Swami and Friends is the first of a series of novels written by R. K.

Narayan (1906–2001), English language novelist

from India. The novel, the first book Narayan wrote, is set in British India in a town called Malgudi. The second and third
books in the trilogy are The Bachelor of Arts and The English Teacher.
The novel follows a ten-year-old schoolboy, Swaminathan, and his attempts to court the favour of a much wealthier
schoolboy, Rajam.
Malgudi Schooldays is a slightly abridged version of Swami and Friends, and includes two additional stories featuring
Swami from Malgudi Days and Under the Banyan Tree.[1]
Characters
Albert Mission School friends
 W.S. Swaminathan: A ten-year-old boy studying at Albert Mission School, Malgudi. He lives in Vinayaka Mudali Street.
He is later transferred to Board High School.
 Mani: Swami's classmate at Albert Mission School, lives in Abu Lane, he is known as 'Mighty good-for-nothing'.[5][6] He
carries around a club sometimes, and threatens to beat his enemies to a pulp. He is hardly concerned about his
studies.
 M. Rajam: Swami's classmate at Albert Mission School, lives in Lawley Extension. His father is the Deputy Police
Superintendent of Malgudi. He previously studied at an English Boys' School, Madras. He is also the Captain of
Malgudi Cricket Club (MCC).
 Somu : Monitor of 1st Form A Section, lives in Kabeer Street. He fails in 1st Form and is "automatically excluded from
the group".
 Sankar: Swami's classmate in 1st Form A Section. His father gets transferred at the end of the term. He is the most
brilliant boy of the class.
 Samuel ("The Pea"): Swami's classmate in 1st Form A Section. He is known as "The Pea" because of his height.
Swami's house[edit]
 W. T. Srinivasan: Swami's father, a lawyer
 Lakshmi: Swami's mother, homemaker
 Swami's grandmother
 Swami's late grandfather (sub-magistrate)
 Subbu: Swami's younger brother
Others[edit]
 Rajam's father - A Deputy Police Superintendent
 Rajam's mother
 The Headmaster of Albert Mission School
 Mr. Ebenezer - A teacher at Albert Mission School, a Christian Ideologist
 The Head master of the Board School
 Dr. Kesavan - A physician in the Board School
 Mr. Nair - An officer at District Forest Office
 Ranga - A cart man
 Sir. Peter - a famous footballer
 N
Swami and Friends Summary
Ch

A young boy named Swami wakes up on Monday morning in the town of Malgudi in South India. He rushes through his
homework at his desk in his father’s room and then goes to the Mission School, where he is bored throughout most of his
classes. Swami gets a bad grade on his mathematics homework and then, in his scripture class, gets into an argument
with his teacher Mr. Ebenezar, a Christian fanatic. Swami is offended at his teacher’s dismissal of the value of Hinduism
and arrives at school the next day carrying a letter from his father to the Mission School Headmaster, in which his father
complains to the headmaster that the school does not welcome non-Christian boys.

Swami tells his four closest friends about the letter. These boys are Somu, the friendly class monitor; Mani, a powerful
but lazy bully; Sankar, “the most brilliant boy of the class”; and a small boy named Samuel, nicknamed “The Pea,” who is
not remarkable in any way except that he makes Swami laugh more than anyone else. Later in the day, the headmaster
scolds Ebenezar but also tells Swami not to report incidents to his father in the future, saying that the boys should instead
turn to the headmaster with any problems.
On the subsequent evening, Swami and Mani sit on the banks of the Sarayu river, discussing a classmate
named Rajam who Mani wishes to throw into the river. It becomes clear that Rajam is known in school as a kind of rival to
Mani, due to his fearlessness, intelligence, and wealth. Rajam’s father is also the Police Superintendent. Swami insists
that he supports Mani more than anyone else, and when they return to school Swami begins acting as a go-between for
the two rivals. Eventually, they decide to meet for a fight on the banks of the river to see who is more powerful. But when
the time for the fight comes, Rajam suggests that they put aside their differences and become friends, to which Mani
happily agrees. Having always admired Rajam, Swami is also delighted at this turn of events and glad to be the friend of
both powerful boys.

