.

Narayan’s narratives often reflect the everyday lives of ordinary people, capturing the essence of Indian culture and traditions with authenticity. His characters are well-developed and relatable, often portrayed with a mix of flaws and virtues that make them realistic and endearing. For instance, Swami’s father is strict and demanding, yet he is also caring and concerned about his son’s future, reflecting the complexities of parental relationships and the balancing act between discipline and affection. Similarly, his friends are a diverse group, each with distinct personalities and quirks. Rajam is confident and assertive, often taking the lead in their adventures, while Mani is strong and loyal, providing a sense of stability and protection. These multifaceted portrayals make Swami’s friendships both believable and relatable.

One of the hallmarks of Narayan’s narrative style is his ability to blend the mundane with the profound. He weaves intricate tales from the seemingly trivial details of daily life, revealing deeper truths about human existence. This is evident in the simple adventures of Swami and his friends, such as playing cricket, dealing with school, and navigating friendships. These little experiences of Swami’s childhood portrayed in the novel illuminate larger themes of childhood innocence, the struggle for independence, and the clash between tradition and modernity.

Another major aspect of the narrative includes the way Narayan paints a rich tapestry of the socio-cultural landscape of the time. He captures the coexistence of traditional Indian customs with the influences of British colonial rule. The influence of Western ideals on the younger generation, contrasted with the older generation’s adherence to traditional values, provides a vivid picture of a society in transition.

This could be seen in the very first incident, where Swami is harshly treated by the scripture headmaster who belittles the Hindu religion while comparing it to Christian parables. In response, Swami’s father writes a letter to the principal, defending his son’s right to question and criticizing the headmaster’s strict behavior.

‘Swami And Friends’ deals with key themes like:

• Childhood and innocence- The novel captures innocence, curiosity, and imaginative escapades of Swaminathan and his friends. N. Ram critiques, ‘Narayan’s picture of the simple, everyday world of childhood is done with an eye for detail and a touch of humor that captures the essence of innocence’.
• Friendship- Friendship is central to the story as Swami navigates the complexities of relationships with his schoolmates, particularly with Rajam and Mani.
• Conflict of generations- Swami’s struggle with authority figures such as the headmaster and his father, portrays the generational conflict. The idea of both freedom and autonomy is viewed differently by both generations.
• Identity and cultural roots- Questions of identity and cultural heritage, particularly through Swami’s interactions with traditions, rituals, and societal expectations showcase the tension between embracing traditional values and navigating the influences of modernity and colonial education.
• Colonialism and national identity- Given the setting, the novel portrays the aspirations for independence and cultural autonomy, as well as the challenges faced by Indians in reconciling their own identity with colonial influences. According to critic Meenakshi Mukherjee , ‘Narayan’s narrative strategy is to portray his characters as being in a perpetual state of struggle against an alien culture’.
• Education and knowledge- ‘Swami And Friends’ critiques the rigid educational system under British rule while highlighting Swami’s quest for knowledge and understanding beyond formal schooling.
• Coming of age- The novel traces Swami’s growth, maturation, and self-discovery as he navigates the complexities of childhood, friendships, and societal expectations. It portrays the challenges and lessons learned on the journey to adulthood.

At length, ‘Swami and Friends’ is a quick read that transports you to 20th-century India, still under British colonial rule. The story beautifully captures the small, poignant moments and the uncertainties of growing up, resonating deeply with every reader. The narrative is strikingly realistic, leaving a lasting impact and fostering a strong connection to Indian history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story of swami and friends.

The story of ‘Swami and Friends’ is centered around the 9-year-old protagonist, Swaminathan and his friends- Rajam, Mani, Somu, Shankar, and Matar. It is a coming of age novel that describes various experiences of Swami’s life that shape his mindset and personality, answering innumerable questions he gets to have as a child belonging to 20th century colonial India.

Who is Swami’s best friend?

Rajam, the son of a police superintendent, becomes one of Swami’s major interests early on in the story. Swami is eager to befriend Rajam, drawn to his charisma and leadership qualities. Despite also having a close friendship with Mani, Swami’s desire to be accepted by Rajam and his circle of friends is a significant part of the novel’s narrative.

What is the theme of Swami and Friends?

