R K Narayan (1906-2001) is widely regarded as one of India's most distinguished English language novelists ever. His books have been published in India, USA and UK and also been widely translated into several Indian and European languages.

Narayan was born in Madras in South India and educated in Mysore which became his home for over half-century.

During the course of his literary career, R K Narayan won numerous awards. In 1958, he won the Sahitya Akademi Award, India's highest literary honour for his novel, The Guide. In 2000, a year before his death, he was awarded India's second highest civilian homour, the Padma Vibhushan.