The novel begins on the outskirts of the quiet village of Malgudi, where a simple villager named Velan mistakes Raju, newly out of jail and resting at the ruins near the river, as a holy man. Velan is reverential toward Raju and tells him of his problems, namely that his half-sister refuses to marry the man selected for her. Raju does not really care but since he is lonely, he is happy that somebody is talking to him. He thinks about how he just got out of jail and of his time before then as a famed tourist guide. Raju lived in Malgudi with his mother and father. He grew up as the train station was being built and eventually, after his father’s death, came to run his father’s spacious shop. He loved talking to people and was quite popular as a guide; his nickname was even "Railway Raju."
The next morning Velan brings his sister to Raju and he tells her placidly that "What must happen must happen; no power on earth or in heaven can change its course, just has no one can change the course of that river.” She is impressed and after her meeting with Raju she agrees to her family's wishes. This begins Raju's journey as a holy man. Dozens and dozens of villagers gather to see their Swami. They decorate the ancient temple, bring him food and gifts, encourage their sons to read and learn from the schoolteacher in Raju’s presence, and generally seek Raju’s counsel about all manner of things. Raju is concerned about his pretending but is often impressed with his own sagacity and decides he must stay here to avoid going back to his old village. He grows a long beard and long hair and becomes used to saying profound things. After a few years, the rains disappear and famine and strife begin to affect the villages. Velan’s never-do-well brother comes to see Raju and admits that people are fighting due to the famine. Raju is distressed by all of this commotion and orders the brother to give the message to the people that they are not to fight and that he will not eat until they stop fighting.
When Velan’s brother finds Velan and the other elders, he is embarrassed that he mentioned the fighting to the holy man so he says simply that he told the Swami that there was no rain. He then repeats the part about Raju not eating so Velan and the others think Raju is about to undertake the sacrifice of fasting and praying until the rain comes. When the people pour into Raju’s area to look upon him and thank him, he realizes something strange is going on. Velan excitedly reminds him of what he’d said one time about this fasting and praying, and Raju rues that he made this up a while ago. That evening, Raju wonders if he ought to run away but remembers the women and children and their gratitude and decides he must see this out. He calls Velan to him and begins to tell him his life’s story. Velan listens gravely. Raju tells Velan of his childhood, his time at school, how he built up the business after his father's death, and how his fame as Railway Raju increased day by day. Most importantly, he tells of how his life changed when he meet Rosie. This is what Raju recounts...
No comments:
Post a Comment