The themes of ‘Swami and Friends’ include childhood innocence, friendship, coming of age, generational conflicts, identity and cultural roots, and the clash between tradition and modernity in pre-independence India. The novel’s thematic richness is praised by many critics and it tends to mark its own place in the literary landscape.

Is Swami and Friends worth reading?

The novel ‘Swami and Friends’ resonates with people of all ages. As a part of children’s literature, it intrigues children into learning about the life and experiences of Swaminathan, the protagonist who is only 9 years of age. Adults find nostalgia and relatability in the stories of Swaminathan and in friends, set in pre-independence India.

Jennis Jacob, a passionate literary enthusiast in her 20s, is a writer and poet. With eight years of experience in literature, she is currently a master in English and finds inspiration in Womanist, American, and Indian Partition Literatures. Her works have appeared in anthologies such as ‘Carved Words Of Creative Minds’ and ‘100 Splendid Voices,’ and she is working on upcoming books. Through LitWithASip, she aims to ignite a love for literature and empower individuals to embrace their true selves.

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Book Review: Swami and Friends

Ashok Subramanian

Certain books define coming of age for an English fiction reader. Sherlock Holmes, Famous Five, Hercule Poirot…the list goes on. Some of us have different lists, but in a readers’ group it would be astonishing that if we have skipped the must-reads, it is a blot in our readership career.

Most Indian readers grow with European classics and jump to American pulp fiction. Yet, the magical experience of reading fiction by Indian Authors without the weight of history and religion is probably the one I would most cherish.

RK Narayan is probably the most eminent writer of this genre — light fiction — any day, any time read, with a flow that rivals native English writers. Humor and irony are his mainstay, yet it does not devolve into satire because his characters carry with them the whole baggage of their attributes.

Swami and Friends is a beautifully crafted series of short stories, connected by the characters. In today’s parlance, this would turn as a novel, and if televised a series with couple of seasons and multiple episodes.

I picked the book from my nieces, because I was reading another one ‘The Financial Expert’ by RK Narayan again, so wanted to push this ahead in the pipeline.

Cover, Title, Plot:

Swami and Friends is a simple title that summarizes the characters. The protagonist, Swaminathan, is a resident of Malgudi, the fictitious town that RKN created for most of his stories.

The cover illustration is by RK Laxman , his illustrious cartoonist brother, who is a wizard on his own. The beauty of the cover brings out the three characters— Mani , with his club on the left, Swami, with his confused look in the middle, and Rajam , the rich son of the Deputy Superintendent of Police.

Swami is a lazy school boy, who prefers to while away his time, than concentrate on studies. He lives with his Father, Mother, and Granny in Malgudi. He attends the Albert Mission School with his friends Samuel, Sankar, Somu, and Mani. The arrival of a new student, Rajam — the son of a wealthy police superintendent — threatens Swami’s popularity. After an initial rivalry, Swami and Rajam reconcile and become friends.

Swami takes part in a Gandhian movement ( including burning the Lancashire cap which turns out to be Khadar) and runs away from his Albert Mission School as he is held guilty for pelting stones and breaking windows. He ends up in the more rigorous Board High School.

Rajam, Swami and their friends form a cricket team called Malgudi Cricket Club ( MCC) and challenge another team. Swami is their bowling spearhead and is called ‘Tate’, after the famous Maurice Tate. But Swami is not able to turn up for practice because of his strict school routine, which prompts an intervention by Rajam that turns nasty for Swami. Swami runs away from Board High when the head master canes him.

He wanders into the nearby woods and is lost. ‘Ranga’ a cart-man, brings him to his family through the DSP and the District Forest Officer. While Swami is still figuring out the adulations and attention he is getting from his family and friends, the shocking news that MCC has lost the match. Rajam breaks their friendship and Swami is heart broken.

A few days later, he learns that Rajam is moving out of Malgudi, because of his father’s transfer. Heartbroken, he desperately tires to see Rajam, along with Mani. He tries to gift Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales to him. As they shout, Rajam’s reply is lost in the din of the train engine.

The magical world of Swami:

The world of Swami, a 10 year old boy is magical, like Harry Potter ( not the sorcery, but the saga itself). He has his little dreams and loads of hope. There are friends those who he loves and headmasters who he hates. He is imaginative (as we find out when he is lost in the jungles of Malgudi), believes in the paranormal (‘that dark hidden thing behind’) and fictitious enemies.

