The Brindavan Chronicle: characters
I think an author falls in love with all his/her major characters, even the baddies – after all, it’s the baddies who really make a reader read on, hoping that the villain is going eventually to get his/her come-uppance. But there is bound to be one particular character who stands out, for whatever reason. In my case, although there are several major characters in the book (including the villain), the one who really stands out is Meera.
I think this is because she is the complete rebel. Brought up within a strict Indian family, she rebels against everything – the religion, the traditions and moral values, the dress – and adopts a liberalised western way of life, thereby bringing great shame upon her parents. She is a feisty character, never willing to compromise her principles, but she is also warm and loving,ready to do the right thing and fight not only her own corner but that of those who need her help. You would most definitely want her to be on your side and not against you.
Her father, Dr. Choudhury, is the complete opposite in many ways. He is very traditional in his outlook, but also sticks firmly to his principles, even to the extent of cutting his wayward daughter out of his life, although it amounts to slicing off a part of his heart. But he too has a tender side to his character, which is brought to the fore when his wife Gauri suffers a major heart-attack – an event which finally brings the family back together again (almost!).
