Published Paper Details:

R.K. Narayan is one of the foremost writers of Indian English literature, celebrated for his realistic portrayal of Indian society and its cultural diversity. His novels provide a vivid picture of the socio-cultural realities of India during the colonial and postcolonial periods, reflecting the changing patterns of education, family life, religion, tradition, modernization, and individual identity. Through the fictional town of Malgudi, Narayan presents the everyday experiences of ordinary people while capturing the gradual transformation of Indian society. His works reveal the interaction between traditional values and modern influences, illustrating how individuals negotiate social change in different historical contexts. This article examines the socio-cultural realities represented in Narayan's selected novels, Swami and Friends (1935) and The Guide (1958). Using a qualitative and comparative approach, the study analyses the portrayal of colonial education, family relationships, cultural traditions, gender roles, morality, religion, and modernization. It explores how Swami and Friends reflects the social atmosphere of colonial India, particularly the influence of British education and traditional family values, while The Guide portrays the complexities of postcolonial India through themes of social mobility, individual freedom, women's empowerment, and moral transformation. The study argues that Narayan presents socio-cultural change as a gradual and continuous process rather than a sudden break from tradition. His characters adapt to new social realities while maintaining strong connections with their cultural heritage. Through realism, humour, and psychological insight, Narayan portrays both the challenges and opportunities created by social transformation. The article concludes that Narayan's selected works are valuable literary documents that record India's transition from colonial rule to an independent modern nation. His fiction continues to offer significant insights into the relationship between literature, society, and cultural change, making it an important contribution to Indian English literary studies.