The Shadow Lines

Mrs. Price’s brother, linked to the Tresawsen family of British‑Indian origins.

Narrator’s father, a junior executive in a rubber company. Father receives an unexpected promotion to General Manager and arranges the family’s move and later travel arrangements.

Narrator’s strict schoolmistress grandmother who values time and disapproves of Tridib. Grandmother retires after 27 years of teaching, experiences emotional upheaval, and revisits her past house in Dhaka. Grandmother carries a sari for Saifuddin's wife, struggles to rise, negotiates with Khalil and Ukil‑babu, decides to take the old man away.

Jatin‑kaku’s daughter, same age as the narrator, later a university student. Ila is mentioned in later recollections, including her marriage and later interactions with the narrator.

Elder brother of Tridib, economist with the UN.

Friend of the narrator’s grandfather, inventor and traveler who lived in many colonies.

Young daughter of Mrs. Price, a baby during the narrator’s childhood visit to London. May, the Price daughter, appears as a young adult studying music and interacting with the narrator in London.

Aunt of the narrator, also called Mayathakuma, who travelled to England in 1939 with her husband and son Tridib. Mayadebi stays in frequent correspondence, arranging family visits and urging grandmother’s trip to Dhaka. Mayadebi interacts with Robi about the old man's past orthodoxy and measurements of shadows.

Friend of the narrator who watches the lane from his bathroom window. Montu, a close childhood friend, reveals a mysterious visitor in grandmother’s room.

Narrator’s mother, a housekeeper who enjoys occasional radio plays. Mother deals with household concerns and supports grandmother’s emotional crises.

Mayadebi’s old family friend, lives in West Hampstead, an oboe student turned relief‑agency worker. Mrs. Price hosts the narrator and his family in London and shares her musical interests.

First-person narrator, a child of a junior executive, living in Calcutta with his family. Narrator recounts his grandmother's retirement, family moves, and his growing awareness of adult relationships.

Paan‑seller who runs a stall at the corner of the narrator’s lane in Gole Park.

Younger brother of Tridib, sent to boarding school at age twelve. Robi, the narrator’s father, manages career advancement and logistical aspects of the family’s moves. Robi watches the discussions, comments on shadow measurements, and shrinks back in fear.

Mayadebi’s husband, a diplomat referred to as “the Shaheb”. Shaheb, a government official, is discussed in relation to his promotion and political reputation.

Husband of Mrs. Price, known by the nickname Snipe. Snipe is referenced as the narrator’s scholarly uncle and occasional organizer of charitable activities.

Cousin of the narrator, son of Mayadebi, known for eccentric habits and a PhD in archaeology. Tridib appears as a recurring figure, sharing letters, meetings, and travel plans with the family. Tridib asks about Motihari, helps lift the old man onto the rickshaw, and participates in the departure.

Jethamoshai is introduced as the narrator’s great‑uncle, a strict patriarch with a violent disciplinary style. Jethamoshai is the old man (Ukil‑babu) who resists leaving and demands to be addressed as brother’s daughter.

Khalil is a cycle‑rickshaw driver who looks after Ukil‑babu and attempts to persuade him to leave.

Saifuddin is a mechanic who explains the old man's condition, brings a sari for his wife, and coordinates with Khalil.

Ukil‑babu is the bedridden old man, formerly a house owner, who refuses to leave despite visitors’ pleas.