Raju
Raju is the most interesting character in the story. Born and brought up in a lower middle class family, in a corner of Malgudi. He had learned everything from life. His education was irregular but he was an expert in understanding human nature. The moment he saw Marco and Rosie arrived from the train, he knew they were his lifelong customers. Raju was successful man though he was in jail for a brief period. As a guide and a manager of stage he was quite successful. His first role as an owner of a railway shop platform, his second role as a tourist guide and finally the role of an entertainer was also by an accident. His affair with Rosie resulted in his downfall in the beginning, but later it improved with her dancing career. In the fourth stage he was convict but became an ideal prisoner. Towards end Raju was forced to become a holly man to the people of Mangala Village.
He was taken in to prison because of a voluntary act of forgery. This is the only act that he was punished for his own action. Otherwise most of the things happen to him. He does not want to become a holly man but circumstances forced him to adopt path of a Swami. He wants to tell the villagers of his past, but he could not do it. So he becomes what the villagers wanted him to be.
Raju is a man of materialist and a man of surface emotions. Like nobody he is a creator of circumstances. He suffers because of the consequences of his passion mainly. He acts rather than he lives. His life is falsehood and hypocrisy. As a lover Raju is spontaneous and admirable. Marco neglects his wife Rosie, which gives chance to Raju to take care of her sentiments, tastes and temperament. His genuine sympathy for Rosie developed into a physical relationship. Kind hearted Raju is liked by everyone. He does not actually take away Rosie from Marco, she came 
to him herself. Raju more or less created Nalini – the dancer; his motive was not exactly an artistic passion, but Nalini does not remain as a doll in the hand of Raju. For her dance it’s not a mean of making money, but a cause and a devotion. Finally she goes out of Raju’s life altogether to live an independent life dedicated to her art.
In the final part of the story Raju who settles in Mangala village becomes a spiritual Guru to fulfill the social need of the people. Raju in turn becomes a railway shopkeeper, tourist guide, an adulterer, a dancer’s manager, a prisoner and at last a Swami.