The WORST episodes of Malgudi Days

#1 - The Gold Belt (सोने का कमरबंद)

Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired 7/29/1987

The Gold Belt is a story, which revolves around the evil system of dowry. After years of searching, Sambasivan finds a groom for his daughter who is right in all aspects. Moreover their horoscopes are a perfect match too. The wedding is fixed and grand celebration takes place and people are busy making last minute preparations. Everything seems to be going fine, and the auspicious moment nears, but there is no sign of the groom or his parents. A worried Sambasivan goes to invite them, but something terrible awaits him. The groom’s relatives refuse to attend the wedding unless a gold belt is also given to the bride as part of the wedding dowry. Sambasivan who has already spent all his life savings and has even taken a loan for the wedding is heartbroken. Sastri, a close friend of Sambasivan, comes to the rescue and rushes out to buy a gold belt. The wedding goes off smoothly and the groom’s family leaves along with the bride. Now Sambasivan is worried about how to pay for the gold belt. But good news awaits him. Sambasivan’s daughter proves to be smart: she has made her new husband agree to pay for the gold belt without the knowledge of his parents. They all conclude that they really have a smart daughter and they are happy!

#2 - Trail of the Green Blazer (पाकिट मार)

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/21/1987

This is the story of a pick – pocketier and his final outcome in life when he tries to take right path which is practically satire. Raju, who is a pick pocketer continues his profession bluffing his wife that he is earning ease from various business, etc. On one such occasion he follows a gentle man with the Green Blazer finds that he has bought some balloons for his daughter and ultimately pick pockets his purse. While removing the cash from the purse notices the balloon, which the man bought for his young daughter. He is really upset thinking what the child will feel when he goes back without the balloon. Raju push back the balloon in the purse and tries to put it back in the pocket of the gentleman with the Green Blazer. At that time he is caught, beaten up and handed over to police with the feeling that never again he will ever sympathize with anyone.

#3 - Naga (नागा) - Part I

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 12/9/1987

This is the story of Venkatesh, a Snake charmer and his son Pundi who perform various acts with live snake for their living. The boy develops love for the snake. Venkatesh, the snake charmer having lost his wife develops an association with another married woman. In the mean time they catch hold of a monkey and train it to perform in the public along with the snake.

#4 - Naga (नागा) - Part II

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 12/16/1987

This episode continues with the training of the newly caught monkey to perform in the public. Venkatesh, the snake charmer deserts his son and runs off with other woman and also takes the newly trained monkey for his living. Left at this, the boy tries to live by performing in public with the snake. The snake is old and is not above to raise even its hood. Pundi, the boy having developed association with the snake tries to feed it even though he goes hungry. With disgust he tries to get rid of the snake by leaving it in forest. When he sees an Eagle is about to attack the snake he rushes to the snake and protects it and take it back.

#5 - Vendor of Sweets (मिठाईवाला) - I

Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 5/13/1987

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian principle and taking part in Freedom struggle movement. His belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats of life, is totally disapproved by his own son who not only discontinues his education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns back home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friends Narasimha’s life. Jagan develops an affection for his daughter – in – law though she is an American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife deserves. In earlier days Jagan looses his wife because of his involvement in freedom struggle movement and not being able to spend the much needed time with his wife which has caused a repulsion in the attitude of Mali against his father. Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know – how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.

#6 - Vendor Of Sweets (मिठाईवाला) - II

Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 5/20/1987

agan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian principle and taking part in Freedom struggle movement. His belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats of life, is totally disapproved by his own son who not only discontinues his education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns back home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friends Narasimha’s life. Jagan develops an affection for his daughter — in — law though she is an American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife deserves. In earlier days Jagan looses his wife because of his involvement in freedom struggle movement and not being able to spend the much needed time with his wife which has caused a repulsion in the attitude of Mali against his father. Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know — how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.

#7 - Vendor Of Sweets (मिठाईवाला) III

Season 4 - Episode 3 - Aired 5/27/1987

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian principle and taking part in Freedom struggle movement. His belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats of life, is totally disapproved by his own son who not only discontinues his education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns back home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friends Narasimha’s life. Jagan develops an affection for his daughter – in – law though she is an American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife deserves. In earlier days Jagan looses his wife because of his involvement in freedom struggle movement and not being able to spend the much needed time with his wife which has caused a repulsion in the attitude of Mali against his father. Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know – how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.

