Chitthi – Those Letters

Early 1940s, India was still in the clutches of British imperialism. There were magnitude of revolts happening across the land courageously fighting against the universal power that believed never sees sunset. At one hand, Gandhiji’s non-violent approach was uniting countless citizens and the other side Subhash Babu’s call for “Dilli Chalo” had pumped millions hearts to lay their lives for their motherland. Amid the calls for freedom, when young-old, man-woman,

united against the single power, without caring for their personal lives, a young boy in his 20s with vision of doing something great for his village reached the land of Sangam. 

With few pennies in his pocket but countless dreams for future, he entered the gate of “Allahabad University”. 

“Lal mani”, he wrote his name in the admission form in Devanagari, and “BA” under the opted course. But, that wasn’t only the start of his new life in new city, but also the start of separation from his family, especially his new bride, with whom he couldn’t spend much time. 

Lal Mani initiated his days in university. The new subjects in the curriculum added interests in his life, but his heart couldn’t live the longing of parting from his wife. Few days passed, and he received a postcard from his village, posted by his father, asking for his health and status of studies. He was extremely excited to read the letter from his father, but deep in the corner of his heart, he wanted to know about his wife. But how to ask in the open letter. There was nothing called private letters, and above that he couldn’t afford to send separate postcards to his father and his wife, 1/2 Anna per card was too much for young Lal Mani to spend. 

Whatever the world can try, but it can never stop the emotions of love to fly. And young Lal Mani was no different. He found the way out and the series of letters started. 

Lal Mani was the only boy in the village who could read and write in Urdu. But the God in heaven made his match when he met Chanda… Chanda as the name says was the most beautiful girl, Lal Mani had ever seen. Little did he know, that the girl whose beauty he admired was also learnt in Urdu. The idea floated, the express of letter exchange started. 1/2 Anna per month, 1 block in the post card, in Urdu to share the stories and emotions. 

60 years of married life, but first 5 years of separation was treasured for entire life. In 2002, when Chanda died, Lal Mani’s isolated life had the company of those few letters which they exchanged 60 years back. 

2003, Lal Mani couldn’t bear the brunt, and his soul departed too. The two lives departed, but those letters became immortal. 

When the family opened the treasure box of Lal Mani, they found those postcards neatly wrapped in a piece of silk cloth. Unfortunately, nobody in family could decipher the secret messages they exchanged decades ago.