Dowry Kalyanam

Ganeshan is a hardworking clerk who supports his wife Uma and his siblings, navigating poverty and mounting debts. He vows to provide Gowri with a grand wedding, but his finances force him to borrow and pawn valuables. He wants to keep his friendship with Ethiraj intact, even as pride and desperation strain their bond.

Ethiraj is a widowed father who lives with his toddler daughter and struggles with alcoholism. He is a loyal friend to Ganeshan but also wary of being used in Gowri's marriage. His presence highlights the fragility of relationships under stress and the complexity of male pride.

Gowri is Ganeshan's sister who is the intended bride. She becomes central to the dowry negotiations, symbolizing the vulnerability of young women trapped by family duty and social expectations. She embodies resilience amid pressure and remains a focal point for family solidarity.

Uma is Ganeshan's wife who advises him on Gowri's marriage and negotiates dowry terms. She supports her husband while also using practical strategies to reduce costs. Her pragmatic approach helps her family navigate the wedding's financial strain.

Mangupathi is the groom chosen for Gowri, the son of Raja Kalavai and Arcot Rushyendramani. His status as a potential bridegroom anchors the dowry demand and social expectations surrounding Gowri's marriage. He represents the class and family alliances at the center of the plot.

Rushyendramani is the domineering matriarch who sets the dowry terms and drives the pressure on the wedding. Her control over the groom's family emphasizes patriarchal authority and the transactional nature of marriage arrangements. She embodies the social force that sustains the dowry system.

Rajakalavai is the father-in-law figure with a controlling influence over the dowry. He negotiates with Ganesan to reduce the demanded dowry, reflecting the intersection of wealth, power, and tradition within the wedding process.

Rowther is a Muslim grocery shop owner and a friend of Ethiraj who lends money to help with the wedding. He endures personal losses and ultimately dies after delivering groceries, illustrating the sacrifices people make for family, even at great personal cost.

Jalandhar Subbudu is Ganeshan's paternal uncle who helps by contributing Rs. 2,000 and cleverly negotiates to lower the total dowry. He represents the socially connected relatives who attempt to stabilize a crisis with practical options.