Tributes paid to Malgudi man

Mysore, Mar 7 (UNI) Litterateurs and academicians from across the globe reminisced the works of celebrated writer R K Narayan at a three-day international seminar which began at his hometown here today.

The seminar on the works of the Malgudi man followed the successful international symposium by the Sahitya Akademi and the Central Institute of Indian Languages here recently on the occasion of his birth centenary.

Delivering the keynote address at the seminar, organised by the English department of the University of Mysore, Prof Syd Harrex of Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia, dedicated his speech to the memory of late Prof C D Narasimaiah, acknowledging his legendary achievements in literary, cultural and historical studies and said his presentations were based on personal reminiscences. Although Mr Narayan's creation Malgudi was imaginary, the characters of that town could be seen in real life.

Stating that he had learnt a great deal about Mr Narayan from Prof Narasimaiah, he said ''I met Mr Narayan during my visit to Mysore in February 1971. Mr Narayan was more than happy to discuss the fusion of fact and fiction in his work.'' MORE UNI