Hi Everyone!

Welcome to your character context document. Below I have started you off with some stimulus, research and structures for your own personal
contexts and understandings of your characters, what they do and why they do these things. ​Please read​ my notes throughout the document in
terms of what you should be doing to explore your own context as well as your relationships. You have the ​document​ that provides context in terms
of ​where​ you so make sure you are also looking at that.
Please add as much relevant information to this document as you can. This can be personalized for your character or in general, but the more
information we have, the easier it will be to contextualise your characters.
Thank you.

The Slum Context

Where they are all from: ​Annawadi, Mumbai, India

If you are interested in doing further research, please go through our ​extensive research document.
 Specific Characters Circumstances:
Hi all, it is up to you how you approach this research but it is really important to think ​at least ​about the factors in the first table below. You must
think about these factors and how they may ​impact ​your behaviour or intentions in the play. You are of course welcome to do your own research
outside of this and either add it to this document or create another one for your own character research as it is vital you understand your character,
what they do and why they do it.

As a starting point, consider the fact that ALL OF YOUR CHARACTERS ARE REAL. You are not just perpetuating an exaggerated model of a character,
but a person who exists with a story that is real. Find the context of your character based on research; why does your character do what they do?
Why do they feel the way they do? Where are their limitations and strengths; where are their ambitions? How does that impact the story and the
central themes? Why? What is your ​significance?

The second table allows you to focus on your personal context in a specific scene.

Overall Character Context

Character Who are you? (name, age, job, Where does the MOST action for you What is your ultimate intention? Any other important notes about
nationality, physical/mental occur? Describe the setting What is your your character
health) problem/challenge/obstacle?

Sunil 12, Picker/Thief Annawadi Slum - Bettering the lives of myself and
my friends (paying for Abdul’s
food, he genuinely and strongly
cares for Abdul)
- To be successful to whatever
extent I can be, even if it’s just
finding a new place to pick trash
- Once I start stealing I get
The text says Sunil smiles/grins a
lot
He’s a positive, cheerful, charming
kid, optimistic and hopeful.
Extreme youthful optimism even
after he has been assaulted by the
 careless
- Assault by police officers change
my outlook on life
- Transition from picker to thief
police. He believes he can get to the
trash next to the taxi stand even
when it might kill him
He finds moments of happiness in
small things (looking out across
Mumbai from the roof, dancing to
Om Shanti Om)
But he’s also sensitive (Abdul
leaves him, Taufeeq making fun of
him), his head being shaved and
being stripped by the guards takes
a serious toll on his mentality
He’s self conscious and very upset
that his growth has been stunted
by his hard childhood
He gains in confidence as he shifts
from picker to thief (swearing,
clothing)
With his confidence his
carelessness also grows (climbing
up to the roof is ultimately his
downfall as the guards find him)
In the end, Sunil is tired and
exhausted, but he still finds his old
charm with Abdul

Kalu 15, Picker/Thief, Indian, feels like
he is on his own as nobody from
his family is at his death scene. He
grew up feeding himself and has
understood that he can’t survive
without money and he can do
anything for it.
Manju
Abdul
Asha
Paikrao “30s, with gold-rimmed glasses”
“Special executive officer” – a title
which he is very proud of.
He spends little time on stage alive which
is spent divided between the Annawadi
slum and the airport. However, after his
death he spends time lying in the
background on the airport floor as the
inspectors examine the situation.
He moves around. If there’s money to be
made for a morally flexible police officer,
he’s likely going to be there, whether it’s
a hospital burn ward or a slum.
- Getting my fill so I can survive at
whatever cost it takes.
- Moving up this ladder of
unpredictable meals and
shelter.
Paikrao, like most of the people in the
play, aims to improve his financial
situation through any means necessary.
He is corrupt, but not in the same,
brutish way that Fish Lips is corrupt.
Paikrao seems to take pride in running
a sleek corruption operation, making
the people she rips off think that he has
their best interests in mind. He tries to
take advantage of the poor education of
The story starts with Sunil alone
and ends with Sunil alone
- He’s ok with being alone,
he’s independant
-
Even though it doesn’t seem like he
has anyone of his own, some
people of the slum community
cared for him (Abdul…). However,
this might also be because they see
him as an equal and if it can
happen to him it can happen to
them. He is brutally murdered on
the airport and we don’t find out
who did it.
Abdul exposes Paikrao’s
powerlessness and his lies. Paikrao
makes vague threats but leaves,
humiliated. There are no real
consequences for his character,
though. You get the feeling he’s not
done ripping people off – but he
probably won’t go near Annawadi
again.

