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Malgudi Days (TV series)

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Malgudi Days
DVD Cover of Malgudi Days. Yellow background with a sketch of the Malgudi town square. The text at the top reads, "R.K. Narayan's Malgudi Days"; "Nobel Literature Prize nominee"; "Excellent cinema, and a moving human document - Indian Express". The text at the bottom reads, "English Episodes 1 to 13".
Based onMalgudi Days
by R. K. Narayan
Directed byShankar Nag (seasons 1–3)
Kavitha Lankesh (season 4)
Theme music composerL. Vaidyanathan
ComposerL. Vaidyanathan
Country of originIndia
Original languagesHindi
English
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes54
Production
ProducerT. S. Narasimhan
Original release
NetworkDoordarshan
Release24 September 1986 (1986-09-24) –
2006 (2006-MM)

Malgudi Days is an Indian television series that premiered in 1986.[1] Initially produced in both English (13 episodes) and Hindi (54 episodes), the show is based on R. K. Narayan’s 1943 short story collection of the same name. Directed by Kannada actor and director Shankar Nag, The series was Produced by T.S. Narasimhan,[2] with music composed by L. Vaidyanathan. Renowned cartoonist R. K. Laxman, Narayan's younger brother, contributed as the sketch artist.[3] the series was revived in 2006 with 15 new episodes directed by Kavitha Lankesh.[3]

Plot

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The series is an adaptation of several collections of short stories and novels by R. K. Narayan, depicting life in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi. It draws from works such as Malgudi Days, A Horse and Two Goats and Other Stories, An Astrologer's Day and Other Short Stories, Swami and Friends, and The Vendor of Sweets, offering a portrayal of rural and small-town India through its everyday characters and scenarios.

Each episode introduces different characters and events, capturing recurring themes of innocence, irony, and social observation. In Swami and Friends, for example, the series explores the childhood experiences of Swami and his friends, highlighting post-colonial societal shifts. The Vendor of Sweets addresses generational conflicts through the relationship between Jagan, an elderly sweet vendor, and his modern-thinking son.

The series covers a spectrum of narratives, from interactions with eccentric astrologers to villagers grappling with moral quandaries, humorous misunderstandings, and personal challenges. Narayan’s portrayal of Malgudi offers both humorous and critical reflections on prevalent social dynamics and presenting a timeless view of community life.

Episodes

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Season 1 (1986 - 13 Episodes)

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Episode Hindi Title
A Hero Hero
A Horse and Two Goats Muni
The Missing Mail Dhakia
The Hoard Maha Kanjus
Cat Within Paap ka Gada
Leela’s Friend Sidda
Old Man of the Temple Mandir ka Budda
The Watchman Chowkidar
A Willing Slave Aaya
Roman Image Rome ka Murthi
Sweets for Angels Kaali
The Seventh House Saathvan Ghar
Nitya Nitya

Season 2 (1987 - 13 Episodes)

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Episode Hindi Title
Engine Trouble Engine ki Kahani
Iswaran
The Gateman’s Gift Govind Singh ki Bhent
The Edge Dhara
Forty-Five a Month 45 Rupiya
Swamy and Friends – Part 1 Swami – 1
Swamy and Friends – Part 2 Swami – 2
Swamy and Friends – Part 3 Swami – 3
Swamy and Friends – Part 4 Swami – 4
Swamy and Friends – Part 5 Swami – 5
Swamy and Friends – Part 6 Swami – 6
Swamy and Friends – Part 7 Swami – 7
Swamy and Friends – Part 8 Swami – 8

Season 3 (1988 - 13 Episodes)

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Episode Hindi Title
Performing Child Abhinetri
The Career Ramji ki Leela
Trail of the Green Blazer Pocket Maar
Naga – Part 1
Naga – Part 2
Vendor of Sweets – Part 1 Mithaiwala – 1
Vendor of Sweets – Part 2 Mithaiwala – 2
Vendor of Sweets – Part 3 Mithaiwala – 3
Vendor of Sweets – Part 4 Mithaiwala – 4
Vendor of Sweets – Part 5 Mithaiwala – 5
Vendor of Sweets – Part 6 Mithaiwala – 6
Vendor of Sweets – Part 7 Mithaiwala – 7
Vendor of Sweets – Part 8 Mithaiwala – 8

