Page 1 - Lesson Note

Ranga's Marriage

1 The Village of Hosahalli

The story Ranga's Marriage is set on the backdrop of Hosahalli, a

village in the former Mysore state, now a part of Karnataka. Ten

years back very few people there knew English. Ranga, the village

accountant's son was the first to be sent to Bangalore to study.

Hence his homecoming was a great event and people rushed to his
doorstep, flocked together to witness if any change had come upon

in him.

2 Ranga's arrival at Hosahalli

Everybody was surprised to see that Ranga was the same as he had

been six months ago. His 'Janewara 'or the sacred thread still on his

body was a confirmation of his allegiance to the cultural tradition.

Now the relived villagers disappeared except Shyama who Ranga

greeted respectfully.

3 The narrator's tryst with Ranga's Marriage

Shyama, the author, realising Ranga's worth took the advantage of
getting him married and settled. When asked Ranga expressed his

inner desire of marrying an ideal girl who he must admire against the

prevalent tradition of arranged marriage. Distressed at Ranga's

decision to remain a bachelor if he didn't find the right girl, Shyama

thought of Rama Rao ' s nieceRatna, a pretty girl of eleven. She was
from a big town and knew how to play the Veena and the

Harmonium, apart from a sweet voice.

Ranga meets Ratna

The next morning Shyama visits Rama Rao's house and asks Ratna to
fetch some buttermilk. Ratna,in a saree sings a song when Ranga