This blog task is assigned by Megha Trivedi Ma'am (Department of English, MKBU).
An Astrologer’s Day by R K Narayan
R.K.Narayan :
Pre-Viewing Tasks:
Observe the setting, plot, character, structure, style, theme of the original short story.
“He knew no more of what was going to happen to others than he knew what was going to happen to himself next minute.”
R.K. Narayan’s short story “An Astrologer’s Day” is a deceptively simple tale that unfolds in the fictional South Indian town of Malgudi, yet within its compact narrative lies an astonishingly rich exploration of human psychology, moral ambiguity, social deception, and emotional redemption. Blending gentle irony with deep existential insight, Narayan’s story explores how identity can be constructed through fear and how illusion often serves as a shelter for truth.
This analysis covers every key literary element of the story — from its plot and structure to its setting, characters, style, and dominant themes — to offer a full understanding for students, readers, and literary enthusiasts alike.
1. Plot Summary: A Tale of Deception, Memory, and Redemption
The story revolves around an unnamed man who poses as a professional astrologer, setting up his modest booth every day beneath a tamarind tree in the crowded Town Hall Park. He wears saffron clothes, smears sacred ash and vermilion on his forehead, and uses props like cowrie shells and mystic charts to convince customers of his supposed clairvoyant abilities.
“His forehead was resplendent with sacred ash and vermilion, and his eyes sparkled with a sharp abnormal gleam… People were attracted to him as bees are attracted to cosmos or dahlia stalks.”
Despite having no knowledge of astrology, he successfully manipulates his clients by listening carefully and giving vague, flattering advice.
One evening, as he is about to pack up, a mysterious and aggressive stranger approaches. This man challenges the astrologer to prove his powers by answering a real question. As light from the stranger’s cheroot briefly reveals his face, the astrologer is struck by the realization: this man is Guru Nayak, whom he had believed he had killed years ago in a drunken brawl.
“You were left for dead. Am I right?”
Quickly regaining composure, the astrologer manipulates the conversation. He tells Guru Nayak that his attacker (in reality, himself) is dead and warns him never to return south, or he might meet the same fate.
“He died four months ago in a far-off town. You will never see any more of him.”
After the stranger leaves, appeased and satisfied, the astrologer returns home and confesses to his wife that the man he believed he had killed is still alive, freeing him from years of guilt.
“A great load is gone from me today. I thought I had the blood of a man on my hands all these years.”
This final moment adds an emotional twist, transforming a tale of deception into a story of unexpected redemption and peace.
2. Setting: The Market as Metaphor
“The place was lit up by shop lights… some had naked flares stuck on poles… It was a bewildering criss-cross of light rays and moving shadows.”
The story is set in a busy Indian market street — a place bustling with vendors, sounds, smells, and shadows. This marketplace, full of sellers of medicine, stolen goods, peanuts, and magic, represents a space of illusion and performance, where truth is blurred and identity is constantly staged.
The astrologer’s booth is not isolated; it is part of a noisy, unregulated, and dimly lit environment — ideal for someone living a constructed identity. The absence of municipal lighting enhances the shadows, reflecting the moral ambiguity and psychological uncertainty that govern the story.
3. Structure: From Routine to Revelation
Narayan’s narrative follows a classic linear structure with a powerful twist:
- Exposition: Introduction of the astrologer’s life, setting, and methods.
- Rising Action: The arrival of the mysterious stranger and the astrologer’s nervous reaction.
- Climax: The revelation that the stranger is Guru Nayak.
- Falling Action: The astrologer uses truth disguised as prophecy to send the man away.
- Resolution: The astrologer’s confession to his wife and emotional release.
This structure allows Narayan to slowly peel back the layers of his protagonist, transitioning from everyday conman to a man confronting his past crime and moral self.
4. Character Analysis: Complex Figures Beneath Simple Surfaces
- The Astrologer
He is the central figure — a man who reinvents himself in the city to escape his violent past. Though he earns his living through lies, he is not shown as evil. Instead, he is human — shaped by fear, guilt, survival, and remorse.
“If he had continued there he would have carried on the work of his forefathers — namely, tilling the land… But that was not to be.”
He is cunning, intuitive, and manipulative, but also emotionally vulnerable. His moment of honesty, when he confronts Guru Nayak, is not driven by morality but self-preservation — and yet it becomes his moment of redemption.
- Guru Nayak
A vengeful man still hunting the person who once tried to murder him, Guru Nayak represents the unresolved past. Ironically, he finds closure through a lie. His belief that his enemy is dead ends his search, not justice — a poignant commentary on how belief can overpower reality.
