List of Characters Nectar in a Sieve

Rukmani

Main character of the novel, narrator. Father taught her to read/write named Shuru.

Nathan

Rukmani’s Husband

Kali

Loud neighbor, very kind and a “good natured”(pg.13) woman.

Janaki

Wife of Shopkeeper named Perumal

Kunthi

beautiful woman, isolated and doesn’t associate much, cold.

Irawaddy

FIRST child of Rukmani, girl.

Arjun

SECOND child of Rukmani(firstborn boy)

Thambi

THIRD child of Rukmani(boy)

Murugan

FOURTH child of Rukmani(boy)

Raja

FIFTH child of Rukmani(boy)

Selvam

SIXTH child of Rukmani(boy)

Kuti

*not mentioned in early chapters of the novel, ( SEVENTH and last child of Rukmani, boy)

Biswas

Local moneylender, Rukmani trades with him instead of Old Granny at a point

Kenny

Doctor/Physician

Annu, Sona, and Thangam

3 sisters of Rukmani

Hanuman

The “general” merchant, (pg 9.)

Old Granny

Sits in the street selling meager items, Old woman, merchant.