Born in Chennai, RK Narayan’s ability to tell stories masterfully ensured that his readers across the country kept turning the pages. He was one of the earliest authors writing in English in India with his first novel published in 1935. Narayan made the language his own and gave his readers stories that were based in the heartlands of India — its cities, small towns, and villages. Being honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and an AC Benson medal by the Royal Society of Literature, he became the first recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award (English) in 1960.

A hat tip to some of his iconic contributions to India’s literary landscape.