Koly is a thirteen-year-old girl possessing a remarkable talent for embroidery, a skill passed down from her mother. Growing up in severe poverty, she views her arranged marriage with apprehension but understands it is necessary for her family's survival. She is resilient, highly creative, and eager to learn, secretly desiring to read despite cultural taboos against educating girls.

Sass is the stern matriarch of the Mehta household who manages the family's daily affairs. She operates from a place of desperation and grief over her son's terminal illness, relying on Koly's dowry to fund his medical treatments. Her despair frequently manifests as cruelty, verbal abuse, and heavy domestic demands placed on her new daughter-in-law.

Maa is a selfless woman who often eats very little so her family can have more food. She embroiders sari borders to sell in the marketplace and teaches this ancestral craft to her daughter. She adheres strictly to the traditional gender roles of her society, viewing formal education as a waste of time for girls.

Baap works as a scribe in the market, writing letters for those who cannot read or write. He struggles to provide for his family, a burden that drives him to arrange his daughter's marriage. He weeps at Koly's wedding, showing his underlying reluctance to send his young daughter away to a new household.

Hari is a thirteen-year-old boy whose parents falsely claim he is sixteen to secure a marriage and dowry. He suffers from a severe, untreatable form of tuberculosis that leaves him physically weak. He is easily frightened and highly spoiled, often throwing temper tantrums when he is denied what he wants.

Sassur is a Brahman schoolteacher who struggles with unruly students and his inability to keep up with changing technology. He is a passive presence in his own home, deferring entirely to his wife's decisions regarding household matters and Koly's treatment. He finds his only true solace in reading the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore.

Chandra is Hari's younger sister, described as plump and beautiful. She quickly becomes Koly's primary friend and confidante in the Mehta household. Unlike Koly, Chandra fully accepts her society's limitations on women, expressing no desire to learn to read and trusting that a good wife will automatically be treated well.

Raji is a kind, hardworking young man who drives a rickshaw in the city but dreams of returning to his family's rural land to farm. He firmly rejects the idea of an arranged marriage, preferring a relationship built on mutual respect and genuine conversation. He serves as a vital source of practical help and companionship.

Maa Kamala is a strict but deeply nurturing woman who manages a charitable house for abandoned women. Funded by a wealthy benefactor, she provides shelter, assists the residents in securing their government pensions, and helps them find safe employment. She fiercely protects the vulnerable young women under her roof.

Tanu is a young resident at Maa Kamala's house who becomes Koly's coworker making marigold garlands. The two young women bond over their shared labor and mutual desire to save enough money to secure an independent living arrangement away from the shelter.

Mr. Das owns a shop that produces fine saris. He values creativity and originality over rote copying, recognizing and generously compensating artistic talent. He provides a fair, professional environment that contrasts with the exploitation found elsewhere in the city.

Mala is a confident nineteen-year-old embroiderer who introduces Koly to the concept of urban freedom. She wears modern clothing and attends parties with men, but her sophisticated exterior hides a tendency toward theft, manipulation, and vindictive behavior in the workplace.

Mrs. Devi is a wealthy benefactor who finances the operations of Maa Kamala's house. She funds the charity to honor her father, who spent years searching the city for his own abandoned mother. She actively uses her connections to secure fair employment for talented women.

Kajal is an artist who mingles with the guests at Mala's party. He behaves aggressively toward newcomers and uses deceptive tactics, such as spiking drinks with drugs, to take advantage of young women who are unfamiliar with city life.

Binu is a musician who attends Mala's social gathering. He acts as a protective force, recognizing when another guest has laced a drink and stepping in to safely escort the victim back to her residence.

Raman is a young man who enters into an arranged marriage with Chandra. He brings her to live with his family after their wedding, providing her with modern comforts like electricity and a television, ensuring she has a comfortable domestic life.

Mr. Govind runs a stall in the marketplace where he sells marigold garlands for weddings and funerals. He is impressed by quick, efficient work and values practical problem-solving from his employees.