Characters in Shantaram
It is important to note, that most of the Characters from Shantaram are indeed fictional. Sadly, these wonderfull people only exist in the words and pages of Shantaram.
Lin (Linbaba)
Lin is the protagonist and lead through the book. Following somewhat the experiences of the Author, Shantaram follows Lin through his experiences and travels in Mumbai and further afield. Lin’s heart is lead by the people of the city, and the people he meets slowly draw him into their world. Lin’s struggles within himself, and with the world, are the key stones on which the narrative is built. Each phase of the book takes Lin on a new journey.
Prabaker Kharre (Prabu)
Prabaker is the embodyment of Indians in this book, himself both comic and tragic. He represents the welcoming of Lin into India and Mumbai by it’s people, and their friendship follows the path of estrangement as Lin moves in ever darker circles. This detachment from Prabaker in the everyday sense is a compelling part of the book, and seeminly against Lin’s inner will. As he moves away from his purpose with the people, only when it is too late does Lin realise the path he had taken away from his friend. Prabaker’s own story is one of hope and sorrow, but this little friend is full of life, jokes and smiles. "A Man must love his Bear, Lin"
Karla Saaranen
Karla is the complicated woman whom Lin falls in love with from the moment he sees her. Equally complicated is their friendship, and their relationship swings in rounds as both Lin and she struggle with their purposes. Karla is employed by Khaderbai, and this poignant fact escapes Lin on occcasions where the subtley of the truth could have changed the path that Lin would take. She would not reveal the name of her employer when Lin asked, revealing her deceptive nature and her other purposes. She is a woman who values language, and witty comments are her forte. She is inherently mistrustful having a difficult past from which she hides from in Bombay
Didier Levvy
Didier is the amusingly French and generally abusive barfly of Leopolds. He is a man of Bombay, and involves himself with all sorts of criminals. Didier likes Lin right from the start, and in a scene from Leopolds warns Lin that the better question to ask is "What intentions our Karla has for you".
The next Characters I will be featuring will be Abdullah Telheri, Abdel Khader Khan, and Vikram Patel. Let me know what you think over in our forum.