What are the motifs in Clear Light of Day by Anita Desai?

Baba's gramophone and pebbles are recurring ideas and seem to serve as a reminder of Baba's presence. His presence itself is silent, but these sounds are associated with him. The significance of Baba's pebbles can best be described by a quote from the book: "Everyone in the household knew the sound they made as he scattered them across the tiles with a little, quiet, unfolding gesture of his hand, then gathered them up again with that curiously remote and peaceful smile on his thin face. It was the sound of the house, as much as the contented mutterings of the pigeons on the veranda." (Part 2, page 62)