- The Wife
Though her appearance is brief, she adds emotional grounding to the story. Her practical concerns — buying sweets for the child — contrast the astrologer’s internal crisis, highlighting the quiet domestic world he has built as a shield from his past.
5. Style: Irony, Simplicity, and Subtle Power
Narayan’s prose is marked by economy of language, gentle satire, and profound psychological depth. He uses third-person omniscient narration with dry, often ironic commentary.
“Even a half-wit’s eyes would sparkle in such a setting.”
This line mocks the astrologer's appearance while hinting at the absurdity of belief based solely on appearance. Narayan's style never moralizes; instead, it presents characters as they are — flawed, self-protective, human.
6. Themes: Deep Meanings Behind a Simple Story
- Appearance vs. Reality
The entire story is built on the illusion of power and the performance of truth. The astrologer wears the costume of mysticism, but his success lies in observation, psychology, and clever language — not stars.
“He was as much a stranger to the stars as were his innocent customers.”
- Guilt and Redemption
The story pivots around the astrologer’s buried guilt. His past resurfaces unexpectedly, and while his truth is hidden under another lie, the result is genuine emotional relief.
“A great load is gone from me today.”
- Fate vs. Free Will
While the astrologer sells fate-based predictions, the story subtly suggests that people are shaped more by past actions than planetary positions. The twist shows that what looks like fate is often just accident, memory, and decision.
- The Human Need for Belief
Both Guru Nayak and the common people choose to believe what comforts them. In a chaotic world, astrology becomes a coping mechanism, even if it’s based on falsehood.
Conclusion: A Starless Man Who Gives Light
In the end, R.K. Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day” is not about astrology at all. It is about how people construct and reconstruct their lives — often through performance, often through deception — to escape trauma, guilt, or failure. The astrologer, though a fraud by profession, emerges as a deeply human figure, whose encounter with a former victim becomes the key to his own psychological healing.
Narayan brilliantly crafts a story where truth masquerades as fiction, and fiction becomes a vehicle for truth. In doing so, he gives us a tale not just about a man reading palms — but about a man reading life itself.
While-Viewing Tasks
- The beginning
- Important Scenes – The encounter with Guru Nayak, The conversation with wife, The market scene
- The End
- The Climax Scene
The Beginning:
The story begins with an astrologer setting up his stall in a busy market. He appears mysterious and insightful, offering advice to troubled people. We see his daily routine, the setting, and the kind of people who come to seek his help. There’s a blend of music and mysticism in the atmosphere.
Important Scenes:
- The Encounter with Guru Nayak:
This is a turning point in the story. A stranger named Guru Nayak confronts the astrologer with intense questions. The astrologer seems unusually alert and cautious. As their conversation progresses, it is revealed that Guru Nayak is unknowingly speaking to the same man who had once tried to kill him. The astrologer, through clever manipulation and astrology tricks, convinces Guru Nayak that the man he seeks (the would-be murderer) is already dead—crushed under a lorry. This allows the astrologer to hide his past crime and escape suspicion.
- The Conversation with Wife:
After the tense encounter, the astrologer returns home. His wife, Usha, notices a change in him. When she inquires, he finally confesses the truth he had kept hidden for years: he once tried to kill a man during a drunken fight in the village. He fled thinking he had committed murder. But now, he has discovered that the man (Guru Nayak) is alive. This revelation brings him peace and relief, as he no longer carries the guilt of having blood on his hands.
- The Market Scene:
The bustling market is where most of the action happens. It reflects everyday life, noise, business, and hidden stories. The market is also the place where fate unexpectedly brings the astrologer face-to-face with his past. The lively crowd contrasts sharply with the intense personal drama unfolding between the astrologer and Guru Nayak.
The Climax Scene:
The climax occurs during the intense conversation between the astrologer and Guru Nayak. The astrologer uses his knowledge and presence of mind to protect himself. When he realizes the man before him is the very one he thought he had killed, he calmly lies that the attacker (himself) is already dead. This lie not only saves him from being exposed but also frees him from years of guilt. The moment is suspenseful and emotionally charged.
The End:
The story ends with the astrologer at peace. He returns home and shares the secret of his past with his wife. For years, he believed he had committed murder, but now he knows that the man survived. This realization lifts a heavy burden from his heart. The tale ends with a sense of relief, closure, and irony—showing how life can twist in unexpected ways.
Post – Viewing Tasks:
(Give responses to these questions in your blog and share the blog link in the comment section here and also in the Google Classroom)
· How faithful is the movie to the original short story?
· After watching the movie, have your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?
· Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie? If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons?
· · Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the short story?
· Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?
· If you are director, 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?
