The Negotiation

Long hours of waiting at the railway station by Raja Ravi Varma and his brother, C Raja Raja Varma allowed them to examine and capture various events. This is an interesting sketch where the porter (called a coolie) is negotiating his wage. He is seen presumably demanding two annas (for two rupees of a wage would indeed be extortionate). Interestingly, neither of the male passengers seem bold enough to counter the demand. It is the woman, the central figure, who seems to have adopted an aggressive stance and is game to negotiate!