A FINE BALANCE Characters - Alphabetical
	QUICK EDITION (QE)
FIRST NAME LAST NAME DESCRIPTION Thakur Dharamsi Landowner who oppresses villagers, orders killings Shirin Aunty Rustom's aunt Ashraf Chacha Muslim tailor who teaches Ishvar and Narayan tailoring. Aka: Chacha Mumtaz Chachi Ashraf's wife Dina Dalai Woman Maneck is going to stay with; employer of tailors Rustom Dalai Dina's late husband. Rustom Dalal Dina's future husband; met at concerts Ishvar Darji Om's uncle. Omprakash Darji Ishvar's nephew, young and skinny tailor. Aka: Om Narayan Darji Ishvar's brother, Omprakash's father; aspiring activist Dustoor Framji Fire-temple priest, known for being overly "friendly". Aka: Dustoor Daab-Chaab Mrs. Ginwalla A matchmaker Mrs. Grewal Kohlah's closest friend Rampratap Gujar Village headman who is corrupt and cruel Mrs. Gupta Beauty salon owner, Zenobia's client M.F Husain A famous artist Sergeant Kesar The officer in charge of the constables Maneck Kohlah Protagonist. Aban Kohlah Maneck's mother; Dina's school friend Babu Kohlah Maneck's father; owner of a general store in the mountains Farokh Kohlah Maneck's paternal grandfather; founded family store Ruby Kohlah Maneck's paternal grandmother Pandit Lalluram Village priest aligned with Thakur Dharamsi Miss Lamb Dina's employer Dr. Mac Dina's doctor Mr. Mascarenhas A musical instrument shop owner Inspector Masood Police officer involved in eviction operations Mr. Medhora Another concert regular, acquaintance of Toddywalla Dukhi Mochi Ishvar and Narayan's father, cobbler (Chamaar caste) Roopa Mochi Ishvar and Narayan's mother Dr. Shroff Dina's father, idealistic doctor Mrs. Shroff Dina's mother, later suffers depression Nusswan Shroff Dina's older brother; becomes her guardian Ruby Shroff Nusswan's wife Mr. Toddywalla Regular concertgoer, eccentric personality Darab Uncle Rustom's uncle Vasantrao Valmik Proofreader and poet; friend of the Kohlah family John Wayne American actor Raquel Welch American actress Zenobia   Dina's childhood friend Lily   Dina'sfamily servant. Aka: Ayah Xerxes   Son of Ruby and Nusswan, Dina's nephew Zarir   Dina's nephew Freedon   Dina's ex-boyfriend Grandpa   Dina's maternal or paternal grandfather, old and senile Beggarmaster   Local crime boss who controls beggars Thakur Dharamsi   Powerful landowner, responsible for violence against Chamaar caste Shankar   Beggar with no legs, friend of Ishvar and Om Nawaz   Manager of Air India Beggarmaster's Man   Unnamed, but described as henchman Jeevan   The owner of Advanced Tailoring Company Abdullah   Muslim man in village, friend of Ashraf Chacha Abdullah's Wife   Wife of Abdullah, mentioned briefly Shankar   Beggar with amputated legs; friend to Ishvar and Om Dayaram   Friend of Om's grandfather Rajaram   Hair collector who befriends Ishvar and Om Monkey Man   Street performer who controls performing monkeys Shanti   The lovely shiny-haired girl Tikka   Monkey-man's dog Avinash   Maneck's best friend from college Brigadier   Kohlah's closest friend Bhanu   A gardener Principal   Principal of Maneck's boarding school (unnamed) Snake Charmer   Street performer with snakes Monkey   Monkey belonging to Monkey Man. Aka: Chiku Laila   Monkey-man's pet Majnoo   Monkey-man's pet Ishvar   Controller of Slums Ibrahim   Rent collector who harrases Dina Navalkar   Thokray's assistant Facilitator   The man who assists people in their dealing with government Burfi   One of the Facilitator's men Bevda   One of the Facilitator's men Shankar   A beggar with no legs and hands. Aka: Worm Aadam   Disabled beggar boy in the Beggarmaster's care Fred   Tailor working in Mrs. Gupta's factory Nandu   Tailor working in Mrs. Gupta's factory Monkey Trainer   Trainer who sells performing monkeys Sita   Girl from the slum Rekha   Receptionist at Maneck's workplace