The reader is introduced to Swami’s grandmother, whom he calls Granny. She lives with Swami’s family in a small
passageway, and Swami feels safe and secure in her company. Swami excitedly describes Rajam to Granny and,
although she tries to tell him stories of his own grandfather’s similarly impressive accomplishments, Swami refuses to
listen. On a Saturday shortly thereafter, Swami ignores his grandmother’s requests to spend time with him and instead
goes with Mani to Rajam’s house, where they are impressed by his luxurious home, numerous toys, and the delicious
food his cook serves.

Back at school, Swami runs into his three friends Somu, Sankar, and The Pea. However, they are unfriendly to him and
make a joke about a “tail.” After school, Swami makes Somu tell him about their joke, which it turns out refers to their
calling him “Rajam’s tail” because they believe Swami now thinks himself too good for his old friends. The rejection by his
friends is the “first shock” of Swami’s life, and he reflects miserably on how quickly people can change. At home, he
makes a paper boat and puts an ant on it, then watches as the boat is consumed in a flood of water. As the days
continue, Swami’s friends continue to ignore him, and school becomes an increasingly painful experience.
On another Saturday, Swami excitedly prepares for Rajam to visit his house. He anxiously orders his father, mother,
grandmother, and cook through various preparations. The visit goes well, and Rajam even charms Granny with his
stories. The next time Swami attends school, he is again faced by his old friends mocking him, and he slaps both the Pea
and Sankar. Joined by Somu and Mani, the group goes outside, and Swami explains to Mani that the other three call him
Rajam’s tail. Mani defends Rajam and fights with Somu until the other boys get the headmaster to break up the fight.

Three weeks later, Swami and Mani go to Rajam’s house again, this time because Swami told them he had a surprise for
them. When they arrive, they jokingly pretend to be a blind puppy and a blind kitten to get Rajam to let them in, only to
discover when they open their eyes that Somu, Sankar, and the Pea are also present. Rajam serves the group food and
then lectures them all on the value of friendship, offering them each a gift if they promise not to be enemies any more.
One by one, each boy accepts his gift.

At Swami’s home, his mother has been in bed for two days and seems confusingly changed to him. Granny tells him that
he is going to have a baby brother, but he is indifferent even when the baby is born, telling the Pea that the baby is
“hardly anything.” The Pea assures him that the baby will grow up quickly.

In April, Swami and his classmates have only two weeks before their school exams. Swami’s father forces him to study
constantly, and all of his friends are also unhappy under the stress of studying. Swami only feels that his efforts are
worthwhile when his father compliments his work. Shortly before the exam, Swami makes a list of supplies that he needs
and, disappointed that “his wants were so few,” he makes a more complicated list and brings it to his father. His father
scolds him and refuses to give him money to buy supplies, instead telling him to take supplies from their desk at home.

At last, Swami’s final exam is over. He worries that he finished faster than his friends and did not write enough for one
question, but his worry quickly turns to excitement as the other students finish and form a joyful crowd to celebrate the
end of school. The group of boys destroys paper and ink bottles, creating happy chaos until a school administrator breaks
up their celebration.

Without school in session, Swami realizes that he is closer friends with Mani and Rajam than with Somu, Sankar, and the
Pea. He also wishes to get a hoop to play with, and gives some money to a coachman who promises to get him one, only
to realize that the coachman tricked him. Rajam forms a plan in which Mani will kidnap the coachman’s son as revenge,
but the plan goes awry when the boy gets away and his neighbors attack Mani and Swami to chase them away. Sitting on
a road outside town and feeling frustrated, the three friends accost a young cart boy named Karuppan, frightening him
with claims that they are the Government Police before eventually letting him go.

Soon thereafter, Swami’s father begins making him study again even though school is out. Feeling sorry for Swami after a
long day of work, however, his father also brings him along to visit his club in the evening. Swami enjoys the visit until he
realizes that the coachman’s son works at the club. He becomes increasingly fearful that the boy will attack him, not even
trusting his father to protect him, and cannot relax until they leave.

