Screening of short film An Astrologer's Day by R.K.Narayan

 Blog is given by Megha ma'am

1.The video based story (focused on spiritual healing, emotional trauma, and astrology), and




2.R.K. Narayan’s “An Astrologer’s Day” (a short story about deception, fate, and guilt).


Comparative Analysis: Astrology, Fate, and Inner Conflict in Two Narratives

Both the video transcript narrative and R.K. Narayan’s short story "An Astrologer’s Day" explore the psychological and existential dimensions of human life through the lens of astrology. However, while both stories utilize astrology as a central narrative tool, they differ significantly in tone, purpose, and thematic complexity. The former is steeped in emotional depth, spiritual longing, and family trauma, whereas the latter is a concise literary piece characterized by irony, suspense, and moral ambiguity.


1. Use of Astrology: A Tool of Belief vs. A Tool of Deception

In both narratives, astrology plays a prominent role, yet its function differs.


In the video transcript, astrology is approached with reverence and belief. The astrologer (Guruji or Guru Nayak) is seen as a legitimate spiritual guide, whose reading of planetary alignments—especially the influence of Shani (Saturn)—is believed to explain the protagonist’s suffering. This depiction reveals how astrology is often internalized as a coping mechanism for life's misfortunes, offering a spiritual framework to explain trauma and provide moral direction.


In contrast, in “An Astrologer’s Day,” astrology is a facade—a means of manipulation. The protagonist has no actual knowledge of the discipline but uses superficial symbols (sacred ash, mystic charts, cowrie shells) to create an aura of authenticity. His real skill lies in observation and psychological insight, not metaphysical knowledge. Here, astrology is less a belief system and more a performance, revealing the tension between appearance and truth.


2. The Protagonists’ Emotional Landscape: Guilt vs. Vulnerability

The emotional states of the two central characters also contrast sharply.


The protagonist of the video-based story is portrayed as emotionally sensitive, impulsive, and conflicted. Her journey is marked by trauma (a past violent act), guilt, and strained familial relationships. She seeks not only astrological advice but also spiritual healing, especially regarding unresolved feelings about violence and trust. Her desire to break free from traditional roles and become an officer reflects a conflict between social expectation and individual ambition. Astrology, in this context, becomes a means to understand and transcend personal suffering.


Conversely, the astrologer in Narayan’s story is emotionally detached and pragmatic. His guilt arises from a specific criminal act committed in youth—the stabbing of Guru Nayak—which compelled him to flee his village and assume a new identity. While he experiences a brief moment of fear and moral reflection during the climactic encounter with his former victim, his relief at the end of the story suggests a more calculating and self-serving disposition. Unlike the female protagonist who seeks redemption and clarity, Narayan’s astrologer simply finds psychological closure.


3. Role of Fate and Free Will

In both stories, fate and free will are negotiated through astrological language.


In the video narrative, the protagonist is told that her fate is affected by planetary forces, especially Saturn, which symbolizes hardship and karmic challenge in Indian astrology. While this belief system limits agency, it also offers hope: spiritual rituals (like tying a sacred thread) are suggested as interventions. The protagonist thus navigates determinism and resistance, using astrology both as explanation and as strategy.


Narayan’s story, however, subverts the idea of fate. Though astrology appears to determine outcomes, it is clear that the astrologer’s survival depends not on cosmic truth, but on circumstantial luck and wit. The encounter with Guru Nayak is pure coincidence, and the astrologer’s predictions—though accurate—stem from personal knowledge rather than planetary influence. Here, free will and human cunning overshadow fate.


4. Narrative Purpose and Tone

The video-based narrative is emotionally rich and didactic, with a tone of spiritual earnestness. It aims to evoke sympathy, guide reflection on familial and emotional burdens, and present astrology as a legitimate avenue for personal transformation.


In contrast, Narayan’s story is satirical and ironic. It critiques blind faith in astrology while simultaneously showcasing the astrologer’s cleverness. The tone is more playful than moralistic, and the resolution—where guilt is eased not through penance but through fortune—suggests a deep skepticism about morality and cosmic justice.


5. Family and Social Structure

Family in the video story is both a burden and a source of identity. The protagonist’s relationship with Chutki, her distrust of her husband, and the pressures from figures like Tatya and Appa Kaka illustrate the interpersonal tensions within traditional households. Her inner conflict is not just personal but also social, reflecting the challenges women face in reconciling ambition with domestic roles.


In contrast, the family in Narayan’s story is peripheral. The astrologer’s wife and child appear only at the end. Her simple joy in preparing sweets contrasts with the moral weight of the astrologer’s relief, creating a subtle yet powerful juxtaposition between domestic normalcy and buried guilt.


Conclusion

While both narratives center around astrology and unresolved guilt, they do so from different vantage points. The video transcript portrays astrology as a spiritual resource, offering emotional clarity amid trauma and familial discontent. R.K. Narayan’s short story, on the other hand, uses astrology as a narrative device to expose human hypocrisy and irony. One narrative leans toward healing and introspection, the other toward moral ambiguity and wit. Together, they show how astrology, guilt, and fate can be interpreted through both spiritual and literary lenses, revealing the diverse ways in which traditional beliefs shape modern lives.

Reference: 

Po pocket Films. (2017, June 17). An Astrologer’s Day - Hindi short film [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkfrjYFQozA

Pocke

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