His friendship arcs with the development of characters like Mani and Rajam, contrasting contemporaries, yet grow into bosom pals. His views and interactions with his family — Father, Mother, Granny and little brother Subbu are the little things that we enjoy, as we explore RKN’s vivid narration of Swami’s dilemma, confusion and innocence. His response to figures of authority — his father, the head masters, Rajam’s father et al is brings smile to our faces.

Believe me, Swami’s world is as magical as Harry Potters.

A Book for all ages:

If somebody wants to visit the small town India under colonial rule, this book is a great piece. We see the world through the eyes of a small town kid, who is self-doubting, dull and lazy, and full of idiosyncrasies. We see the times of Swamis life, yet the timelessness of RKN’s Chekovian humor.

Add this book into the ‘must read’ path for every readership career.

~Ashok Subramanian

Written by Ashok Subramanian

A poetic mind. Imagines characters, plots. Loves Philosophy, Literature and Science. Poetry-Short Stories-Novels- Poetry Reviews-Book Reviews

Text to speech

A breezy & intense eternal teen with a zest for the here and the now

Book Review – Swami and friends by R.K. Narayan

Now the kids are not only independent readers but have also acquired a discerning taste when it comes to selecting books to read and they spare no words in sharing their rave reviews or critical feedback. A development that has me reminiscing about the good old days of easily picking up books that all three of us agreed upon readily for reading aloud. So it was a pleasant surprise when we were able to find a book that intrigued and enticed us in equal measure, prompting us to give it a try. A book that we could actually take turns to read aloud together. Something that we seem to be doing less of, these days, as the kids are growing older and growing apart when it comes to reading interests…choice of themes, genres and authors.

The book we picked needs no introduction. It is “Swami and Friends” by master storyteller R.K. Narayan. In my opinion it is a book that is written with childlike abandon and is one that does not take itself seriously and therein lies its allure. It is set in 1930s India in a small fictional place called Malgudi in the South and it shares a smooth and eloquent account of the days, marked with quaintness, uniqueness and idiosyncrasies of that bygone era, told through the eyes of a sensitive and imaginative boy who is around 10 years old. The narrative is in the form of a conversational flow of daily life events, scenes and observations and in the process creates endearing character sketches and also traces his relationships and interactions with nature, his family, friends, school and the rest of the outside world that he is exposed to. Some of the aspects left my kids astonished as they could not relate and were curious to understand the underlying mindset that could drive such behavior or events. For instance the event where the bullock cart is stopped by Swami and his friends or the rioting, corporal punishment, apart from a few other things that required explanation. The narrative sparkles as it lights up the rapid and lively progress of the book page after page with the wild whimsical spirit of childhood, vivid descriptions, laced with humour and sprinkled with tense and wistful moments. Warm, gentle and sometimes unexpected humour that tends to catch you unawares and soaks into your veins, leaving you happily chuckling or roaring with laughter. How often is it that the essence of the book reaches out and connects with the child within you and transports you so completely and seamlessly into a world steeped in timeless childhood charm, curiosity and sweet innocence that it actually feels like you are reliving your own childhood?! A world where a mathematical word problem makes you wonder about the ripeness of the fruits and the nature of the players involved in presenting the problem rather than delving into the dark realm of fractions to solve it, where well laid out plans with your friends can change in the blink of an eye, enmity can transform to friendship in a moment, a spider can captivate and distract while trying to dust the study table off cobwebs, wanting a cycle wheel to play with…with such intensity that it enters your dreams and drives you to attempt acquiring it with all the focus and enterprising ideas that you can muster till of course the focus shifts, performing last rites on an ant when it is presumed dead after having braved stormy waters in a paper boat, coffee drinking style that reflects the current mood and so many more… It also sustains a realistic feel of those times which were touched by social-political changes, riots, and portrays the protagonist Swaminathan as being not just an observer but also as someone who participates from the sidelines in an event inadvertently, getting carried away momentarily, without losing his innocent and naive outlook on life. So the effect is non-judgmental, non-questioning, non-preachy without any underlying social message, as perceived through the eyes of a middle-class privileged child who registers the strong emotions and scenes around him while retaining his simple and binary view of life.