In August, Swami and Mani find themselves in the midst of a protest for Indian independence. Moved by the speakers,
Swami and Mani swear to support India against England and boycott English goods, with Swami even burning
his cap when someone suggests that it’s foreign-made. The next day, Swami is nervous about not wearing a cap to
school, but finds a crowd of protesters blocking entrance to his school. The group says that school is canceled due to the
imprisonment of an Indian political worker, and Swami gets caught up in breaking windows and destroying property at
both the Mission School and the nearby Board School. Eventually, the protest moves to a square in town, where Swami
sees Rajam’s father order his policemen to violently disperse the crowd, a sight that shocks and frightens Swami. Later,
his father expresses sympathy for the protesters but scolds Swami for losing his cap, saying it was made in India all
along. The next day in school, the headmaster punishes all of the students who participated in the protest and Swami
angrily runs away in the middle of class.

Six weeks later, Rajam finds Swami to tell him that he forgives his political activity and to invite him to form
a cricket team. Swami has transferred to the Board School, while his group of friends back at the Mission School has
broken up: Somu was held back, Sankar moved away, and the Pea started school late. Swami agrees to join the cricket
team, and he and Rajam call themselves the M.C.C. With Mani, they write a letter to a sporting goods company ordering
supplies. Although the company writes back asking for a deposit, the boys continue believing that their supplies will arrive
and begin practicing with improvised equipment in the meantime. Swami quickly reveals himself to be a good bowler and
earns the nickname Tate, after a famous bowler.

Swami discovers that the workload at the Board School is heavier than he is used to and also that it requires him to
participate in daily afterschool drill practices. Consequently, Swami leaves school too late to attend cricket practice on
time, which makes Rajam angry. One evening, Swami is concerned about his grandmother, whom he ignored earlier in
the day when she said she didn’t feel well. He is relieved to find that she is well, but she disappoints him when she does
not know what cricket is. However, Swami decides to educate her rather than scolding her. When Swami continues to be
late to practice, Rajam decides to confront the Board School Headmaster and convince him to let Swami leave school
early. Although Swami protests, he insists, and leads Swami to the headmaster’s office. The headmaster ignores their
request and Rajam eventually gives up his effort.

The M.C.C. schedules a cricket match against another local team, but Swami is still not able to get enough practice time.
With only a week left before the match, he decides to try and get a pass from a physician named Dr. Kesavan. Dr.
Kesavan proclaims Swami healthy but agrees to tell his headmaster that Swami should get to miss drill practice.
Delighted, Swami skips drill practice every day to attend cricket, only to find at the end of the week that the doctor never
spoke to the headmaster. The headmaster threatens to cane Swami, but Swami throws the cane out the window and runs
away. Swami fears that his father will be too angry to let him live at home without attending school, so he decides to run
away. He goes to the Mission School and, after reminiscing about how much he loved being a student there, he finds
Rajam to say goodbye. However, Rajam convinces Swami to run away only briefly before participating in the match and
then leaving for good.

The narration’s perspective switches to Swami’s father, who wanders the town alone late at night, looking for Swami.
Swami has not been seen for hours and his mother and grandmother are sick with worry, with his father growing anxious
as well. After looking everywhere else he can think of, Swami’s father fearfully peers into the Sarayu to see if Swami has
drowned. Not finding him, he continues to walk along the rail lines.

The narration returns to Swami, who is wandering on a quiet road far from home. He reflects that he was foolish to leave
over such a trivial problem and wishes to be back home with his family. He decides to return home but unwittingly goes
the wrong way, becoming more and more lost until he at last begins to hallucinate in despair, thinking that he is being
attacked by animals. He falls unconscious after a fantasy of winning the cricket match. The next morning, a cart man
named Ranga finds Swami in the road and takes him to the District Forest Office, where an officer named Mr. Nair helps
Swami figure out who he is and where he is from. Soon, Swami’s father takes him home with the assistance of Rajam’s
father, where he is content to celebrate among his family until Mani arrives and informs him that he has missed the cricket
match. Having thought that the match was the next day, Swami is devastated. Mani also says that Rajam is furious, so
Swami resolves to speak with Rajam the next day and repair their friendship.

