Under the Banyan Tree and Other Stories (1985) stands out as one of Narayan’s most celebrated short story collections. It features numerous brief narratives, primarily character sketches, that he initially crafted for The Hindu in Madras during his early writing days. Among these is ‘‘Like the Sun,’’ an Indian rendition of the classic story about a man compelled to always speak the truth.

Of his fourteen novels, Narayan has expressed that his personal favorite is A Tiger for Malgudi. This novel, set in the same fictional town that appears in much of his work, blends Indian folktales and myths. The story is uniquely narrated by Raja, a tiger.

Saros Cowasjee has compiled two notable anthologies of Indian short stories: Stories from the Raj: From Kipling to Independence (1982) and More Stories from the Raj: From Kipling to the Present Day (1986). Although these books are currently out of print, they can still be found in most substantial libraries. These collections showcase the diversity and strength of Indian short fiction.

Many critics draw parallels between Narayan’s fictional town of Malgudi and William Faulkner’s Yoknapatawpha County, though they often note that Faulkner’s perspective is more somber. Faulkner’s Collected Stories (1950, 1977) includes numerous tales set in his invented county, featuring many recurring characters.

Published in 1924, before India gained independence from Britain, E. M. Forster’s A Passage to India explores the complexities of interracial friendships in colonial India. During this period of heightened tensions, even the most open-minded British characters find their empathy and rationality overshadowed by racial biases.

The Ramayana narrates the adventures of the ruler Rama, who loses his kingdom and allies with the monkey king Sugriva to reclaim his wife and throne. Written around 300 B.C., the Ramayana has been translated into English numerous times, including Narayan’s own version, The Ramayana: A Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic (1972).

Regarded as the longest poem ever composed, the Mahabharata, or the Great Epic of the Bharata Dynasty, was created between 200 B.C. and A.D. 200. It encompasses many of the most famous stories and legends of Indian culture. This epic, too, has seen various English translations, including a 1978 version by Narayan titled The Mahabharata: A Shortened Prose Version of the Indian Epic.

Clear Light of Day (1980), written by the significant Indian novelist and short story writer Anita Desai, tells the story of two sisters, Tara and Bim. They endure family strife, political upheaval, and a disease outbreak in early 20th-century India, ultimately discovering that forgiveness has the power to mend old wounds.