Nivedyam

A carpenter who aspires to learn Carnatic music and climb social roles. He is impulsive and protective, drawn to Sathyabhama and willing to challenge temple authority to safeguard their relationship. His resolve drives the plot from a simple livelihood to a guardianship stance, culminating in arrest yet a vow to return.

An 18-year-old girl who supports herself by making and selling pappadam. She seeks safety and affection within the temple’s walls, and she falls in love with Mohanakrishnan. Her choices reveal resilience in the face of molestation by a cousin and the scrutiny of a judgmental community.

A charismatic local figure whose authority helps run the temple town and its rituals. He uses his influence to manage crowds and temple finances, and he orders action to protect public image when the lovers’ behavior threatens the community.

The incumbent chief priest figure who is ill and overwhelmed, eventually relying on Mohanakrishnan to fill the temple’s leadership vacuum. His authority underscores the traditional rigidities the protagonists confront.

The antagonist who stalks and abducts Sathyabhama. He confronts Mohanakrishnan with violence, triggering the climactic struggle and exposing the brutal costs of protecting honor in a conservative setting.

The guru who mentors Mohanakrishnan and guides his early musical education. He embodies tradition and discipline, advising caution and reverence within the temple’s sanctified space.

The respected lyricist whose actions precipitate the central conflict by reporting the couple to authorities. His role catalyzes the moral and legal consequences faced by the lovers.