Ten days later, Swami still has not spoken with Rajam due to fear of his reaction. However, he has learned that Rajam’s
father has been transferred and the family is about to move away. Swami searches his possessions for a going-away
present for Rajam, settling on a book of fairy tales, and resolves to go to the train station in the morning to give it to
Rajam. Swami goes to the station but is again too intimidated to talk to Rajam, who gets on the train without saying
goodbye. Panicking, Swami asks Mani for help and the two boys run alongside the train, finally giving Rajam the book.
Rajam seems to say something to Swami, but his words are lost under the noise of the train. Mani tells Swami that Rajam
has his address and will write, but Swami is unsure if Mani is telling the truth.

Who is Rajam in Swami and Friends?

Rajam: Swami's classmate at Albert Mission School, lives in Lawley Extension. His father is the Deputy Police
Superintendent of Malgudi. He previously studied at an English Boys' School, Madras. He is also the Captain of Malgudi
Cricket Club (MCC).

What kind of boy was Swaminathan?

Answer. Answer: Mani considered Swaminathan a coward because he was unable to brought Lime pickle from his house
as his mother was all the time in the kitchen. Yes, Swaminathan was a coward because he did not have the courage to be
friend of Rajam even though he was very fond of him.

What is the role of Mani Sir in Gopala's life?

mani sir is a wise,observative and an intetelligent person. mani sir went near gopala and shared his life experience about
the tamarind and the gauva tree. and made him understand about his life experience. and also did not [reach gopala and
made gopala happy an forget about his past.

Why was GOpal suspended according to Mani Sir?

Answer: Gopala was suspended because sir had thought that if the school hadn't suspended him,the other boy's parents
would have gone to the police.
Who is the character of Somu?
Somu is one of Swami's friends from the Mission School. He is the class monitor and gets along well with everyone,
students and teachers, although he does not excel academically.

Swami is excited because ________________ is going to visit his house for the first time.

Rajam Somu Sankar

Swami lives in a town called ______________.

Mehsana Morbi Malgudi

______________________ authored the book 'Swami and Friends'.

R.L.Stevenson R.Frost R.K.Narayan

Swami's afraid of his ____________.

granny mother father

_____________ River flows through the town of Malgudi.

Saraswati Narmada Sarayu

How did Swami feel when saw 'TAIL' written on the board?

Happy Sad Angry

This character in the story boasts about his wooden clubs.

Rajam Somu Mani

Rajam's father is a ________________.

Lawyer Teacher Police Superintendent

Whom did Mani approach before his examinations?

Head Master Father Clerk

Swaminathan went to ______________________ School.

JG International Delhi Public Albert Mission

sketch the character of the following characters

Swami

Swami is the ten-year-old protagonist of the novel. Swami is a schoolboy living in 1930, in the fictional town of
Malgudi in the South of India under British colonial rule. At the start of the novel, Swami is a typical child who seems
outwardly innocent, with only trivial concerns such as homework, impressing his classmates, and avoiding
disappointing his father. Swami is considered average among his friends, neither especially clever nor stupid, brave
nor cowardly. He is generally good-natured and gets along well with his peers and family, although he can be arrogant
or deceitful at times, and is easily swept up in the plans and enthusiasms of others. As the novel progresses, Swami
becomes more aware of his own identity and political consciousness and begins to define himself more in terms of his
friendships and national identity than his family relationships. Swami is also a naturally good cricket bowler and prides
himself on being nicknamed “Tate,” after a famous cricket player.

Swami is the central character of the plot. He is also the protagonist of the play. As a child, he goes to school where he
does not like studies and gets bored easily. He is an honest boy of seven but, on the other hand, he also does not
hesitate telling lies to his father. He loves his granny’s stories. He is good at cricket and is nicknamed “Tate.” He saw
the revolution phase of Indian independence. Later in the course of the novel, he became bolder and socially prominent.

The protagonist of the novel Swaminathan (Swami) is a school going boy. He belongs to a South Indian middle-
class family. His family comprises of his grandmother, mother, father, and mother. In the initial trenches of the story,
his younger brother was born. He epitomizes the innocence of a youth mischievousness that childhood necessitates.

