Ranga’s Marriage – Questions & Answers

Very Short Answer Questions (1–2 lines each)

Who is the narrator of the story?
Ans. The story is narrated by Shyama, a village elder.
Where did Ranga go for his studies?
Ans. Ranga went to Bangalore to study English.
Why were the villagers curious to see Ranga when he returned?
Ans. Because he had studied in the city, they thought he might have changed.
What was unusual about Ranga after his return?
Ans. Unlike others, he still respected traditions and elders, despite his English education.
Whom did the narrator want Ranga to marry?
Ans. Ratna, the niece of Rama Rao, a young and beautiful girl.
What plan did the narrator make to bring Ranga and Ratna together?
Ans. He arranged for Ranga to see Ratna by making her sing when Ranga visited.
What was Ranga’s initial view about marriage?
Ans. He wanted to marry a mature girl and not someone too young.
Who helped the narrator in his plan?
Ans. Shastri, the village astrologer.
What did Ranga finally realise?
Ans. That Ratna was the perfect match for him.
What is the theme of the story?
Ans. The blending of tradition with modernity and the importance of community in marriage.

Why did the villagers gather outside Ranga’s house when he returned from Bangalore?
Ans. The villagers were curious to see if Ranga had changed after studying English in the city. They expected him to have adopted foreign ways but were surprised to find him still respectful and rooted in traditions.
Why did the narrator feel Ratna was suitable for Ranga?
Ans. Ratna was young, beautiful, cultured, and from a good family. She could sing melodiously, which impressed Ranga. The narrator felt that her qualities matched well with Ranga’s character and upbringing.
How did the narrator use the astrologer to convince Ranga?
Ans. The narrator cleverly planted the idea of Ratna in Ranga’s mind and later took him to Shastri, the astrologer, who pretended to predict that Ranga was thinking of a girl named Ratna. This strengthened Ranga’s feelings.
What qualities of Ranga made him popular in the village?
Ans. Ranga was humble, respectful, well-mannered, and educated. Unlike others who studied English, he did not abandon his culture or traditions, which made him admired by the villagers.
What role does humour play in the story?
Ans. The narrator adds humour through his witty remarks, exaggerations, and playful plotting. His commentary makes the story light-hearted and engaging, while still conveying its themes of love and tradition.

Discuss the role of the narrator in “Ranga’s Marriage.”
Ans. The narrator, Shyama, plays a crucial role in bringing about Ranga’s marriage. He not only tells the story but also actively shapes it. Observing Ranga’s hesitation about marriage, Shyama takes it upon himself to find him a suitable bride. He selects Ratna and devises clever plans, including arranging for Ranga to hear her sing and later consulting Shastri, the astrologer, to strengthen Ranga’s feelings. His humorous tone, cunning ideas, and strong influence reflect the importance of elders in traditional communities. Thus, the narrator acts as both matchmaker and storyteller, ensuring that the tale is lively and meaningful.
How does “Ranga’s Marriage” reflect the blend of tradition and modernity?
Ans. The story shows how modern education and traditional values can coexist. Ranga, though educated in English, does not forget his roots or disrespect elders. Initially, he has modern ideas about marriage, preferring to wait for a mature partner. However, with guidance from Shyama and the astrologer’s trick, he accepts Ratna as his wife, showing respect for traditional matchmaking. The narrator’s humorous involvement also highlights the community’s role in personal decisions. The story suggests that progress does not mean abandoning culture; instead, it encourages a balance between new ideas and old traditions.