Inside the Haveli by Rama Mehta (Minor Characters)

Inside the Haveli by Rama Mehta

Minor characters

Ajay Singh:

Ajay Singh is Geeta’s husband. He is a Professor of science at Udaipur University. He is always busy with his work and spent very little time with Geeta. He tells Geeta that he knows that the life in the haveli would be difficult for her. He assures her that he would always support her in whatever decision she would take. He admits that men were really pampered and women in traditional society suffered but he loved her deeply and wanted to see her happy all the time.

Ajay’s character is bit dull as he is over shadowed by his father. He lacks drive and initiative required in as owner of the haveli. He is quite unlike the member of a royal family. He is torn between traditions and modernity but even then, he lacks active participation either in traditional ways of life or modern reforms. In fact, it is Geeta who finally decides to uphold the values and traditions of the haveli.

Kanwarni Sa:

Ajay Singh’s mother and Geeta’s mother-in-law is quite a remarkable character. She is called Kanwarni Sa by the servants. She is a tiny lady with small bones. Her body is quite frail and fragile. Her complexion is smooth and her mouth is firm. There is rigidity in her thin life. She exuded self-confidence and dignity. When Geeta came to the haveli as a bride, she told her to follow the traditions of the haveli. She told her to cover her face and speak as little as possible. She controlled everyone with craft and tenacity. She never raised her voice. Her gentle persuasion made Geeta fall into the routine life of the haveli smoothly. She always gave her plenty of love and care. Kanwarni Sa represents the strong-willed powerful woman.

Sangram Singhji:

He is the grandfather of Ajay Singh, Geeta’s husband. He was an old man when Geeta came to the haveli as a bride. The haveil was then called Sangram Singhji’s haveli. He was a highly reputed man in Udaipur.The king of Mewar made him one of his trusted ministers. After his death, his son Bhagwat Singhji became the head of the family. He was generous and kind towards common folk.

Bhabha Sa:

She is the wife of Sangram Singhji. She was quite strict as a mother-in-law. She was the mistress of the haveli till her husband lived. She often taunted her daughter-in- law Kanwarni Sa.

Bhagwat Singhji:

He is the son of Sangram Singhji who was truly a nobleman. He was quite

liberal and modern in his views. He was a democrat in true sense. He was willing toaccept new ideas. He did not impose his decision on Geeta. He had also made a reform in the family tradition. He calls Geeta ‘Binniji’. He treated his servants like the members of the family.

Lakshmi:

She is a young maid servant who was married to Gangaram, a male-servant in the house. She had also come to the haveli at the age of ten. She gave birth to a girl on the same day, Geeta gave birth to a daughter. Gangaram accused her of being a woman of low morals. She left the hoveli leaving her daughter behind.

Pari

Pari is one of the oldest servants in the haveli. She had worked in the havali for more than forty-five years. Her father had brought her to haveli when she was eight years old. She was given away to the haveli forever. She was respected by all. She was addressed as ‘Pariji’.

Dhapu:

Dhapu is another servant who is also a married woman. She helped Geeta in many ways. She is very talkative. She is also hard-working like other maid servants Sarju and Ganga.

Gangaram:

Gangaram is Lakshmi’s husband. He is gentle, soft spoken and kind servant. He never scolds other servants even when they laughed at his wobbling legs. He called Lakshmi ‘worse than a street woman’.

Hiralal:

He is another faithful servant of the haveli. His effort to seduce Lakshmi shows his lustful motives. He tried to give her a parcel containing Saree and blouse.

Vijay Bai Sa:

She is a daughter of Geeta and Ajay Singh. She is quite intelligent and independent. She is engaged to Vir Singh to be married.

Sita

She is Laxmi’s daughter and married happily to Shivaram who had studied up to metric. Her education helped her in getting a good husband.

Vir Singh

He is Vijay’s bridegroom. He was an educated handsome young man. He was to go to England for further studies.

Audio Link:
https://soundcloud.com/mohammed-suleman-830478368/55356004mp3