Thinking Activity : An Astrologer 's Day -R.K.Narayan

 Thinking Activity : An Astrologer 's Day -R.K.Narayan

Welcome to my blog. In this blog, I am going to discuss "An Astrologer's day" by R. K. Narayan with the discussion on several important questions assigned by Megha  ma'am.

 About R.K.Narayan

Rasipuram Krishnaswami Narayan, better known as R.K. Narayan, is widely regarded as one of India's most prominent and influential writers in English literature. Born on October 10, 1906, in Madras (now Chennai), Narayan developed a deep passion for storytelling from a young age. celebrated Indian writer in English literature, is known for his distinctive style that combines wit, humor, and social commentary. Narayan's upbringing in a South Indian Brahmin family influenced his storytelling. With simplicity and gentle humor, he portrays ordinary individuals navigating the complexities of small-town India, offering keen observations and richly drawn characters. Narayan's works transcend cultural boundaries, resonating with readers worldwide by capturing universal human experiences. Notable works like "The Guide" and "Malgudi Days" have earned him widespread acclaim, solidifying his status as a literary icon.

Narayan's contributions to English literature were recognized with several prestigious awards, including the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Padma Bhushan (India's third-highest civilian award), and honorary doctorates from several universities. His literary legacy continues to inspire aspiring writers and readers alike, as his works remain cherished classics that provide a window into the diverse tapestry of Indian life and culture.

About Short-Story :-An Astrologer 's Day

"An Astrologer's Day" is a compelling short story by R.K. Narayan that follows an astrologer in an Indian marketplace. He encounters a man named Guru Nayak, unaware that they share a dark past. As the astrologer reveals hidden truths about his clients, the story explores themes of fate, deception, and redemption. The climactic moment comes when the astrologer recognizes Guru Nayak as the man he once tried to kill. Ultimately, the astrologer chooses redemption and a new path, leaving his criminal past behind. Narayan's storytelling captivates readers with its simplicity, wit, and social commentary, offering a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and personal transformation.

Here are  answers to all the questions assigned as a task.

1) How faithful is the movie to the original short story?

The movie adaptation is quite relevant to the story.The story talks a lot about the market and how crowded it is, with all these shops like "Bombay Ice-Cream," "Delhi Almond," and "Raja's Delicacy." But in the movie, there's only one guy selling groundnuts, and they don't even show those shops. Lighting is also important in the story, but it's not a big deal in the movie.

In the story, the astrologer doesn't have a wife or daughter, and their names are not given. But in the movie, they give the wife a name, Usha, and say the child is a girl named Chutki. Also, in the story, the astrologer wears a saffron turban, but in the movie, he doesn't wear that.

Oh, and in the story, they talk about using "anna" as currency, but in the movie, they just use regular rupees.

So yeah, those are the differences my friend noticed. It seems like the movie changed some things from the original story, I guess to make it work better on the screen or something.

2)After watching the movie, have your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?

Yeah, watching the movie actually helped me understand the story better. It made things clearer, Like when Guru Nayak and the astrologer meet, there's this moment in the movie where the astrologer sees Guru Nayak's face in the light of a cigarette, and it's like something clicks in his mind. In the story, we don't really know what's going on there, but the movie fills in that gap with a nice scene.

Oh, and the flashback in the movie is in black and white, which makes it easier to understand compared to the story. It's like, you can tell it's a flashback, you know?

After watching the movie, my perception of the short story, the characters, and the situations did change a bit. I mean, I understood things better and got a clearer picture of what was happening. It was like the movie filled in the gaps and made things more obvious. So yeah, watching the movie definitely made a difference in how I see the story.

3)Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons?

 While watching the movie, I guess there was this moment of like "aesthetic delight" or something. It happened at the end when the astrologer was talking to his wife about his past and feeling all guilty about what he did to this guy, Guru Nayak. Like, we didn't really know their relationship before, but through their conversation, we find out. And then, in the very last shot, they show the astrologer's face covered on the screen, and it's like he doesn't feel as guilty as he should.

As for whether I felt "aesthetic delight" or not, I'm not really sure. I mean, it was kind of interesting, I guess. Like, it made me think and stuff. But I don't know if I'd say it was like a delightful experience or anything. I guess it's just how the movie ended and the way they showed the astrologer's face. So yeah, I don't know, it was okay I guess.

4)Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the short story?

Yeah, watching the movie actually helped us understand the story better. Our teacher read the whole story to us in class, and then we watched the movie. The movie was made by Pocketfilms and directed and produced by Shushant Bhat. It tried to stay faithful to the story, keeping everything the same as in the original. When we read something, we sometimes miss words or pause between them, which can change how we understand it. But when we watched the movie, we could understand things properly, so it was helpful in understanding the short story better.

So yeah, the screening of the movie definitely helped us grasp the story more effectively.

5)Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?

Yeah, there was this one scene in the story that changed everything. This customer named Guru Nayak comes to the astrologer looking for the person who tried to kill him. And we get all curious about what the astrologer will do because he doesn't know anything about it. But then, in the darkness, there's this scene with a burnt cigarette, and it changes everything. The astrologer picks up a bat and indirectly saves himself from Guru Nayak. He tells him that the person who tried to murder him is already dead in some accident, so he should just go home. Otherwise, someone else might kill him. It was like a perfect scene in the story that changed the lives of these two characters.

So yeah, that scene was really good and important in the story.

6) If you are director, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story “An Astrologer’s Day” by R.K.Narayan?

If I were the director, I think there are a few changes I would make in remaking the movie based on the short story "An Astrologer's Day" by R.K. Narayan. First, I would focus on enhancing the setting and sound to create a more immersive experience for the viewers. I would pay attention to the details of the marketplace, making it more lively and bustling, with vibrant colors and engaging background sounds to capture the atmosphere described in the story.

Next, I would make changes to the character of the astrologer's wife. In the movie, she is portrayed as quite silent and doesn't question her husband's actions or the nature of their work. However, I believe it would be more compelling if she had a stronger presence and showcased a sense of dignity in their profession. She should be a woman who challenges her husband's choices, questioning why he deceives so many people and urging him to reconsider his actions. This would add depth and conflict to their relationship, highlighting the moral dilemma faced by the astrologer.

These changes would make the characters stronger and the story more interesting. The goal is to make the movie more enjoyable and make people think about it.

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