Rewind to Swami’s world

A still from Malgudi Days with a young Manjunath as Swami

Readers of a certain vintage will get a fuzzy feeling when they think about Malgudi Days, the iconic TV series that aired in the 1980s, before being revived for a new season in 2006. The show follows the exploits of a boy called Swami and the denizens of a fictitious South Indian town called Malgudi, where people lead a simple life that's as different from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai as chalk is from cheese. The stories show how the locals went about their day, building interpersonal relationships such as that between a little girl and her aged nanny, and a man who takes care of his friend's family after he dies. They depict an India of yore, one that existed before economic liberalisation and the digital revolution changed the face of the nation.

Manjunath Nayaker

An online quiz themed on the show that will be held this weekend will transport participants to that bygone era. Quizzing and education platform QShala is organising the event that's open for all age groups. Manjunath Nayaker, who essayed the role of the mischievous Swami, will host it and Vaishnavi M, executive producer at QShala, tells us that in between rounds, he will also talk about his experiences while filming the show. "People can also send in specific questions they have for him and we will select a few that he will answer," Vaishnavi says, adding that while QShala usually hosts quizzes for children, this time, they thought of a theme that would appeal to parents as well. "It's also a good way of introducing kids to Indian authors," she reasons.

Vaishnavi M

Vaishnavi adds that each participant will receive a Malgudi Days postcard themed with Nayaker's digital autograph. Premium ticket holders will get a copy of The Boys Who Created Malgudi (Penguin India), a book on the series written by Lavanya Karthik. The top 40 contestants and 10 lucky-draw winners will get a copy of Malgudi Days, the book by RK Laxman that the show is based on, and which Nayaker will sign. Overall, the event is an out-and-out celebration of a series that reminds us how India was at a time when Doordarshan was the only television channel, and even One-Day cricket matches were played in all whites.

On December 19, 11.30 am
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Cost Rs 199