And when you attempt a proper literary review of a book such as this, that does not take itself seriously… the whimsical child conjured up in the mind, after reading the book, shudders with horror and refuses to let you pen down what it considers to be a boringly academic activity. And it passionately reminds you about indulging in and enjoying the simple things that life has to offer, appreciating childhood pleasures that happen to be the common thread that connects generations, without getting bogged down by the complexity of adult expectations.

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Swami and Friends

R. K. Narayan | 4.36 | 10,718 ratings and reviews

Ranked #26 in Indian Author , Ranked #92 in Indian

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Swami and Friends

By r. k. narayan.

• Swami and Friends Summary

The novel Swami and Friends is an episodic narrative that follows the daily life of Swaminatharian, a charismatic and lazy schoolboy, in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi with his father, mother, and granny. He attends the Albert Mission School and has an established cadre of friends, including Samuel "the Pea," Sankar , Somu , and Mani , but the arrival of a new boy in school, Rajam , son of the police superintendent who speaks English like a European, threatens Swami’s popular status. They become rivals, enemies even, but swiftly reconcile and become fast friends. Swami invites Rajam over to his house and gives orders for his family to change their behavior and clean up to put a good face for Rajam, whose family comes from more money. Swami’s old friends—the Pea, Sankar, and Somu—feel abandoned by his budding friendship with Rajam and begin calling Swami “Rajam’s tail” to humiliate him. Rajam eventually brings everyone together to his house and urges them to reconcile and get along, bribing them with prizes, which ends up working.

Swami and Rajam, along with Mani, a tall strong boy who can beat up almost anyone, become a loyal trio. Swami gets into some trouble with another boy, the coachman’s son, after trying to get enough money to buy a wheel. Interrupting their provincial play is a nationalist strike as part of Gandhi's non-cooperation movement. Swami is swept up in the frenzy of the crowd and throws stones at the window of the headmaster's room, breaking it. The crowd of protestors is broken up by the policemen who violently beat the protestors, led by Rajam’s father, the superintendent.

The next day, the headmaster questions and punishes him and all the students who were missing from school. Swami, acutely distressed, runs away from the school, muttering, “I don’t care for your dirty school.” He is kicked out of the missionary school and enrolls in the Board High School, deemed a more inferior institution. Rajam forgives Swami for his “political sins” and posits that they start a cricket club, which he crowns the Malgudi Cricket Club or M.C.C. for short. They gather their friends together and practice, but Swami arrives late to every practice because he is kept at school until late in the afternoon. Rajam grows exasperated by Swami’s tardiness and, with a friendly match coming up, coerces Swami to plead with the headmaster to let Swami leave class early for his cricket practice. The headmaster declines. Swami becomes desperate and asks a doctor to give him a certificate allowing him to leave early. The doctor refuses, but says that he will speak to the headmaster. Swami begins leaving class early for cricket class, until the headmaster comes in and calls his truancy out in front of the classroom. The headmaster begins beating Swami, who is overcome with a mix of rage and humiliation. He takes the cane out of the headmaster’s hands, throws it out the window, and runs away.

After the incident, Swami believes that he is doomed, kicked out of the two high schools, unable to face his father’s wrath at home. He sees his only option is to escape the town entirely, only coming back anonymously to play the cricket game. He wanders off but gets lost and very hungry and begins to miss his home. He regrets his decision to escape. He begins having wild, scary dreams and falls asleep on the road, where he is picked up by a man carrying a cart. Meanwhile, his father has been roaming the town looking for him and his mother and granny are very anxious. When the man identifies Swami, he calls his parents and they pick him up. Swami is relieved to be found but upset when Mani tells him that he missed the cricket match and that M.C.C. lost. Rajam declares that he no longer cares for Swami and they stop being friends. One night, Mani divulges to Swami that Rajam and his family are leaving Malgudi permanently because his father got transferred to another city. Swami wakes up early the next day to say goodbye to Rajam at the train station and give him a gift, a volume of Hans Christen Anderson’s Fairy Tales. They manage to wriggle their way through the crowd of police officers who are sending Rajam's family off, and Swami and Rajam face each other. Swami cries out that Rajam is going away and when will he ever come back? Rajam opens his mouth to respond, but his response is lost in the locomotion of the trains as it chugs away. Mani runs alongside the train and gives Rajam the gift of books. The train leaves, and Swami cries, wondering if Rajam will ever think about him again, and Mani tries to console him by saying that Rajam will write letters to Swami, but his answer seems flimsy and his face inscrutable.

