 His grandmother gave him the nickname of Kunjappa , a name that stuck to him in family circles . She taught him arithmetic , mythology , classical Indian music and Sanskrit . According to his youngest brother R. K. Laxman , the family mostly conversed in English , and grammatical errors on the part of Narayan and his siblings were frowned upon . While living with his grandmother , Narayan studied at a succession of schools in Madras , including the Lutheran Mission School in Purasawalkam , C.R.C. High School , and the Christian College High School . Narayan was an avid reader , and his early literary diet included Dickens , Wodehouse , Arthur Conan Doyle and Thomas Hardy . When he was twelve years old , Narayan participated in a pro @-@ independence march , for which he was reprimanded by his uncle ; the family was apolitical and considered all governments wicked . 
