The Vender of Sweets” As A Regional Novel.

“The Vender of Sweets” As A Regional Novel.

“The Vender of Sweets” As A Regional Novel.

“The Vender of Sweets” As Narayan’s India ness.

Discuss “Malgudi” as imaginary Indian town with Indian life in it.

Malgudi as a symbol or microscope of India.

Answer

Introduction:-

            In each work of R.K. Nayaran, we find Malgudi. It is an imaginary region which forms the background of each work. Whenever we read his work, we feel that Malgudi is quite realistic Indian town with Indian life in it. In “The Vender of sweets” Malgudi is represented with local traits and as a developing town. Considering there aspect we can call it as regional novel.

            A regional novel deals with background people, life, trades, custom, habits, manners, traditions, language etc of a particular locality. The selected region becomes a symbol of the large world. It is a mini copy or microcosm that reflects the great world beyond. Malgudi this way represents India and Indian life. Some people think that Malgudi may be calmbatore but it is not so. It is completely imaginative but we feel as is it is quite realistic.

Madgudi’s physical features:-

            Since the beginning of the novel, the readers are introduced with Malgudi town. Jagan has his sweet stall on Market Road. There is high school near his sweet-stall. On the way to his house there is Krishna Dispensary and Truth printing press where Jagan’s book on Nature cure is waiting to be published. There is Kabir Lane and statue of Sir Frederick Lawly. Malgudi is expanding and it becomes clear from the developing extensions. There are Lawly Extension, south Extensions and the New Extension. All there are stretched out beyond the statue. Once upon a time they were outside the city but now they are the part of the city and quite modern. There are other streets as Kabir street Anderson Lane, Vinayak Mudaliar Street, Abu Lane Hospital Road. There is river surya and Mempi Forest. There are his hills, garden beyond the city.

A Developing District Town:-

Malgudi is developing. There are horse carriages, cycles, scooter and even cars. His own son Mali travels by scooter and car. There are possibilities of telephone as Mali demands a phone for his purpose. Railways were since long. Jagan had gone to see Ambika by a train. There is high school, Albert Mission College. There are sweet marts Anand Bhavan Restaurant anther developed restaurant where European food was available. There are dispensary hospital, bus station, railway station, jail, police station etc. There is District Magistrate, supritendent of police, lawyer etc. There are possibilities to establish even a factory and Mali thinks over it very positively. He has convinced many people to invest money in it. In 1935 the palace Talkies was built in Malgudi Even Gandhiji had invested this city for the freedom movement and people like Jagan had followed his ideals for life time.

Social life :-

            Social life presented in “the vender of sweets” represents the Indian culture and Indian life. Description of Jagan’s house, his family, his childhood happiness and sorrows of the family are typical Indian Cousin sail of Anand Bhavan restaurant, China Dorai Jagan’ brother and represents the traits of human nature. The relationship of Jagan and Mali is universal and representing generation gap. The relationship of Jagan Ambika also presents a mass. There are social customs and social problems also. e.g. Engagement, marriage, pilgrimage, death conflicts in the family, money oriented quarrels, breaking tradition, punishment for crimes etc. When Jagan reduces the price of sweets the other merchants visit him and necessary decorum. Mali breaks the tradition and consequently suffers a lot. There is other relationship representiong Inian life e.g. Friendship, brother-brother, brother-sister, husband-wife, father-son. Etc. Even an American girl Grace loves India life and tradition. She takes care of her house like and tradition she takes care of her house like and Indian hose wife. She sweets the floor, cleans the utensils, cooks food, draws ‘Rangoli’, wears ‘sari’, fixes flower in hr hair. She gives respects to Jagan as a daughter-in-law.

4. Social customs:-

            Social customs are depicted very realistically. Jagan’s family used to celebrate festivals very enthusiastically. Many lamps were lighted and the house looked beautiful. The customs of engagement marriage, Dowry, pilgrimages are depicted very nicely. The brides were proposed by family members. Jagan went to see Ambika with his brother for the same purpose. Staring the girl was not allowed so many relatives used to gather at the brides’ place and welcomed proposed bridegroom. At Ambika’ place same thing had happened to Jagan. He was forbidden to stare her by his brother. Ambika’s family had served snacks and coffee, but Jagan had not to eat everything. After selecting the girl, it was it was turn of marriage. Though Jagan was very much exited he had not to take part in all the ceremonies and preparations very enthusiastically. The custom of dowry was there. Ambika had to bring it. A gold- waist belt had created problem. After ten years of marriage, Jagan had no children. The family members wanted a kid. So they had gone to the pilgrimage of ‘Santana Krishna’ and after that their wish was fulfilled and Mali was born. Ambika was given lots of gifts from her parents on that occasion. Mali broke all these traditions by bringing Grace with him and living with her without marriage. When Jagan comes to know this he is shocked. He is shocked. He feels that his pious house is tainted and he can not live in it any more. He selects the way of ‘Sanyasth Ashram’ retirement. He wants to retire from his worldly worries.

            Thus through Jagan’ story R.K.Narayan has depicted social customs very realistically.

Malgudi- A small copy of India & The Universal Note:-

            All the way Malgudi represents India with all her cultural and traditional aspects. The people, their relations, their wishes, their working method, the society, customs, beliefs, and frustrations are quite Indian. This way we can call Malgudi a small copy of living India. Though it is not real we don’t feel that it is just imaginary town. All the description and social life and customs are quite real.