An Astrologer's Day

 Thinking Activity:- Short Stories by R. K. Narayan 

Hello Readers! This blog is response to the thinking activity which is assigned by Megha ma'am. In this blog I am going to discuss R. K. Narayan's short story an Astrologer's day from Malgudi Days, in this I am answering the questions based on the reading of the short story and watching a short film based on it.

We watched a short film on An Astrologer's Day. An Astrologer's day is a short film that was directed and produced by Sushant Bhat. It is available on YouTube through pocket film. 

About Author:-

R. K. Narayan:-

R. K. Narayan, whose full name was Rashipuram Krishna Swami Iyer Narayanswami, was a renowned Indian author who played a prominent role in Indian literature. Alongside authors such as Raja Rao and Mulk Raj Anand, he was considered a leading figure in the field. Narayan gained recognition for his stories set in the fictional town of Malgudi, located in South India. Among his many accomplishments, Narayan received prestigious accolades such as the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1960 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2000. His novel "The Guide" was adapted into a film, further showcasing his literary brilliance. Narayan's writing continues to captivate reader with its simplicity, vivid portrayed of characters, and insightful experience of human nature.

About Short story:-

"An Astrologer's Day" , a thrilling and suspenseful short story, is part of the renowned collection "Malgudi Days" by R. K. Narayan. Published in 1947 by Indian thought publication, it serves as the titular story of Narayan's fourth collection. Set in the town of Malgudi, located in South India near Madras, the narrative revolves around an imposter who masquerades as an astrologer to earn his livelihood through clever guesswork.

The story delves into the life of this imposter, who fled his native place due to his delusional belief of committing murder. Ironically, he encounters a man whom he had once thought he had killed. This twist of fate creates captivating and ironic tale filled with darker psychological realities of human nature, including hypocrisy, cunningness, vengeance, and selfishness. Each character in the story undergoes these emotions, and it is the astuteness of the astrologer that allows him to deceive the man, guiding him in such a way that they never have to face each other again. The story masterfully explores these complex themes, offering readers a glimpse into the depths of the human psyche.

How faithful is the movie to the original short story ?

The movie based on the original short story "An Astrologer's Day" is largely faithful to the source material, but there are several differences between the film and the written text. Let's talk about difference between movie and original text.

The setting in the film has minor changes compared to the description in the story. Such as the absence of many shops near the astrologer's place. The film introduce a cat as a symbol of human nature, representing the astrologer's double standards, which is not explicitly described in the story. The currency used in the film is rupees, while the story mentions Annas. The movie includes detailed conversations and clever guessing between the astrologer and various costumers, while the original story only focuses on the conversation with Guru Nayak. 

In the film, the astrologer couple's child is named Chutki, whereas the original story refers to the child as simply a child without specifying the name of gender. The movie also assigns a name to the wife, Usha, which is not mentioned in the original text. The wife Usha, appears on screen more frequently in the movie than in the story. The film shows conversations between Usha and the astrologer about their daughter and family life, which are not present in the original story. Additionally, the movie does not depict the wife waiting at the door when the astrologer is late.

These changes, though present, are acceptable as the movie has the creative freedom to present the story in its own way, utilised the visual medium and making certain alteration for audience engagement each artist creator has the right to produce their interpretation while staying true to the essence of the original work.

After watching the movie, has your perception about the short story characters or situations changed?

The movie adaptations of the short story changes our perception of the astrologer to some extent by providing visual elements that help us understand his character more precisely. Initially, we may perceive the astrologer as someone driven by greed or poverty to engage in his profession. However, as the movie progresses, we gain insight into his past and discover his involvement in a bad deed. Furthermore, the growth of two characters, his wife and daughter, adds depth to the story.

In the original short story, there is a particular scene where the astrologer suddenly refuses a deal with Guru Nayak, which creates suspense for the reader. However, in the movie, this situation is portrayed differently. The filmmakers use a pause, accompanied by the lighting of a cigarette by Guru Nayak, to convey the astrologer's fear and provide a clearer understanding of the situation. This visual elements enhance the tention and adds to the overall impact of the scene.

Do you feel 'aesthetic delight ' while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If not , can you explain with reason?

On a personal level, the story may not provide aesthetic delight in terms of closely relating to own lives. However there is a sense of relief that emerges from witnessing the astrologer's guilt and skillful evasion of guru Nayak. In the movie adaptations, there is a certain aesthetic delight in observing the astrologer's portrayal of the real world of fake astrology. The juxtaposition of his deceptive practices with the reality of his personal life adds an intriguing and captivating elements to the story. Which can be appreciated visually on the screen.

Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?

The scene in both the story and the movie is Nayak's revelation to the astrologer, and it is executed perfectly in terms of cinematography. This scene is not only visually appealing but also provides the moral and comprehension of the entire story. The flashbacks shown in the movie are also skillfully depicted. Enhancing the overall viewing experience. Personally, i found these flashbacks to be quite enjoyeble and well-executed.

If you are the Direct, what changes would you like to make in the remaking of the movie based on the short story "An Astrologer's Day" by R. K. Narayan ?

If I were the director of the movie based on this short story, there are a few changes i would make , primarily focusing on the setting. Firstly, i would ensure that the setting aligns more closely with the description in the short story. As it seems to deviate from it in the current movie adaptations. Additionally, i would aim to create a sense of a crowded place rather than a chaotic one, as described in the original story. Another aspect i would address is the lighting, among to make adjustments that better capture the atmosphere and mood intended by the author. These changes would help to maintain a stronger connection to the original story and enhance the overall viewing experience.

Does the movie screening help you in better understanding of the short story?

Indeed, the powe of the camera lies in its ability to convey messages and emotions through visual elements, capturing moments that words alone cannot fully express. The movie adaptation of the story demonstrates this effectively, particularly in the introduction and  revelation of guru Nayak. While reading the original story, we only realise that something significant happened, and the astrologer tried to avoid the deal. However, in the movie , the use of lighting, specifically the lightning of Guru Nayak's cigarette, allows us to understand the astrologer's reaction and his decision to protect himself upon seeing Nayak's face. This visual cue provides a clear understanding of the story and enhances our perception of the astrologer's character.

Additionally, the movie adds depth and facsination to the astrologer's past, which is described in a less interesting manner in the original story, by presenting it in the form of flashbacks, depicted in black and white, the movie engages us in a visually captivating manner. These flashbacks create an intriguing contrast and contribute to the overall appeal of the story, making it more captivating and memorable for the viewers.

These all are my personal interpretation, if you want to add something write in comment box. I hope it is helpful. Happy learning!

Thank you for reading.