Season 4 (2006 - 15 Episodes)

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Episode Hindi Title
Annamalai – Part 1
Annamalai – Part 2
The Gold Belt Sone ka Kamarband
Dodu
Doctor's Word
Four Rupees
Neighbour's Help
Minister Without Portfolio & Korean Grass
Salt & Saw Dust – Part 1
Salt & Saw Dust – Part 2
Lawley Road – Part 1
Lawley Road – Part 2
The Antidote
The Snake Song
An Astrologer's Day

Cast

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Production

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The series Malgudi Days, comprising thirty nine episodes, was first telecast on Doordarshan in 1986. Most of the series was shot in Agumbe village in Shimoga district, Karnataka.[4][5] The home was Kalkodu near Agumbe. Art director John Devaraj transformed Agumbe into Malgudi by creating "carts, statues, avenues, shops, bus stand, schools, shops". Donkeys were transported from Shimoga to Agumbe and elephants from Bangalore, Austin and Hindustan cars were borrowed from friends while a road-roller had to be transported from Bangalore. Shankar Nag erected a land "replete with dancers, wrestlers, fire eaters, bangle sellers" for the episode "Talkative Man". Shankar Nag and Narasimhan initially considered Mysore but since the town has become urbanized, they considered Nanjangud however they rejected it "because of its proximity to Mysore" then they finally zeroed in on Agumbe.[6] Some episodes were filmed in Bengaluru and some others in Devarayanadurga located in Tumakuru district in Karnataka.[7] One episode, "Nitya", was shot entirely in Devarayanadurga.[8] Railway station scenes were shot at Arasalu village railway station.[6][9] Shankar preferred to shoot the series in "celluloid film rather than shoot digitally".[10]

Revival

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In 2004, the project was revived with filmmaker Kavitha Lankesh replacing Shankar Nag as director.[3] The new series was telecasted from 26 April 2006 on Doordarshan.[11] Most of the stories in the series are one episode long and were derived from the books A Horse and Two Goats, Malgudi Days, Swami and Friends and The Vendor of Sweets.

Legacy

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Indian Railways decided to rename Arasalu Railway station of Shivamogga District, Karnataka, India to Malgudi Railway station as homage to the location of Malgudi Days serial.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Jain, Madhu (15 August 1986). "R.K. Narayan's Malgudi does exist; recreated for television". India Today. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2020.
  2. ^ "Classics from Karnataka". The Hindu. 9 February 2004. Archived from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "The return of Malgudi Days". Rediff. 21 July 2006. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008. Retrieved 28 August 2009.
  4. ^ Riti, M.D. (16 May 2001). "'You acted exactly as I imagined Swami to be'". The Rediff Special. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  5. ^ "The Malgudi that is Agumbe". The Hindu. 20 February 2011. Archived from the original on 23 February 2011.
  6. ^ a b "When Agumbe turned Malgudi". The Hindu. 8 November 2018. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  7. ^ "Memories of Malgudi". The Times of India. 16 October 2016. Archived from the original on 17 October 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  8. ^ "Episode 22, Nitya". Youtube. 12 October 2016. Archived from the original on 21 December 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  9. ^ "The train will now stop at Malgudi!". The Hindu. 5 September 2019. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  10. ^ "The man who brought Malgudi to screen is no more". The Hindu. 27 July 2013. Archived from the original on 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
  11. ^ "Malgudi Days on DD1". The Hindu. 12 May 2006. Archived from the original on 2 October 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
  12. ^ M, Shrinivasa (3 March 2019). "Shivamogga's Arasalu set to be rechristened Malgudi Station". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
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