#8 - Vendor Of Sweets (मिठाईवाला) - IV

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/3/1987

Jagan, an orthodox Hindu Brahmin and owner of a sweet meat shop, has come up the hard way in life following Gandhian principle and taking part in Freedom struggle movement. His belief in hand spun cloth that he wears, signifies purity in all formats of life, is totally disapproved by his own son who not only discontinues his education, goes to America, marries a girl of his choice and returns back home which causes an upheaval in Jagan and his friends Narasimha’s life. Jagan develops an affection for his daughter — in — law though she is an American and feels Mali is not giving the due attention his wife deserves. In earlier days Jagan looses his wife because of his involvement in freedom struggle movement and not being able to spend the much needed time with his wife which has caused a repulsion in the attitude of Mali against his father. Mali’s desire to start a story writing machine factory by the know — how from America and asking his father to invest on this venture throws the entire gear of “Malgudi Thinking” and this friction splits the family and Jagan starts living in seclusion in his own house. Ultimately Jagan wants to retire from active working at which time he is informed that his son Mali is caught by the police for drunkenness and has deserted his American wife also. Jagan refuses to assist Mali to get out of the police clutches and advises Narasimha, his friend and philosopher to take care of Mali’s wife and to provide her the passage money so that she can return back home. The conflict between the old and young generation, the ideas and ideals and the generation gap makes ‘Vendor of Sweets’ a story to be remembered for all times to come.

#9 - Vendor Of Sweets (मिठाईवाला) - V

Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/10/1987

#10 - Vendor Of Sweets (मिठाईवाला) - VI

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/14/1987

#11 - Vendor Of Sweets (मिठाईवाला) - VII

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 6/24/1987

#12 - Vendor of Sweets (मिठाईवाला) - VIII

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/1/1987

#13 - The Lawley Road (लॉली रोड) – Part 1

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/13/1988

‘Lawley Road’ is a charming story that begins with the Talkative man, an endearing character created by R.K. Narayan. In the episode, the Talkative Man recounts to his friends the incident of how he came to have a house in the New Extension in Malgudi though he is a mere freelance journalist. The story is set just after India had got her independence. A blanket seller, who used to sell blankets to the British, wins the election and becomes a Municipality chairman. Having won the election, the new chairman want to do things that will earn him posterity. His ambition leads to a number of hilarious incidents; including changing the names of the streets and causing utter confusion. The chairman however, is still not satisfied. He is on the look out to do more when he realizes that though India has got her independence, Sir Frederick, a British officer’s Statue stands proudly in the center of Malgudi. He wants to bring it down immediately. A plan to evacuate the statue is set in motion but the statue made out of metal proves to be a burden. Finally the Talkative man offers to take it if he is given it free of cost. The chairman agrees. The Talkative Man manages the Herculean task of bringing the statue to his home, but it gets stuck in the doorway. He and his family can neither get in to the house nor go out. His wife gets angry at the entire incident and leaves for her father’s house. In the meantime, the chairman gets a letter from the government saying Sir Frederick Lawley was a supporter of India’s Independence movement and that an error has been committed by removing his statues. The government also instructs that Sir Frederick Lawley Statue should immediately be reinstalled with honor. But the statue is stuck in the doorway of the Talkative man’s house. The talkative Man refuses to give back the statue. He ultimately strikes a deal with the chairman and sells his house along with the Sir Frederick Lawley’s Statue to the government as a Na

#14 - Dodu (दोड़ू)

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 9/9/1987

Dodu is a sweet touching story about a little boy who wants to make some money to buy little things he fancies. Being smart and enterprising, Dodu decides to use the pocket money his uncle has given him to buy stamps and sell them. His family members who buy the stamps fail to pay him. Thus making him incur losses. Once a stranger offers to buy stamps, but starts a fight when he discovers that Dodu is making a profit over the stamp. Thus ends Dodu’s business venture. One day he discovers that people buy writings done on palm leaves. Without knowing that the ones they buy are of historical importance and are heritages of the past, Dodu in all his innocence scribble on a palm leaf and takes it to the archeologists. The archeologists happens to be a kind and warm human being and he indulges Dodu by buying the leaf for a few coins. Dodu is happy, he walks away, munching on peanuts. R.K. Narayan is at his best when he writes about children and little dreams and aspirations. Dodu is one touching example.

#15 - Carrer (रामजी की लीला)

Season 3 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/4/1987

This is the story of Ramu, an orphan boy wanting to have a job with a merchant in the town of Malgudi. Being orphan, he takes pity on Ramu and employs him. Ramu develops association with the whole family in a manner that they begin trusting him totally. Sheshadri, the boy practically allows Ramu to handle total business including purchase and sale and he thinks of expanding the business with the assistance of Ramu who has become one of the family member. One day when Sheshadri was out of station and returns back, finds that his whole shop is empty and Ramu not only had swindle all the money but also borrowed money and disappeared. Sheshadri now forced to leave the town because of the heavy loss and after several years when he is going to a Temple, he sees a man begging on the steps of the temple who is affected by leprosy. He realizes that he is Ramu and tries to call him. When he turns back, he finds Ramu not there and has disappeared, leaving in the mind of the audience whatever they feel like.

