(This introduction to the cast of Chennai street kids characters in Triplicane, Madras was written by their friend and benefactor, Robert Purser.)

Prabhu's uncle is the watchman in the Jaiz Complex which
is the business
complex almost directly opposite from Hotel Maharaja.
Prabhu's grandmother
is a tiny and frail woman who is usually bent over
slightly. She sweeps the
halls of the Jaiz Complex. Prabhu has his belonging in
one of the
stairwells in the back (one suitcase). Prabhu sleeps on
the sidewalk in
front of Jaiz Complex. Therefore, everyone in Jaiz
Complex knows Prabhu.

Mumtaz' mother works in the new Kasmir food shop almost
next to Hotel
Maharaja. Therefore, they sleep in front of the shop and
clean up and help
at the shop. (Mumtaz is Muslim. Her name is pronounce
Mumtaj.) Mumtaz
and Prabhu are not talking to each other. They used to be
inseperable.

Nagama lives 50 feet north of Jaiz Complex on the east
side of the
street. They are the only people who do not clean up after
themselves in
the morning.

Vela's grandmother and friends live on the sidewalk just
before the
entrance of the Big Mosque which is about 30 feet north of
Hotel Maharaja on
the west side of Triplicane High Road.

Kumar (whose real name is Palani) works in the gas
station on
Triplicane High Road (east side of the street) directly
opposite the street
that Broadlands is on. The gas station consists of a few
water bottles
filled with petrol.

Mari's extended family controls the sidewalk at
Triplicane High Road and
the road that Broadlands is on. Ramu has his taxi there.
Caution: if you
ask for Ramu, they might all say they are Ramu. Ramu
charges more than most
but he is good with the kids.

Everyone know everyone... so anyone can direct you to
the others.
--Robert Purser
homepage:
http://www.digipuppet.com