The plot of Swami and Friends revolves around Swaminathan, the central protagonist, who initially typifies
the innocence of youth and all the mischievousness that childhood entails. He prefers cricket to school, takes his
family for granted, and attempts to play out childhood fantasies in the often reckless games and stunts he pursues with
his shifting group of friends. Initially coming across as passive and timid–more likely to follow than to lead the crowd
(as we witness in the mob scene of Chapter 12)–and overshadowed amongst his peers by the more self-assured Mani
and Rajam, Swaminathan, however, becomes bolder and more socially prominent over the course of the novel. The
most vital player on the cricket team, it is ultimately, Swaminathan, and not Rajam or Mani that holds the key to
M.C.C.’s victory. And though his rebellion against the headmaster results in childish flight, he openly and boldly defies
the central authority figure of his school without waiting for Rajam’s support, and without the support of an angry mob
to fuel his courage. While the novel centers on a brief period in Swaminathan’s life, in this brief journey, we witness
the revolutionary change happening in India, and the subtle revolution of character and understanding that takes place
within Swaminathan…

Rajam

Rajam is the son of the Police Superintendent and one of Swami’s closest friends. Rajam is new to Swami’s school at
the start of the novel, and initially Swami and Mani view him as an enemy due to his quick wits, fine clothes, and
fearless nature. However, Rajam quickly becomes friends with Rajam and Swami and acts as their ringleader for the
remainder of the novel. Rajam does well in school and is liked by most of his classmates, and he draws confidence
from his father’s prominent position (Rajam’s father is the Police Superintendent), although it also causes him to
oppose the political activity that his friends support. Rajam sometimes bullies his friends and acquaintances, but more
often he unites them and urges them toward new goals, most notably the formation of a cricket team. Swami loves and
admires Rajam but comes into conflict with him, first because Swami supports political action that opposes Rajam’s
father, and later because he doesn’t live up to his promise on Rajam’s cricket team. Rajam is so angry at Swami for
missing the cricket match that he stops speaking to him, and it is unclear at the novel’s end whether the two friends
have reconciled.

Rajam is the new kid at the Albert Mission School and is Swami’s rival turned best friend. Rajam is good at studies,
speaks English “like a European,” and is the son of the police superintendent, which gives him more attention and
status at school. He is witty and fearless in nature and naturally assumes authority in social settings. It is his idea to start
a cricket team. The character of Rajam: Rajam was the guy with an endearing personality. He is smarter and grown-
up than Mani. He believes in self-respect. Rajam is very sincere in academics. He likes assisting or helping his friends
in academics. Mani possesses a propensity for domination amongst every one of his age but Rajat didn’t feel that
within him. In fact, Rajam tries to put forward a hand for friendship with Mani. He wanted to settle the enmity with
Mani and this signify the nobility Rajam has got with him.

Mani

Known as “the Mighty Good-For-Nothing,” Mani is Swami’s other closest friend. Mani is a fearless troublemaker who
never does his homework, sleeps in class, and frequently resorts to violence to solve his problems. However, he is also
a loyal and affectionate friend, and Swami is proud to be allied with him. Mani often plays a supporting role in Swami
and Rajam’s friendship, though at the end of the novel it is Mani, rather than Swami, who takes on the role of Rajam’s
best friend. Mani lives with a frightening uncle, but little else is known about his family or background.

Another close friend of Swami, Mani is described as the “Mighty Good-For-Nothing.” He is a bold and strong figure
in his class. He is not good at studies and purposefully slacks off, but he likes fighting and no one dares to challenges
him, even the teachers. Mani likes to dominate the whole class and also bully some of his classmates.
Swami’s Father
Swami’s father, W.T. Srinivasan, is an imposing figure who works at the courts and is usually strict with Swami.
Swami sometimes feels afraid of his father, but at other times he turns to him for help and support. Swami’s father
encourages Swami to study hard and helps him with homework and, notably, provides Swami with a study space within
his own room. Late in the novel, Swami’s father reveals that his concern for Swami’s wellbeing outweighs his
frustrations with his son, as shown when he searches for Swami all night and welcomes him home without punishment.

Swaminathan’s father is a lawyer by profession. He is stern and authoritarian, but caring. He worries about his son’s
studies and encourages him to study hard. Sometimes he is overly strict, but later in the novel he also shows his
concern for the well-being of his son.

Swami’s Mother
Swami’s mother appears in the novel only occasionally, usually in the context of providing Swami with something he
wants or backing him up in an argument with his father. She is presented as a mild woman who is mostly concerned
with her family and managing the household. She loves Swami deeply and also gives birth to a baby boy, Swami’s
brother, who occupies her attention for much of the novel.