1. How faithful is the movie to the original short story?
The movie is largely faithful to the original story in its plot, character portrayal, and climax. The central twist — that the astrologer was the man who once tried to kill Guru Nayak — remains intact. The market setting, the astrologer’s attire, the sudden encounter, the emotional shift, and the relief at the end are all preserved well. However, the screenplay expands upon the astrologer’s personal life by showing extended conversations with his wife, Usha, and even gives Chutki (their daughter) a voice, which is absent in the original. These additions provide emotional layering but diverge slightly from R.K. Narayan’s minimalistic narrative style.
2. After watching the movie, have your perception about the short story, characters or situations changed?
Yes, the movie adds a human dimension to the astrologer. In the story, he is clever, secretive, and survives on guesswork and performance. But the film shows him as a man burdened by guilt and trauma, trying to live an honest life after a dark past. Usha's presence and her questions add tenderness. The market feels more alive and chaotic, and Guru Nayak appears more intimidating on screen. The astrologer’s final relief, which seemed casual in the story, felt much deeper in the film.
3. Do you feel ‘aesthetic delight’ while watching the movie?
If yes, exactly when did it happen? If no, can you explain with reasons?
Yes, I did feel aesthetic delight, especially during the climactic revelation scene. When the astrologer slowly realizes the identity of Guru Nayak and cleverly maneuvers the conversation to protect his secret — that moment was charged with tension, emotion, and irony. The background music, lighting, and the expressions added a cinematic beauty to a literary twist. The delight came from watching the twist unfold visually, which heightened the suspense beyond what the written word could express.
4. Does screening of movie help you in better understanding of the short story?
Absolutely. The movie enhanced my understanding of the astrologer’s inner conflict. The story briefly mentions that he ran away from his village after a violent incident, but the film shows this through emotional dialogue and flashback-like conversations. Watching body language, facial expressions, and pauses brought out subtext that was easy to overlook while reading. The setting also helped me visualize the chaotic market scene and how the astrologer camouflaged his identity in the crowd.
5. Was there any particular scene or moment in the story that you think was perfect?
Yes, the scene where the astrologer says to Guru Nayak: “You were left for dead… pushed into a well...” was perfect both in the story and in the film. It was intense, emotionally charged, and the turning point of the plot. In the film, Guru Nayak’s astonishment and the astrologer’s nervousness were beautifully acted out, making it a gripping watch. It revealed both the suspense and the relief — the heart of Narayan’s twist.
6. If you are the director, 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 to direct a new adaptation of An Astrologer’s Day, I would aim to balance fidelity to the original with a cinematic style that heightens emotion, suspense, and introspection. Here are the changes I would consider:
- Focus on Inner Conflict through Visual Storytelling:
I would use close-up shots and minimal dialogue to express the astrologer’s inner guilt, especially during the encounter with Guru Nayak. This psychological depth can be powerfully conveyed through his nervous glances, trembling hands, or a moment of frozen silence when he recognizes his victim.
- Eliminate Over-Explanatory Lines:
Some parts of the current film script make the themes too obvious. I would prefer subtlety, trusting the audience to pick up on clues through actions, facial expressions, and symbolic imagery rather than direct exposition.
- Introduce a Symbolic Motif:
I’d add a recurring visual motif—such as the astrologer washing his hands or avoiding looking into mirrors—to symbolize his buried guilt. When he learns that the man is alive, these actions could change—perhaps he finally looks into the mirror with peace.
- Expand the Ending with Poetic Closure:
Rather than ending the film with just domestic relief, I would include a visual of the astrologer walking through the empty street, looking up at the stars with a complex expression—relieved but still aware of life’s irony. A minimal background score would enhance this mood.
- Add Depth to the Wife’s Character:
Usha could be shown as more than just a domestic figure. She might suspect that her husband has a hidden past. Her concern and acceptance could deepen the emotional resonance of the final revelation.
- Market Scene as a Character Itself:
The market is more than a setting—it mirrors the astrologer's life: chaotic, deceptive, and full of noise. I would use sound design and camera movement to make the marketplace feel like a living, breathing character that pressures the astrologer to keep his truth hidden.
- Final Scene with Guru Nayak:
I would show Guru Nayak walking away and briefly glancing back, confused but somehow satisfied. The astrologer would remain seated, sweating and still. That slight ambiguity would let viewers wonder: Who really won in that moment?
References :
"An Astrologer’s Day – Hindi Short Film." YouTube, uploaded by Antara Creation, 25 May 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkfrjYFQozA
Narayan, R. K. Malgudi Days. Penguin, 2006.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "R.K. Narayan". Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 May. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/biography/R-K-Narayan.
Vaidehi. “Worksheet: Screening of Short Film.” Vaidehi09, 9 Sept. 2021, vaidehi09.blogspot.com/2021/09/worksheet-screening-of-short-film.html.