Kamble 40, toilet cleaner, terrible condition
- knobbly, bony, a mouthful of
yellow teeth, bad heart condition
Mahadeo
Rahul
Zehrunisa Zehrunisa Husain, 39ish, Mother,
Muslim women, locked in the
hosue all day
Kehkashan 19 “capable but moody”, a typical
teenage girl. Holds a feeling of
responsibility towards abdul.
Annawadi Slum
Annawadi Slum - The flight with Fatima
when she jumps at me :)
At home - the Annawadi Slum
the people in Annawadi to take their
money without them realising they’re
being scammed until too late.
It is clear that Paikrao is used to his
scams working without too much
trouble, and he is on the point of
scamming the Husain family when
Abdul stands up to him.
I’m dying, because of my heart, and I die.
praying (to Asha) for money in order to
afford the new valve
To one day move to a rural community Any other important notes about
where muslims live. To take care of her your character
family as she will do anything for her.
Fatima completely dogs her family and
of her family all end up in jail. The
police and all the political/airport
security asks for her money.
Initially it is to figure out my personal, Kinda Big mouthed. But knows
internal conflict I am facing. The man I how to differentiate right and
love is a pig! But soon my problems are wrong.
made very small as I am faced with the
troubles of mother locked in jail, and
trouble hanging over my family’s head.
Karam Karam Husain, father of Abdul and
husband of Zehrunisa.
Fish-lips Shankar Yerma, 49, Sub-Inspector,
Indian, Hindu, Kinda chubby cop?
Nagare
Fatima Fatima Sheik, 40, Birth defect left
with one leg (arm?)
She has a husband, three children
Prostitute, her home is her
‘workplace”
Mirchi Mirchi Husain, 14, Indian, Overall
healthy but affected by her tensed
surroundings.
Meena Meena, teen?, not a student (stays
at home learning how to be a good
wife), Indian, feels trapped by her
family and that the only option for
Police station
Outside her house when she burns
herself
At home, in Annawadi
The Bathroom where Meena meets with
Manju for her lessons.
Lack of conflict and trouble in resolving
any case. Make money to support the
family.
Jealous of mobile neighbours
Always picking a fight
Attention seeker
Feisty, entitled, short-tempered, vulgar,
dramatic
Personality largely influenced by her
insecurity of her ‘night job’ as it is the
only one she is able to do given her
physical condition.
An important aim for Mirchi is to find
her purpose. Initially she wants to
follow what her family members. But,
throughout the length of the play,
Mirchi wants to live on her own terms,
find a job and wants to be able to help in
providing for her family.
Ideally:
To get an education and be able to be an
independent woman. Potentially to one
day be able to leave the slum. Also to
Cop in Mumbai, bribes and
corruption are a part of the job.
● Looks up to Abdul
● Confident
● Not scared to take a risk
( when she sneaks out of
her house)
● Determined to get a paying
job
● Well informed about Global
news ( global recession )
-Very low self esteem
-Constant thoughts of ending her
life.. Does not see a purpose to live
-Feels very trapped by her family
 her in life is to eventually become find love rather than to have an -Feels very alone
the property of a husband arranged marriage. -Lives ‘in fear’ , scared of doing
(hopelessness, depression…) anything
Main conflict/tension:
Family will not allow Meena to get an
education and believe that being a
woman = being property of a man.
Meena’s father and brothers beat her
for speaking out and standing up for
herself.

