The Painter of signs - RK Narayan

Through “Painter of signs”, RK Narayan tells us the poignant love story of a simple, down-to-earth bachelor Raman. The plot is very simple and nothing unusual – how a man falls in love with a women and how their love ends. However, it is a pure delight, to read it in RK Narayan’s style.

The story as usual takes place in the RK Narayan’s dreamland Malgudi. Raman, as one might have guessed from the title of the book is a Painter of signboards in Malgudi. Raman leads a peaceful and contented life with his Aunt. Life seems to be perfect and mundane to Raman until he meets Daisy, an arrogant, ambitious, attractive girl who comes to malgudi to embark her social activities. Raman falls in love with Daisy. Soon the love blossoms between them. Being in a conservative society Raman finds hardship in convincing his aunt about his love. Raman does not want to leave any stone unturned that curbs his marriage to Daisy. The emotional filled ending answers how fate plays its role and whether Raman married to Daisy.

The love and intimacy between Raman and Daisy has been portrayed vividly and with in bounds, which is typical Narayan’s style. The other remarkable aspect to be noticed is Raman’s inner voice. The witty remarks raised by his inner voice are hilarious to read. The brilliant blend of humor with tragedy makes this story an impressive reading.