On coming to office that morning I was impelled to write about him, as I knew him. Here I reproduce the “Abracadabra” published in Star of Mysore that evening to commemorate his birth centenary.

It is said, old soldiers never die, they simply fade away. R. K. Narayan, though not a soldier in the conventional sense, was a literary giant. Looking at the manner of his passing away early this morning, it could well be said that he too, like an old soldier, faded away... into eternity.

I am not quite sure if he had ever aimed at heaven as his goal after death considering the subtle and, sometimes, obvious humor in his writings while delineating his characters. Whatever it is, I am sure he must have died with the belief that his soul indeed would meet with that of his wife's in whatever world the souls are supposed to live! For, it is clear from his writings, especially the English Teacher and the autobiography My Days (a copy of which he had gifted me with his autograph) that he loved his wife passionately and that he continued to communicate with her even after her death!

I first saw R. K. Narayan in flesh and blood at the portico of the Humanities Block, Manasagangotri, sitting on the parapet, dangling his legs and chatting with a couple of teachers from the English Department which was also located in the same building. I was introduced to him and, it was a very brief but endearing, enduring encounter.
As was his wont, he was quick in uttering something in a lighter vein, smiling, even as he looked at me through his thick glasses. For all his fame, name and stature in the world of English literature and publication of articles in world - class magazines like TIME, LIFE, New Yorker and even Playboy, he looked to me like the common man of our society of the type created by his famous brother and world - class cartoonist R. K. Laxman. Later, I moved into the hall in the English Department where he was to have an interaction with the Post - Graduate students.

By then, I was told that Narayan was shy of public speaking, which in other words means that he was a poor speaker compared to his genius as a writer. So, as expected, Narayan told the moderator and the students that he did not have anything specific to tell them but would happily answer their questions. He was, of course, fielding all the questions happily but with his characteristic, trademark humour and forthrightness. There was no rhetoric or humbug or even pretence of being the writer of stature that he indeed was. I found him totally transparent compared to the writers of lesser stature and recognition, whom also I had the misfortune of meeting and hearing earlier in different places.

Listening to Narayan, I was just wondering how could he be that informal and transparent even while in the midst of professors, scholars and Post - Graduate students. Probably, it is his nature to be his own self always without being overwhelmed by the admiration and accolades showered on him.

Later, it was K. Vijay Kumar, the former Joint Director of Information and Publicity, who took me to Narayan's residence in Yadavagiri to request him to inaugurate the publication of Mysore Monitor (later closed), an English Weekly from our stable. Of course, I was forewarned of a possible disappointment. But then I was lucky that he graciously agreed and released the first copy of Mysore Monitor at a modest function held at Hotel Kings Kourt with a front page picture from no less a person than the renowned photo - journalist T.S. Satyan. Believe me, from that moment onwards it was a love affair between Narayan and myself. Even though, I was too small a person and a journalist of a small newspaper compared to this literary colossus, he treated me with great kindness.

He used to telephone me a number of times at my office to register his protest against the Corporation's bungling and failures. Many times he had even invited me to his house for a chat and I did go a couple of times and enjoyed his company over a cup of coffee rich in its aroma and a delightful conversation where he would make me laugh every now and then with his inexhaustible sense of humour. Because of this, I sometimes used to think what his brother Laxman does with his brush strokes; Narayan does with his written words.

Once when I mentioned about my visits to his house to a friend of mine, I was asked rather mischievously, if I was offered a cup of coffee or tea. I was annoyed and the friend explained saying that he couldn't believe that Narayan invited me to his house and had even offered coffee, for the great writer rarely invited anyone and much less offered the hospitality of coffee. I thought it was a myth created around Narayan because on one occasion I had seen Narayan asking a surprise visitor, whom he reluctantly met, to have a cup of coffee. However, it is true Narayan did not encourage people to intrude upon his time and privacy and it is understandable in his case being a writer.

Once while I was with him for more than an hour, a person came from Bombay and sent word upstairs where we were, saying that he had come from the magazine called Gentleman and wanted to talk to him urgently. I thought Narayan would either go down to see him or call him up. For the first time, I saw his face change expression and sent word saying that he wouldn't see him, as he had not taken an appointment. That was it. The man from Bombay had to beat a quick retreat. Later, I asked what it was all about and Narayan told me the whole story.

The Gentleman magazine had published an extract from Narayan's book titled A Tiger for Malgudi without Narayan's permission thereby violating the copyright. Narayan had issued him a notice and as a consequence apparently this gentleman had come to negotiate and compromise. Incidentally, I had just then read that piece in the Gentleman magazine itself and told Narayan how much I had liked it... I later learnt that the matter was closed with the Gentleman magazine paying a token amount as royalty.

Narayan's concern for Mysore City and its environs are enormous. When I took the initiative to set up 'Save Kukkarahalli Lake Committee' and approached Narayan to become a member, he readily agreed without any fuss or hesitation. Not just an acceptance, he was ready to actively participate in all our efforts to save Kukkarahalli Lake, which was at that time covered with water hyacinth, consequently the water level going down thus threatening its imminent death. Though old, he came with the committee members to the lake for inspection, walked a distance at different points, and met the then Vice-Chancellor of the University Prof. K. S. Hegde, who, of course, behaved like a typical bureaucrat. Narayan was disappointed.

Even though Narayan left Mysore about eight years ago for good, he was very particular about getting Star of Mysore to his Chennai address by post. If he missed the paper continuously for three days he would telephone me or ask his nephew R. S. Krishna Swamy to contact us. Whenever somebody from Mysore went to Chennai to see him, he would always enquire about Star of Mysore and K. B. Ganapathy. I was indeed touched by his sentiments. Today, he has left us and gone away forever, but personally I will always cherish his memory.

K B Ganapathy
Editor in Chief
Star of Mysore
Mysore

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