Airport D. Airport Director, Airport Looks down upon the people in the
slum as he sees them only as cheap
employment. Is a businessman and is
tunnel-visioned on expanding the
airport.

Cynthia Cynthia, 46, Social Worker, Annawadi Slum She is just trying to get through each
day, try and support herself, but
standby her friends.

Kulkarni Female police officer Police station Initially seems like she just doesn’t Has strong opinions on certain
want any trouble. Doesn’t seem like it at types of people (Fatima)
first but is corrupt and open to bribery.

Laxmi Mother of Meena, in her 40s/50s. Asha’s house after I find out Meena has Ultimate intention is to make sure
Housewife, killed herself. Meena follows the household rules and
follows the cultural norms/expectations
of her. Keep the family running the
acceptable way.

Main conflict
Her daughter rebels against her
 conflicting with Laxmi’s traditional
beliefs of a woman’s role being the
housewife. Her daughter’s actions are in
some ways confusing and angering her.

Noori 8, perhaps a student in an Indian Annawadi Slum Her future of possibly surviving without Might possibly be pampered by her
slum school a mother figure, innocence being taken parents until this point- like she is
Innocent/ignorant, perhaps having away after witnessing the death of her living under a lie (of what her
a curious nature? mother parents are and what they do)

Abdul Sh.

Guard

Master

Taufeeq Older than sunil, maybe 13/14, Annawadi slum Trying to steal to survive and maybe ‘Every man for himself’ kind of
(Tanisha?) thief slowly climb up the economic ladder mentality

Chauhan

Clerk

Defender aakanksha, 32, defence lawyer, Courtroom scene Defend abdul, get the case done Try everything to win the case
great posture, upright, confident,
emotionless, insensitive

Prosecutor 37, prosecutor. Outspoken, courtroom. Trying to just make money case by case.
careless.

CK Dhiran Tired Courtroom Is righteous and believes in giving

everyone a fair chance in court
 This second table is more for the intention of developing personal contexts and understandings of your character in each scene or specific scenes.
For example; if you are feeling unsure of behaviour or mindset (or internal vs external intentions) you can use this to logically think about your
context in the scene. This table does not require as much detail as the first, but please ​attempt​ to form sound connections for more insight in certain
moments.

Personal context/intentions in a particular scene

Character Where are you? (Think scene by scene) Why are you present? (Your immediate How are you behaving? (Loudly, stealthily, subtly,
intention) coyly etc.)

Sunil

Kalu

Manju

Abdul

Asha

Paikrao

Kamble

Mahadeo

Rahul

Zehrunisa

Kehkashan

Karam
Fish-lips

Nagare

Fatima

Mirchi 1.12 ● Carrying stuff and picking up rubbish with
Going back and forth between the Husain house Abdul and bringing it into our house.
and the area in front of it which is filled with ● Helping the family to rebuild before the
rubbish. Monsoon.
● This is a small way in which Mirchi can
help her family.
2.11
Sneaking back into her house. Standing in front ● Had gone to get a paying job at a car park.
of her house where all the rubbish is laid out. ● Didn’t want her family to know, so was
trying to sneak back into the house.
● She feels that she is not good at running the
family business but still wants to support
her family. So she is desperate to get a
paying job.
● Trying to stay focused on helping Abdul sort
the rubbish and pretending to ignore Fatima
and Zehrunisa.
● A bit awkward because of the fight between
Fatima and Zehrunisa.
● Behaving stealthily so as to not disturb her
mother.
● Initially behaving stealthily, while sneaking in.
● On getting caught by Zehrunisa, scared and
worried about her consequences.
● Feeling guilty
● Trying hard to prove her point- starts getting
annoyed with Zehrunisa when Zehrunisa
refuses to support her.

