Correct option is C
The correct answer is (c) ‘The English Teacher’ and ‘Waiting for the Mahatma’
R.K. Narayan, one of India's most celebrated authors, is the writer of ‘The English Teacher’ and ‘Waiting for the Mahatma’.
‘The English Teacher’ (1945) deals with themes of love, loss, and the supernatural, centered around the personal life of Narayan’s protagonist, Krishna.
‘Waiting for the Mahatma’ (1955) is a novel set during India’s freedom struggle and focuses on the character of Sriram, who is inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings.
Both novels highlight Narayan's signature style of simple, everyday narratives and his insight into human nature and society.
Why other options are incorrect:
(a) ‘In Custody’ and ‘Fire on the Mountain’: These novels are by Rohinton Mistry, not R.K. Narayan.
(b) ‘The Cat and Shakespeare’ and ‘On the Ganga Ghat’: These novels were written by Shashi Tharoor, not R.K. Narayan.
(d) ‘The Poison Tree’ and ‘Ananda Math’: ‘The Poison Tree’ is a poem by William Blake, and ‘Ananda Math’ was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, not R.K. Narayan.
Information Booster:
R.K. Narayan is known for his fictional town of Malgudi, which serves as the backdrop for many of his novels.
His writing style is characterized by its simplicity, humour, and humanism, often dealing with themes such as social change, relationships, and the Indian way of life.
Apart from the above novels, Narayan’s works include ‘Malgudi Days’, ‘The Bachelor of Arts’, and ‘The Guide’, which are all considered classics in Indian literature.
Additional Information:
‘The English Teacher’ was deeply influenced by Narayan’s own experiences with grief after the death of his wife.
‘Waiting for the Mahatma’ is set against the backdrop of India’s independence movement, weaving together personal stories with national struggles.