[4][5] The novel is narrated from the point of view of Ranganath, a research student in history, who comes to live with his uncle, Vaidyaji, in the fictional village of Shivpalganj in Uttar Pradesh for a few months.
Shrilal Shukla portrays distinct socio-politico-economic conditions in the village life of India by representing them coupled with satire in a style of rural fiction and remarkable reality.
A few more notable characters are the teachers at the village school, and the principal (whose characteristic trait is to burst into Awadhi, his native tongue, whenever he is very angry or excited).
After witnessing him nearly run over a few cows and sleeping shepherds, the young man is finally elated when a few police officials pull the bus over.
[7] Based on Girish Rastogi's[8] adaptation of Raag Darbari, Bahroop Arts Group[9] staged "Ranganath Ki Waapsi", directed by Rajesh Singh (alumnus of National School of Drama) on 18 November 2009, at Alliance Française de New Delhi.
[10] In 2018, theatre director Amitesh Grover (Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar Awardee) staged an original adaptation of the novel, dramatised by Sarah Mariam, at the National School of Drama, India.