Meena 1.13 1.13 1.13

Meena and Manju meet in the toilets. Meena has
snuck out of the house to meet Manju (her
family is forcing her to stay home and won’t let
her go to school). Manju teaches Meena about
the play Way of the World.
1.19
Fatima is on fire and Meena is told to give her
water.
- Meena is here to vent to Manju and also for
a lesson
- Meena has snuck out of the house to meet
Manju (she is currently only allowed tap
and toilet)
1.19
- Meena is on her way back home
- She has a slight altercation with her mother 1.19
who accuses her of secretly talking to boys
- Frustrated at her family for being
unreasonable and not allowing her to go back
to school
- Hopeless that she will never have a life of her
own
- Fear of being caught, but also catharsis in being
able to meet Manju at all
-
 - Meena is then told to fetch water to

Airport D.

Cynthia

Kulkarni

Laxmi

Noori Outside my house, potentially at the tap To comfort her mother (gives a scene of family in a Probably innocent/childish
corrupted family or have the audience empathise Cries
for the future of the slum) Perhaps mature over the situation

Abdul Sh.

Guard

Master

Taufeeq
(Tanisha?)

Chauhan

Clerk

Defender

Prosecutor in the court room To just get complete the job and get salary. subtly

CK Dhiran
 Relationships:
Here, consider the relationship you have with ​3-5 OTHER CHARACTERS OF YOUR CHOICE​. For example, as Abdul, I may consider my relationships
with Sunil, Zehrunisa, Fatima, and the Master, or, I may consider my relationships with Kalu, Karam, and Kehkashan – whichever you believe have
the ​strongest impact ​on your character. Consider; how professions, age, previous context, actions and behaviours may affect these relationships.
Use the context from above to look at other characters’ information to aid in your idea of your relationship. Remember – you do not need to choose
the characters you interact with the most. Choose those of the highest impact to your character.

Consider these questions when considering your relationship with the character you have chosen: ​Who are they? Why do they matter? What is
your relationship like? Why is it this way? *​Think specifics: any interaction that made it this way? Any event? Why?
Char. Character 1 Character 2 Character 3 Character 4 (optional) Character 5 (optional)

Sunil

Kalu

Manju

Abdul

Asha

Paikrao

Kamble

Mahadeo

Rahul

Zehrunisa
Kehkashan

Karam

Fish-lips

Nagare

Fatima

Mirchi Zehrunisa ( Mother) Abdul ( Brother) Kehkashan ( Elder sister) Karam ( Father)
● Doesn’t share a ● Looks up to Abdul ● Respects her elder ● Obeys him and wants
very open or close ● Always agrees with sister. to help him support the
relationship with and supports him ● Closer to and more family.
her mother. ● Work together on comfortable with her ● Respects him more
● Feels the need to sorting rubbish. as compared to than Zehrunisa.
follow her orders. ● Share a common Zehrunisa.
● She is often made to understanding and ● Feels a little
feel uncomfortable similar attitude supressed due to the
by the tensed towards the situation age difference.
situations her of their family. ● Wants to prove to
mother gets into. her family that just
● Has seen her like Kehkashan, she
mother been can too be helpful to
involved in fights the family.
and Mirchi knows
that she doesn’t
necessarily want to
be like her mother.

Meena Manju (only friend) Laxmi (mother) Father + Brothers

- Meena feels like she - Strained relationship - Abuse from father
can be herself and - Verbal abuse from and brothers
 confess her feelings Laxmi - One of the main
and ambitions to - Meena doesn’t strains to Meena’s
Manju understand her mental health
- Manju is in many mother and resents - Makes Meena feel
ways Meena’s only her for wanting forced into a role of
hope for a future in Meena to settle down ‘traditional’
the sense that with a husband rather womanhood and
Manju gives Meena than allowing her to responsibilities
free lessons/ edu get an education
- Meena expresses - Laxmi often belittles
many of her Meena and her ideas
emotions to Manju, and opinions
and Manju often - Makes Meena feel
makes Meena feel isolated
less alone and less
depressed.

Airport D.

Cynthia

Kulkarni

Laxmi

Noori

Abdul Sh.

Guard

Master

Taufeeq
(Tanisha?)

Chauhan

Clerk

Defender

Prosecutor

CK Dhiran