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By Masti Venkatesha Iyengar
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Masti Venkatesha Iyengar (6 June 1891 – 6 June 1986) was a well-known writer in Kannada language. He was the fourth among Kannada writers to be honored with the Jnanpith Award the highest literary honor conferred in India. He was popularly referred to as Maasti Kannadada Aasti which means "Maasti, Kannada's Treasure". He is most renowned for his short stories.
1. Comment on the influence of English-the language and the way of life- on Indian life as reflected in the story. What is the narrator’s attitude to English?
English language and its way of life has influenced many young men like Ranga. They talk in English or bring in English words while talking in their native language. The narrator considers it disgraceful and does not approve of it because he feels it is an insult to one’s regional language. He does not like Ranga’s views on marriage which clearly reflects the influence of English culture on the youngster. When Ranga says he would get married at the age of 30 and that too to a matured girl whom he would admire rather than going for arranged marriage. The narrator takes it as a challenge and gets him married according to the Hindu culture.
2. Astrologer's perceptions are based more on hearsay and conjecture than what they learn from the study of the stars. Comment with reference to the story.
Today's India and India of yesteryears, there is not much of a difference as far as the belief in astrology is concerned. People believed in astrologers then and now. What we do not understand is that no one can predict God's design. The astrologers like Shastri, themselves, do not really know the correct calculations of the planets, but they pretend to do so. Most of these predictions are based upon the information supplied earlier by someone. In the story, 'Ranga's Marriage', the Shastri is very well tutored by the narrator in advance. He tells Ranga exactly the same thing what the narrator asks him. He pretends to do all the calculations and moves his lips but these are all pretensions.
3. Indian society has moved a long way from the way the marriage is arranged in the story. Discuss.
It is true that the Indian society has evolved way beyond what has been portrayed in the story. Children today do not want to stay dependent on their parents or elders to choose their life partners. They now want to take control of their lives. They take the lead and decide themselves who they want to spend their lives with. Now that we have been independent for decades and have moved far ahead of medieval times. In Modern India, it can be observed that the culture of arranged marriage is returning. Hence, we can be sure of at least one thing that these are trends that come and go and people follow what is in fashion.
In the story 'Ranga's Marriage', the entire process of choosing a bride for Ranga is based upon the system, which was followed long back in our country. Now the scenario has changed completely. Rarely, marriages happen at a young age. People have become conscious about the fact that if the marriage has to last, a certain sense of maturity is required and this maturity can be obtained through education only. When the boys and the girls decide to get married, they always make a conscious decision. Now-a-days in India, marriages take place after the girl and boy consent to do so. In the story, 'Ranga's Marriage', the initiative for Ranga and Ratna's wedding was taken by the narrator. However, these days, we see a lot of changes taking place as far as the marriage scenario is concerned in India.
4. What kind of a person do you think the narrator is?
Shyama is person who respects a person who believes in their culture; for example, when Ranga payed homage to him, he bowed down and touched Shyama's feet as a namaskar. This made Shyama happy that even after studying away from home Ranga had not forgotten his roots. Even though Ranga was an educated boy and was determined to get married to a girl who is mature enough, Shyama arranged to get him married to Ratna, who was much younger and not at all the kind of girl he would have married. He also arranges a meeting with Shastri whom he had tutored thoroughly. He had decided that Ratna would be a suitable bride for him, this shows his beliefs in arrange marriage and also that he was a determined person who always got done what he had decided. He was a person who strongly believed in his tradition and culture.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Masti Venkatesha Iyengar (6 June 1891 – 6 June 1986) was a well-known writer in Kannada language. He was the fourth among Kannada writers to be honored with the Jnanpith Award the highest literary honor conferred in India. He was popularly referred to as Maasti Kannadada Aasti which means "Maasti, Kannada's Treasure". He is most renowned for his short stories.
1. Comment on the influence of English-the language and the way of life- on Indian life as reflected in the story. What is the narrator’s attitude to English?
English language and its way of life has influenced many young men like Ranga. They talk in English or bring in English words while talking in their native language. The narrator considers it disgraceful and does not approve of it because he feels it is an insult to one’s regional language. He does not like Ranga’s views on marriage which clearly reflects the influence of English culture on the youngster. When Ranga says he would get married at the age of 30 and that too to a matured girl whom he would admire rather than going for arranged marriage. The narrator takes it as a challenge and gets him married according to the Hindu culture.
2. Astrologer's perceptions are based more on hearsay and conjecture than what they learn from the study of the stars. Comment with reference to the story.
Today's India and India of yesteryears, there is not much of a difference as far as the belief in astrology is concerned. People believed in astrologers then and now. What we do not understand is that no one can predict God's design. The astrologers like Shastri, themselves, do not really know the correct calculations of the planets, but they pretend to do so. Most of these predictions are based upon the information supplied earlier by someone. In the story, 'Ranga's Marriage', the Shastri is very well tutored by the narrator in advance. He tells Ranga exactly the same thing what the narrator asks him. He pretends to do all the calculations and moves his lips but these are all pretensions.
3. Indian society has moved a long way from the way the marriage is arranged in the story. Discuss.
It is true that the Indian society has evolved way beyond what has been portrayed in the story. Children today do not want to stay dependent on their parents or elders to choose their life partners. They now want to take control of their lives. They take the lead and decide themselves who they want to spend their lives with. Now that we have been independent for decades and have moved far ahead of medieval times. In Modern India, it can be observed that the culture of arranged marriage is returning. Hence, we can be sure of at least one thing that these are trends that come and go and people follow what is in fashion.
In the story 'Ranga's Marriage', the entire process of choosing a bride for Ranga is based upon the system, which was followed long back in our country. Now the scenario has changed completely. Rarely, marriages happen at a young age. People have become conscious about the fact that if the marriage has to last, a certain sense of maturity is required and this maturity can be obtained through education only. When the boys and the girls decide to get married, they always make a conscious decision. Now-a-days in India, marriages take place after the girl and boy consent to do so. In the story, 'Ranga's Marriage', the initiative for Ranga and Ratna's wedding was taken by the narrator. However, these days, we see a lot of changes taking place as far as the marriage scenario is concerned in India.
4. What kind of a person do you think the narrator is?
Shyama is person who respects a person who believes in their culture; for example, when Ranga payed homage to him, he bowed down and touched Shyama's feet as a namaskar. This made Shyama happy that even after studying away from home Ranga had not forgotten his roots. Even though Ranga was an educated boy and was determined to get married to a girl who is mature enough, Shyama arranged to get him married to Ratna, who was much younger and not at all the kind of girl he would have married. He also arranges a meeting with Shastri whom he had tutored thoroughly. He had decided that Ratna would be a suitable bride for him, this shows his beliefs in arrange marriage and also that he was a determined person who always got done what he had decided. He was a person who strongly believed in his tradition and culture.
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