Swami and Friends Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Swami and Friends is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Analyse the author's choice to tell story from Swami's point of view ?

Swami is just an interesting character to see life through. There is an innocent honesty and playful stubbornness about him that makes even the mundane entertaining. Swami is an honest boy of seven but, on the other hand, he also does not hesitate...

How does viewing the events from Swami's point of view affect the plot?

What religion does Dr. Ebenezer try to discredit at the beginning of the novel in R.K. Narayan’s Swami and Friends?

He uses his lectures to degrade Hinduism and argue for the superiority of Christianity.

Study Guide for Swami and Friends

Swami and Friends study guide contains a biography of R. K. Narayan, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Swami and Friends
• Character List

Lesson Plan for Swami and Friends

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
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Swami and Friends

R. k. narayan.

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Book Review – Swami And Friends by R.K Narayan

The Author of the Novel

Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami commonly known as R. K. Narayan, was an Indian writer known for his work set in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. In his long career he published fourteen novels, over two hundred short stories, a memoir, two travel books, innumerable essays, and two plays. His first novel was Swami and Friends (1935). Sahitya Academy Award winner ,”The Guide ”was adapted for the film winning a Filmfare Award for Best Film and for Broadway. And He was Also Awarded Padama Bhushan And Padama Vibhushan.

Preface  the Novel

The Novel “Swami and Friends” was written by famous Indian author RK Narayan in 1935, This is a friendship based Book. The full story of this Book is based on Swami and his friends live in the small town of Malgudi in Southern India. Swami and Friends was written between the first and second world wars . A literary Period of notable creative experimentation that likely encouraged Narayan in his mission to create uniquely personal comedic depiction of his remembered childhood.

Theme of the Novel

The whole story revolve around the  10-year-old boy Swami. He is an unconstrained, indiscreet, wicked but then also an exceptionally honest child. His character is a kid in the fullest feeling of the world. How he grows up, his mischiefs which made his family irritated, his wonder, growing pains and innocence and many aspects are being portrayed in the novel. He lives in a universe of bossy grown-ups. He is a student at Albert Mission School. It is a British established school where importance is given to Christianity and English education.

Characterisation of the Novel

Swami is the central character of the plot.. As a child, he goes to school where he does not like studies and gets bored easily. He is an honest boy of seven but, on the other hand, he also does not hesitate telling lies to his father. He loves his granny’s stories. He is good at cricket and is nicknamed “Tate.” Later in the course of the novel, he became bolder and socially prominent.

Mani is one of the closest friends of Swami. He is known as “the mighty good for  nothing.” Swaminathan was proud of his friendship.

Rajam is the son of the Police Superintendent and one of Swami’s closest  friends. Rajam is new to Swami’s school at the start of the novel, and initially Swami and Mani view him as an enemy due to his quick wits, fine clothes, and fearless nature.

Shankar is another bosom friend of Swami. He is a brilliant boy of the class.. He could speak to the teachers in English in the open class

Swami’s another bosom friend was Samuel, the Pea. He was called the Pea as he was very small in size.

Somu, the monitor of the class. He was set about his business, whatever it was, with absolute confidence and calmness. He was known to be chummy even with the teachers.

Swami’s father, W.T. Srinivasan, is an imposing figure who works at the courts and is usually strict with Swami. Swami sometimes feels afraid of his father, but at other times he turns to him for help and support

Swami’s mother appears in the novel only occasionally, usually in the context of providing Swami with something he wants or backing him up in an argument with his father.

Swami’s grandmother, whom he calls Granny, is an old woman who lives with Swami and his mother and father. Swami views Granny as ancient and sometimes embarrassing, but she is also a source of comfort and security during times of change, particularly when Swami’s brother is born.

