The Man-Eater of Malgudi

This novel is written by R.K.Narayan, and published in 1961.The story takes place in the fictional town called ‘Malgudi’ created by R.K.Narayan.The story is set in postcolonial times.R.K.Narayan uses comical style to tell the story and create ironic situations.

The story revolves around Natraj the protagonist who runs a printing press.He lives in Malgudi near Mempi hills which is very calm and beautiful.Natraj leads a simple life with his family in his ancestral house. He has his own circle of friends such as a poet, a journalist and Sastri his employee.Vasu a taxidermist, the antagonist of the story comes to malgudi in search of wildlife in mempi hills.He comes to Natraj's printing press demanding 5oo visiting cards.Vasu takes residence in the attic of Natraj's press by convincing Natraj that he will leave soon after getting a place to live.Vasu is a bully and compared to a rakshasa(Demon) by Natraj and Sastri.Soon Vasu takes over the attic and disturbs the peace of malgudi by his taxidermist activities, shooting nearby innocent animals, and poaching wildlife from mempi hills.Therefore writer refers to him as man-eater of malgudi.

Near the end Natraj learns taht Vasu plans to kill Kumar, the temple elephant for his collection and business.Natraj decides to talk to Vasu for once and for all, he finds vasu sleeping, but the next morning he discovers that vasu is dead.

Everyone thinks that vasu was attacked.Reputation of Natraj's press was ruined and his friends and other people started avoiding him.Later Natraj learns from Sastri, that Vasu was not murdered, but died in an attempt to smash a mosquito sitting on his temple.He had damaged one of his nerve with his powerful hand and died instantly.

R.K.Narayan used the story of 'Bhasmasura' as a theme in the story.Just like Bhasmasura, Vasu dies because of his own brute strenght for which he was so proud.Writer also talks about how good wins over evil.