Swaminathan’s mother is in charge of the house and cares for Swami both materially and emotionally. She defends
Swami in his arguments with his father. However, her appearances are occasional. She is the character that Swami
misses the most when he runs away from the house.
Swami’s Grandmother / Granny Quotes in Swami and
Friends
Swami’s paternal grandmother, whom he calls Granny, is an old woman who lives with Swami and
his mother and father. Swami views Granny as ancient and sometimes embarrassing, but she is also a source of
comfort and security during times of change, particularly when Swami’s brother is born. Granny sometimes tries to tell
Swami stories about the family’s past, but he usually refuses to listen, indicating his preoccupation with his own
present concerns. Swami grows more concerned with Granny’s needs over the course of the story, beginning to see
himself as a caretaker for her and making more of an effort to meet her needs.

Granny is described as a sweet and sleepy lady whom Swami will often go to and tell stories about his day. She is
a religious woman. She tells Swami the stories of her past. Her relationship with Swami changes throughout the novel.

Swami’s grandmother was a short and fat and a slightly bent woman. She was a notably a religious woman. She
had inner beauty intact with her rather than physical. She was not an attractive woman as she herself says she wasn’t
pretty. He lived with her in his childhood days. He describes her as a good friend of his. She used to wake him up
during the school days and prepare breakfast for him. After the breakfast is being done his grandmother hand over the
pen, wooden slate, and earthen ink-pot to him. While Swami attended school his grandmother would study the
scriptures in the temple which his nearby his school

Swami’s Brother
Swami’s unnamed baby brother is born midway through the novel. While Swami at first thinks little of his brother, he
soon grows fond of him and admires how quickly he learns and grows. Swami’s brother also presents a unique
challenge to Swami, in that he occupies the family’s attention and makes it so that Swami is no longer the sole focus of
his parents’ and grandmother’s affection.

He is the only sibling to Swami. He is born midway through the novel. He captures the prime attention of his
family. Swami too cares for his little brother. However, this character has no major role as he remains a child
throughout the novel.

Rajam’s Father
Rajam’s father is the Police Superintendent and acts as a powerful figure in the community. Swami and Mani are
initially very excited to be associated with the Police Superintendent through their new friend Rajam, and Swami is
impressed with the luxury of his household. Later, Rajam’s father becomes a symbol of political conflict when Swami
witnesses him ordering the police force to violently break up the crowd of protesters. However, Rajam’s father remains
kind in person to Rajam and his friends, and plays an important role in rescuing Swami at the novel’s conclusion.

Somu
Somu is one of Swami’s friends from the Mission School. He is the class monitor and gets along well with everyone,
students and teachers, although he does not excel academically. Swami thinks of Somu as the “uncle of the class.”
When Somu treats Swami unkindly, the experience is one of the first times that Swami is forced to admit that the
people around him are more complex than he might have guessed. Later in the novel, Somu disappears from the group
of friends after failing an exam, and thus not being promoted to the next grade.
 Somu is Swami’s school friend from the Albert Mission School. He is the monitor of Swami’s class and carries
himself with an easy and confident air. Swami calls him the “uncle of the class.”

The Palace of Illusions Summary

About Author

Chitra Divakaruni is a renowned author of 21 books, which include Mistress of Spices, Palace of Illusions, Sister of My Heart,
The Forest of Enchantments, and The Last Queen, Before We Visit the Goddess. She is also an activist, lecturer, speaker, and
prestigious writer. Her most recent book, Independence, tells the journey of 3 sibling sisters as India breaks free from
British rule in a devastated war in Calcutta. She writes both for youngsters and adults.

Her writing has been featured in over a hundred journals and anthologies, including The Best American Short Stories, The
Atlantic, The New Yorker, and the O. Henry Prize Stories. It has additionally been translated into many other languages
approx. 30 different languages, including Japanese, Dutch, Hungarian, Hebrew, Turkish, Bengali, and Hindi. Her writings
have been staged as operas and adapted into movies, plays, and ballet dramas.
She has won several honors, including the American Book Award, the PEN Josephine Miles Award, the Light of India Award,
and the Premio Scanno as well. She was listed as one of the 20 Most Influential Global Indian Women in the year 2015 by
The Economic Times as well. She teaches creative writing as a McDavid professor at the renowned University of Houston in
the Creative Writing Programme, where she also resides with her spouse Murthy.