Conclusion of the Novel

The moral of swami and friends the book written by RK Narayan is it reminds us about our childhood memories such as mischief’s in childhood, plucking mangoes etc. and in short it briefly explains the sweetness of childhood and importance of friendship.  His father use to say you must rise up early to study and “remember boy, your examination is not going to wait but your granny can!”. Therefore this paragraph teaches us that  “never force any child too much to study”, as a first life lesson from swami & friends.

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Swami and Friends Paperback – January 1, 2008

• Language English
• Publisher Indian Thought Publications
• Publication date January 1, 2008
• Dimensions 7.87 x 1.57 x 9.84 inches
• ISBN-10 8185986002
• ISBN-13 978-8185986005
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Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Indian Thought Publications; First Edition (January 1, 2008)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8185986002
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8185986005
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.5 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.87 x 1.57 x 9.84 inches
• Best Sellers Rank: #1,461,760 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books )

About the author

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SWAMI AND FRIENDS, R.K. Narayan Paperback – 1 December 2008

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• Reading age 12 years and up
• Print length 91 pages
• Language English
• Dimensions 20 x 4 x 25 cm
• Publisher INDIAN THOUGHT PUBLICATIONS
• Publication date 1 December 2008
• ISBN-10 8185986002
• ISBN-13 978-8185986005
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About the author, product details.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ INDIAN THOUGHT PUBLICATIONS; Edition (1 December 2008); INDIAN THOUGHT PUBLICATIONS
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 91 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8185986002
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8185986005
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 184 g
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 20 x 4 x 25 cm
• Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ India
• Importer ‏ : ‎ BW Ecommerce Pvt Ltd
• Packer ‏ : ‎ BW Ecommerce Pvt Ltd
• Generic Name ‏ : ‎ Books
• #131 in Action & Adventure (Books)

About the author

R. k. narayan.

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Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 70% 21% 5% 1% 2% 70%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 70% 21% 5% 1% 2% 21%
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Customers say

Customers find the language simple and fluent, and the page quality good. They also say the book is excellent in depicting rural India and great for kids. Readers describe the storyline as wonderful and the content as funny and captivates them. They find the book very nostalgic.

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Customers find the book simple and easy to read. They also say the writing is expressive, relatable, and easy. Readers also mention that the page quality is good and the book is excellent in depicting rural India.

"A story that is fun and quick to read . Not much twist and turns." Read more

"...I can't explain enough how simple yet emotional this book is." Read more

"...The stories are crisp and simple to understand . The Doordarshan 's 90 TV show was based on this...." Read more

"...Best book to start your reading journey!This novel is epitome of simple yet expressive writing . Characters ,situations will make you feel nostalgic!..." Read more

Customers find the book great for kids and say it makes them live through their childhood again.

"...Things at some basic level still remain the same till today. Must read for all ages . Specially 10yr olds and their dads 😉!..." Read more

"A good book for the kids that they have enjoyed reading. It was delivered as expected and before time." Read more

" Good for kids reading " Read more

" Great for kids !" Read more

Customers find the storyline wonderful and praise the way it is told.

"...The stories are crisp and simple to understand. The Doordarshan 's 90 TV show was based on this...." Read more

"...He's a normal kid, a bit selfish, and this story is pretty realistic . It may have very well been anyones childhood! Makes for a very good read." Read more

"The story is as wonderful as the way it is told ..." Read more

"it is quietly pretty novel and very interesting to read. It describes the thoughts and imagination of the school students" Read more

Customers find the content of the book very good, capturing them with its humour. They also say the story of a boy is refreshing.

"Great item . Very humorous . Best to read during depression , makes feel happy . Good narration by Narayan sir ." Read more

"...RK Narayan's writing technique was unpretentious with a natural element of humour about it ...." Read more

"...A gush of childhood memories we definitely experience. Sense of humour is rich forte of RK.Narayan" Read more

"it is a very good book. it will make you laugh ." Read more

Customers find the book very nostalgic and an evergreen classic. They also say it's simple to read.

"...This actually brings back all the childhood memories that we would have had somewhere in the back of our mind...." Read more

"...Characters , situations will make you feel nostalgic ! You will love to re read this,childhood days will spring back in your memory...." Read more

"It's an evergreen classic . Simple to read." Read more

" So much memories . Each one of us can at least relate to one of these characters. And to think that no publisher wanted to print it!" Read more

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