#16 - The Snake Song (साँप का राग)

Season 3 - Episode 6 - Aired 8/26/1987

Snake Song is an incident that occurs in the Talkative Man’s life. He recounts an interesting and gripping anecdote to his friends when an argument starts about the difference between extraordinary music and mediocre music. The story unfolds with the Talkative Man having harbored ambitions of becoming a flautist and how it all came to an end. As per the traditional system of Gurushishya parampara, the Talkative Man, an orphan, had become the disciple of a famous music Guru. Just when he had mastered the art of playing the flute, an incident occurs in his life that shatters his dreams. One day, the Talkative Man turns away a hungry mendicant, as he is too busy practicing. The Mendicant loves the music, but goes away hunger — stricken cursing that this will be the last time the Talkative Man will ever play the flute. As the Talkative Man continue to practice the Punnaga Varali, the raga of the snakes, a real snake comes in and haunts him to continue playing non- stop till he drops out of sheer exhaustion. The Guru tells him that unless he manages to be forgiven by the mendicant he can never play the flute again. Thus ends the dreams of the Talkative Man of becoming a flutist. The story, like all R.K. Narayan’s masterpieces, t ells us that ambition alone is not enough to master an art, but being humane and compassionate is equally important in achieving one’s goals in life.

#17 - The Antidote (अंधविश्वास)

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 9/2/1987

The Antidote’ is a humorous tale that takes place entirely in the backdrops of a film shoot and its crew. The protagonist of the story, Gopal is also the hero of the Tele – film. The day of the shoot coincidentally happens to be his birthday. The scene that is to be shot on that day is of the hero’s death. But ironically the hero’s astrologer has forewarned him that he is not supposed to do anything inauspicious on that particular day. The hero requests, pleads and even begs the director, the scriptwriter and the producer to shoot the scene on some other day. But due to various constraints they refuse to abide by his wishes and insist on shooting it that very day. Terror stricken to the enact a death scene. Gopal finds a solution by winking at the camera at the last minute. This goes unnoticed by the camera man and the director. Gopal’s duplicity is revealed when they all preview the rushes. But everything ends well with the director forgiving Gopal and they decide to re – shoot the scene. The Antidote’ dwells lightly on people’s faith in superstitions and how by twisting events and circumstances everyone can be happy.

#18 - Minister Without Portfolio & Korean Grass

Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 9/16/1987

Minister without portfolio & Korean Grass is a hilarious political farce with R.K. Narayan’s unique satirical touch. The story is a series of funny events that take place around a Minister who happens to hold no portfolio. Having no portfolio also means a minister has no importance. Yet he wants to make himself useful and appear important. The incongruity of his position is reflected in the fact that he has to inaugurate, of all things, a crematorium. With plenty of time on his hands and nothing much to do, the minister plans all kinds of schemes which are of no worth to anyone. One such scheme is that of importing Korean grass, to make the landscape beautiful. His secretary plays along with the minister’s idiotic plans adding to the comical situation. Another one is to investigate the death of a child by a tiger in the zoo. His superiors always thwart the minister’s plan. It ends happily when the Chief Minister’s far off relatives dies, and the Minister without Portfolio has to inaugurate the crematorium with the dead body. He feels important that at least he is inaugurating the crematorium with an important, thigh dead, person.

#19 - Neighbour’s Help (पड़ौसी की मदद)

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/18/1987

The Neighbour’s help is a beautiful story that portrays true friendship never dies. Ekambaram and Ram are childhood friends: they have grown up together, and even got married around the same time, Ekambaram has a large family and find it difficult to manage on his meager lawyer’s income. However, Ram has inherited his father’s business, has a small family and is prosperous. One day, Ekambaram dies, leaving the family’s gold jewellery in Ram’s charge till such a time his son grown up. Ram is helpful and starts to give money to Ekambram’s family and educates his children. But soon his businessman’s instinct takes over and he thinks, he should start charging interest. One day when he sits down to calculate the interest in the quite of his farmhouse, Ekambaram’s ghost comes and taunts him about being greedy. Ram is shaken. He goes back home and tell his wife about Ekambaram’s ghostly visit. His wife laughs it off saying that it’s his own conscience that’s telling him not to be selfish and she advises not o be greedy and not to charge interest. Ram realizes his folly and makes it up to Ekambaram’s family helping his son get job. He returns the jewellery that has been his custody, and also gives them some money. Ram’s guilt conscience is appeased and he lives happily ever after.