As a domestic violence and education activist, Divakaruni has worked significantly together with non-profit organizations
Pratham, which educates children from impoverished backgrounds in India, Akshaya Patra, which provides meals to Indian
schoolchildren, and Daya and Maitri, which helps individuals who survive domestic violence to start over.

The Palace of Illusions Summary

The Palace of Illusions, a 2008 book by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, is based on the legendary Hindu epic holy history known
as "The Mahabharata". Panchaali, a princess birthed from fire, tells the story from her point of view. Dhri, her brother, was
also born similarly. They live in a universe where magic and supernatural entities are prevalent. King Drupad, the father of
Panchaali, raises her in the palace and seeks vengeance on his rival Drona.

The wise man Vyasa said that Panchaali would grow up to be a great and strong queen who would be married to five men.
Vyasa, however, also asserts that Panchaali would bring about significant harm in her kingdom. The deity Krishna serves as
Panchaali's mentor and protector throughout her life.
As soon as Panchaali reaches the age of marriage, King Drupad holds a competition to find her a spouse. Mighty warrior
Karna first succeeds in the contest's archery test alone, but Panchaali disgraced him by inquiring about his parents. She
has love feelings for him despite the fact that he is unable to provide a response to her question. Karna leaves feeling
ashamed. Another among the Pandava princes, Arjun, intervenes and triumphs in the competition. Panchaali visits Arjun's
relatives back home. Panchaali must wed the other 4 Pandava brothers, according to Kunti, his mother. After their cousin
Duryodhan attempted to murder them with a fire, the Pandavas fled into hiding.

King Bheeshma separates the empire of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, who are ruled by Duryodhan after Panchaali
married the Pandava siblings. The Pandavas settle in the Palace of Illusions, a wondrous edifice that Panchaali grows to
adore, and construct the thriving city of Indra Prastha. Duryodhan is humiliated when he falls into a pool while on a visit
and the people around Panchaali laugh at him.

The eldest Pandava, Yudhisthir, stakes the Pandavas' palace and liberties in a dice game the next time they go to
Duryodhan. As a result, Panchaali and her husband are banished to the forest for a period of twelve years whereas
Duryodhan gains control of the Palace of Illusions. In exile, Panchaali's only goal is retribution.

The Pandavas hid out in a nearby palace after spending 12 years in exile. Panchaali, who pretends to be a maid, rejects
Prince Keechak's advances and his threats to rape her. Keechak is killed by Panchaali and her spouse, Bheem. This
bloodshed leads to the start of the epic battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
In the conflict, a lot of individuals who are close to Panchaali passed away including Dhri, Drupad, and Karna. Panchaali's
husbands decide that it is the moment for them to die and enter the realm of the afterlife after learning about Krishna's
demise shortly after the conflict. Karna and Panchaali are reunited in paradise.

Themes

o Chitra Banerjee Diwakaruni wrote the book The Palace of Illusion, which was released in the year 2008. The epic
Mahabharata is the inspiration for the book. The author of the book addresses Draupadi's perspective in
it. Draupadi is the novel's powerful female lead, and the author also shines a light on the other female characters.
King Drupad, the ruler of Panchal, his daughter was Draupadi.

From the flames, Draupadi and her brother were birthed. She believes that her father did not adore her quite as much as
she wanted since he focused more on her siblings. She believes her father is biased toward her by nature. She believed
that her father paid her brother more attention simply because he was a male and would one day rule Panchal.

As is customary for Chitra Banerjee's protagonists, Draupadi is dissatisfied with her father's devotion this time around.
Draupadi makes a self-promise that her palace shall not resemble that of her father. The mansion her father built seems
heavy on her shoulders. These words demonstrate that Draupadi dislikes her father's propensity to be partial towards her
and her castle.
 o The issue of dark complexions is the second point raised by Chitra Banerjee in her writings. Her protagonist, Draupadi,
vigorously emphasizes this issue in her book. She has to focus on the skin whitening procedure for hours if she
wants flawless skin. Numerous exfoliants are used to scrape her skin. Although Krishna had a dark complexion as
well, he never opted for such doings.

