Draw a characters sketch of Raju.

Ans.

Raju is the central character in the novel. He has been presented in the different forms such as a railway guide, a lover, a hermit, a fraud, a criminal etc. He is materialistic and desires to be prosper through the performances of Rosie as a dancer, he has very little sense of Humour. As a grown-up man he is socially irresponsible. Raju is an acting character rather than living one. He is raised to the status of a holy man through the superstition of villagers and not through his spirit. The moral of the novel that ‘Immorality does not pay in life’ comes through the character of Raju.

Raju, A Flat character

Raju is an absolutely flat character. His greed for money and to be of supreme values do not change with time. His interest remains the same though is form is changed. As a tourist guide Raju knows how to extract the advantages from incautious clients. As a business man he is clever enough to sell his articles. As pseudo swami he is concerned with his hunger and the advantage which he expects of the villagers. Thus Raju is a flat character and the flatness is due to his greed and commercial attitude.

As a lover

When Raju sees Rosie very first time at Malgudi railway station, he falls in love with her, Rosie asks Raju to take her to cobra dance. He at once agrees to fulfil her desire. About the personality of Rosie he remarks, ‘she was not very glamorous, if that is what you expect, but she had a figure, a slight and a slender one, beautifully fashioned, eyes that sparkled a complex ion not white but dusky.’ Romantic period of their love is limited to the time while Raju seduces her. Afterwards their relationship becomes routine.

As a Guide

As a guide Raju becomes famous as Railway Raju. Ac cording to William Walsh, ‘There is an unbroken connection between Raju, the guide, who lived for others, whose character and activity were a reflection of otherness, and Raju as prophet surrounded by devoted villagers waiting for a message or miracle. In each case he is a projection of what people need.”

As a Swami

In fact, Raju becomes a swami by chance. It is Velan who makes him a swami. When he comes out of jail and gets his beard shaved. The barber remarks that he looks like a mahatma. At that time Raju has no lodging place or any arrangement of food. He decides to become a swami and in a very short period he get recognition. As a result he overcomes the problems of food and shelter.

As a Prisoner

When Raju is awarded two year’s jail he proves to be a model’ prisoner. He is respected among other prisoners and is given the title of Ustad by them. He could impress even dangerous criminals. Later on, he was transferred to the office of superintendent as his personal servant. Life in Jail seemed Raju much comfortable. we come to know that he was sad at his release from the jail.

Blending of Real and Fictitious

In the realistic part of his character include his early childhood. His growing life has been described minutely and with great care by the novelist. Even the most trifling matters find place in the description. The romantic part of Raju’s character begins with his meeting with Rosie. The episode is fictitious and the romance gets thriving.

Unspectacular Character

Basically the character of Raju is not spectacular. Whatever strangeness or glamour is found in his manhood is a result of his contact with Rosie. Otherwise the character of Raju is an ordinary one. On the other hand the character of Rose in spectacular to a great extent. Only early life of Raju has been drawn with great care and with psychological developments.

Raju as a Complex Character

Raju comes in different forms be fore us such as a lover, a guide, a fraud, a swami etc. His character is dominating and has been presented as a complex character. We see craftiness, dis honesty, adventure, romance etc. in his character.