#20 - Salt & Saw Dust (नमक और चीनी) – Part 1

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/25/1987

‘Salt & Stardust’ is a light story that reflects a young couple’s dreams and ambitions. Swamy works in a factory and Veena is a housewife. Veena is a bad cook, so Swamy cooks everyday before going to work. Veena harbors dreams of becoming a writer and Swamy brings her a notebook to write. Many days and months pass, and Veena has not progressed much with her story. Finally, with the help of Swamy, Veena manages to complete a story. The story is a comedy and tells the tale of a Chinese dentist who falls in love with his toothless patient and how they get married. Swamy is a very good cook, and he has a brilliant idea. He suggest that the story should not merely mention the grand wedding but also give details of what food was served at the banquet with details of every dish. He also suggests that the recipe of the food served should form a detailed portion for people to appreciate the book. Finally they send it to the publishers. The story ends hilariously when the publishers want to print only the recipes and not the story! Thus, Veena who does not know how to cook becomes a famous recipe writer with the help of her husband Swamy!

#21 - Salt & Saw Dust (नमक और चीनी) – Part 2

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/2/1987

#22 - The Lawley Road (लॉली रोड) – Part 2

Season 2 - Episode 19 - Aired 1/20/1988

#23 - Astrologer’s Day (कपट ज्योतिषी)

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/3/1988

A simple farmer was exploited constantly by the landlord, who is a drunk and debauch landlord. Unable to bear the torture, the farmer pushes him into a well and flees, fearing the police will catch him. But the landlord has a miraculous escape and survives as the well has dried up. For many years the landlord thirst for revenge and is on the search for the farmer. One day he hears of a famous astrologer who can predict almost anything under the sun. Though the landlord is very cynical about astrology, he decides to pay a visit to the astrologer at the insistence of a friend. The astrologer shocks the landlord when he precisely recounts the landlord’s past by narrating to him the attempt on his life by the farmer. When the landlord asks him for the whereabouts of the farmer the astrologer tells him that the farmer has met with a gruesome death and that he should stop his futile search. The landlord, somewhat appeased, leaves. The astrologer returns home and removes his disguise. We find that he is none other than the farmer himself! All these years the farmer has been guilt – ridden for having killed the landlord, but since finding out that the landlord is alive, he is happy and relieved and makes plan to lead a normal and open life. A light and lively tale, “An Astrologer’s Day” has R.K. Narayan’s satire with a twist in the tale.

#24 - Doctor’s Word (आख़िरी बात)

Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/10/1988

Dr. Raman has a reputation of foreseeing his patient’s future; life or death. He is known never to have gone wrong. But Dr. Raman faces a strange predicament when his closest friend Gopal falls ill and his is compelled to predict whether he is going to live or die. It is imperative that Gopal knows whether he is going to live or die since he has to sign papers concerning property documents. If he does not sign them, his family will be poverty stricken. But if Dr. Raman allows him to sign them, that would mean giving his friend not even an iota of hope. After much contemplation, Dr. Raman decides to play with fate and for the first time lies to Gopal. He tells Gopal that he has to fear no more and that he is going to live for many years to come. After the surgery, Dr. Raman has no hope, but to his surprise, Gopal’s health steadies and he becomes hale and hearty! In this simple tale, R.K. Narayan plays between the virtues of honesty against dishonesty, and end up showing the strength of a determined spirit and that dishonesty works too when the intension are good.

#25 - Four Rupees (चार रुपये)

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/24/1988

‘Four Rupees’ is a delightful story of Ranga a poor man who is lazy and good for nothing. The story begins with Ranga being scolded by his wife to go and look for job, as they do not have anything to eat. Reluctantly, Ranga goes out and asked people for odd jobs such as climbing the coconut tree and plucking the coconuts. At all his efforts are to no avail. As he sits dejected in the market road, a servant comes by and seeks his help to fetch an antique pot, which has fallen into the well. He even promises good money. Ranga is enticed by the offer, but is scared to get into the well. But the servant leaves him no choice and drags him along. When they reach the rich man’s house, Ranga is petrified looking at the deep well and wants to back out, but the entire family coaxes him to get into well. To postpone the impending task, Ranga claims he is hungry and they feed him like a royal prince. They even increase his fee for fetching the pot. Finally, mustering enough courage, Ranga goes into the well and by accident retrieves the pot. He goes home with four rupees, a box of sweets and new clothes much to the disbelief of his wife who thinks he must have stolen the money. He tells her of his ordeal of getting into the well but the wife does not believe him. When he notices a similar looking antique pot belonging to the mother – in – law Ranga starts running, shouting that he will not return till the pot is taken away from his sight.