Then, Draupadi, a character, brings up a different aspect of the difficulties women confront in the world of men. They had
to abide by laws established by men. The interests and propensities of women were never taken into account. The same
thing occurs in this instance even with regard to Draupadi.

She has received education in music, dance, singing, and playing. She also received teaching in other subjects, such as
sketching, painting, sewing, and adorning the ground with ancient designs that were auspicious for certain holidays.
However, Draupadi's heart and thoughts were focused on something else.

She was more adept than her brother Dhristadyumna at figuring out puzzles, responding to clever questions, and crafting
lovely poetry. Draupadi desired the educational opportunity that Dhristadyumna had received for herself. She does not
view her education as being Dhristadyumna got. She sensed that the female community was around her like a noose.

Learning the 64 arts that high-class ladies should master was difficult for Draupadi. Draupadi's father, King Draupad,
disregarded her education. Draupadi pleaded for her and her brother Dhristadyumnaher to have an equal education.
Education-related issues continue to be a major challenge in the twenty-first century.
 o The issue of women's identities is the novel's other major topic. Draupadi is taught good manners by Dhai Ma,
including how to walk, converse, and interact with people. She is also taught how to conduct herself in the
company of males and how to behave similarly when other women are around. Intimacy techniques with other
wives of her spouse are additionally taught to her.

This assertion is disagreed with by Draupadi; she had a disagreement with Dhai Ma. Dhai Ma depicts the actual life of the
king and queen. She highlights the fact that kings have several wives and that males consistently breach the vows they
make prior to marriage.

She stated that Draupadi wouldn't even get a chance to speak to her spouse before he beds her if she were compelled to
marry off like Panchal's other princess. Draupadi's statements were in stark contrast to those of Dhai Ma.

o Here, Chitra Banerjee discusses the divisions of power in society as a whole. Today, this pattern is still present. The
author of the book raises the issue of gender parity in marriage and education. Draupadi is a lady who drew her life
by being born from fire. She never has rational thoughts. To put it another way, Draupadi has straightforward,
typical thoughts, similar to other men and women.

The author's main point of focus is the issue of gender disparities. Either the lady is non-existent or she is passive. The
author of the novel here strongly brings up the concern that women are typically seen as passive in our society or
perspective on the world. Chitra Banerjee brings up the issue of the class/ caste system in the chapter Scar.
Karna was a superb fighter who, nevertheless, had to endure the contempt of all the rulers of Bharat due to his low caste.
Other than rulers, Draupadi hurt him. Karna experienced anguish when Draupadi approached him and inquired about his
parents, even though he chose to go away.

Who is the main character in The Palace of Illusions?

Set against the backdrop of ancient India, "The Palace of Illusions" offers a fresh perspective on the timeless
epic, the Mahabharata unfolds through the eyes of its central female character, Panchaali, the queen of
Hastinapur

What is the conclusion of Palace of Illusions?

The eldest Pandava, Yudhisthir, stakes the Pandavas' palace and liberties in a dice game the next time they
go to Duryodhan. As a result, Panchaali and her husband are banished to the forest for a period of twelve
years whereas Duryodhan gains control of the Palace of Illusions.

what is the significance of the title The Palace of Illusions?

"The Palace of Illusions" refers to Draupadi's experience of the world, particularly the opulent palace where
she grew up. It signifies the idea that appearances can be deceptive and that the world of privilege and
power can be illusory.
Who did Bhima killed in Mahabharata?
Being angry, Kimira retorted: "Bhima killed Bakasura and Hidimb, two of my closest friends. He has shamed
us by marrying the demoness Hidimba." Thus declaring his intention, Kimira attacked Bhima

Which God gave birth to Bheema?

Bhima was born when Vayu, the wind god, granted a son to Kunti and Pandu. After the death of Pandu and
Madri, Kunti with her sons stayed in Hastinapura. From his childhood, Bhima had a rivalry with his cousins
Kauravas, especially Duryodhana. Duryodhana and his uncle, Shakuni, tried to kill Bhima multiple times