If you asked Ranga how long he’d been sharpening knives and other things, he’d reply” ever since a time of moustache began to appear here” drawing a finger over his lip. For there were no calendars, watches, almanacs or even mirrors in his world. His mission was getting people to see the importance of keeping their edges sharp. He even guaranteed his work for sixty days to keep ahead of his sole competitor. No one knew Ranga’s secret dream to protect his little daughter in the village from his quarrelsome wife, and make her a lady doctor. So he came to the village every other month, enduring the torture of his wife’s barbs only to enjoy watching his daughter dress up in her green skirt and yellow jacket to go to the Mission school. After one of his visits, when Ranga get a lift in a car, he wished his wife could see him and realize how people respect him. The message TWO WILL DO painted on the car doesn’t have any significance for him till much later. Ranga is one of R.K. Narayan’s most successful characterizations, making you smile, chuckle, worry and fear with him.
