Today I’m going to narrate a story that happened during the Second World War time. Fasten your seatbelts and get ready to start the ride in my time machine, that would take you back to 70 years.
The story happened during 1938 in a small, beautiful village (now a town) of Kerala, Mavelikara. Every story needs a hero/heroine right ? For the time being, let's name my heroine as "Devu". Devu was the 6th child to her parents ,who was accompanied by 9 siblings (4 sisters (3 younger and 1elder) and 5 brothers). She was a graceful, charming young lady who was in her early 20's and owned that “ready to get married” tag like all other girls of that era. Her elder sister was already married and succeedingly, Devu was the next one in the queue of four younger sisters. This persuaded her family to search a suitable groom for Devu.
Her elder brother (Kuttan) was working in Singapore that time, employed in the 'British Army’s Civilian wing”. Hence, boys settled in Singapore were given a remarkable preference by her family. It was during this time, an elegant and handsome young man's proposal arrived from the land of beautiful back waters of kerala- Ashtamudi. Yes, he is the hero of my story. Let’s name him Sankar.
As per the Hindu traditions, horoscope match was a pre-requisite for all the weddings. Accordingly, both families carried out horoscope match and was pleased to proceed further. In the following week, the hero of Ashtamudi, Sankar came with his relatives for the 'bride seeing ceremony' and both the families were interested to know each other. Unlike the modern times, the “future husband and wife” never had any privilege for casual talks or could hardly see each other. But, Devu and sankar were lucky enough to have a glance at each other and soon after, wedding bells rang loudly for Devu and Sankar.
A small engagement ceremony (Vakkurappu) was held at devu’s home in the subsequent week. Ring exchanges were held seldom and hence, grooms never came for those engagement ceremonies. Sankar arrived for a short leave, and therefore he returned back to Singapore to rejoin his job without participating in the engagement. The family did not fix the wedding date and waited for Sankar’s update from Singapore. Henceforth, everyone waited for the letter or telegram (As you may know, there were no telephones or other communication means during that time) from Sankar so that both families could plan ahead for the betrothal. Devu’s brother (Kuttan) also returned back within few days, hoping to come back soon for her wedding.
Life can’t always be smooth as we expect right? Like the twist in the movies, there waited a twist in Devu’s life as well. After Sankar’s return to Singapore, there emerged a widespread news regarding the commencement of the Second World War. It was not just a fake news and the World War 2 began soon (1939). As I stated above, there were no communication means other than letters or telegrams and all these were put on hold due to the war. Only hope for the family were the daily radio announcements. Everyday, Devu and her family patiently waited for the radio announcements to know about “where-abouts” of Kuttan and Sankar. But, days and weeks passed by and everyone starting losing hope, except Devu.
Things were getting tough for a girl like Devu, having 3 younger sisters and brothers waiting to be in the shoes of brides and grooms. Sankar’s family also had no clues about him. In fact, no one was sure whether he was alive or not. Hence, Devu’s family forced her to forget about Sankar and get ready for another marriage.
Then came another handsome, young man from the district of Kanyakumari. He and his family had already decided to proceed with Devu’s alliance and they even bought a ring to be put on Devu’s hand. But, somehow things didn’t work out and that proposal got cancelled. After this bride seeing ceremony, Devu decided not to be bludgeoned into another proposal until and unless she knows any information about Sankar. The entire family was not happy with Devu’s decision and they went on convincing her. But, she did not give ear to anyone’s words and firmly sticked on to her stand. At last, her family had to surrender to Devu’s decision and decided to get her sisters married.
The next younger sister in the waiting list got married soon. She bid farewell to everyone at Devu’s family and left to her husband’s home. While everyone was busy with the wedding ceremonies, Devu was bit disturbed thinking about Sankar’s situation in Singapore. Devu was left all alone at home for weeks and months, thinking about Sankar day and night. And the war went on, like a blood thirsty monster, taking lives of thousands of people from all over the world, including Indians and many Keralites as well.
To be continued.....
The story happened during 1938 in a small, beautiful village (now a town) of Kerala, Mavelikara. Every story needs a hero/heroine right ? For the time being, let's name my heroine as "Devu". Devu was the 6th child to her parents ,who was accompanied by 9 siblings (4 sisters (3 younger and 1elder) and 5 brothers). She was a graceful, charming young lady who was in her early 20's and owned that “ready to get married” tag like all other girls of that era. Her elder sister was already married and succeedingly, Devu was the next one in the queue of four younger sisters. This persuaded her family to search a suitable groom for Devu.
Her elder brother (Kuttan) was working in Singapore that time, employed in the 'British Army’s Civilian wing”. Hence, boys settled in Singapore were given a remarkable preference by her family. It was during this time, an elegant and handsome young man's proposal arrived from the land of beautiful back waters of kerala- Ashtamudi. Yes, he is the hero of my story. Let’s name him Sankar.
As per the Hindu traditions, horoscope match was a pre-requisite for all the weddings. Accordingly, both families carried out horoscope match and was pleased to proceed further. In the following week, the hero of Ashtamudi, Sankar came with his relatives for the 'bride seeing ceremony' and both the families were interested to know each other. Unlike the modern times, the “future husband and wife” never had any privilege for casual talks or could hardly see each other. But, Devu and sankar were lucky enough to have a glance at each other and soon after, wedding bells rang loudly for Devu and Sankar.
A small engagement ceremony (Vakkurappu) was held at devu’s home in the subsequent week. Ring exchanges were held seldom and hence, grooms never came for those engagement ceremonies. Sankar arrived for a short leave, and therefore he returned back to Singapore to rejoin his job without participating in the engagement. The family did not fix the wedding date and waited for Sankar’s update from Singapore. Henceforth, everyone waited for the letter or telegram (As you may know, there were no telephones or other communication means during that time) from Sankar so that both families could plan ahead for the betrothal. Devu’s brother (Kuttan) also returned back within few days, hoping to come back soon for her wedding.
Life can’t always be smooth as we expect right? Like the twist in the movies, there waited a twist in Devu’s life as well. After Sankar’s return to Singapore, there emerged a widespread news regarding the commencement of the Second World War. It was not just a fake news and the World War 2 began soon (1939). As I stated above, there were no communication means other than letters or telegrams and all these were put on hold due to the war. Only hope for the family were the daily radio announcements. Everyday, Devu and her family patiently waited for the radio announcements to know about “where-abouts” of Kuttan and Sankar. But, days and weeks passed by and everyone starting losing hope, except Devu.
Things were getting tough for a girl like Devu, having 3 younger sisters and brothers waiting to be in the shoes of brides and grooms. Sankar’s family also had no clues about him. In fact, no one was sure whether he was alive or not. Hence, Devu’s family forced her to forget about Sankar and get ready for another marriage.
Then came another handsome, young man from the district of Kanyakumari. He and his family had already decided to proceed with Devu’s alliance and they even bought a ring to be put on Devu’s hand. But, somehow things didn’t work out and that proposal got cancelled. After this bride seeing ceremony, Devu decided not to be bludgeoned into another proposal until and unless she knows any information about Sankar. The entire family was not happy with Devu’s decision and they went on convincing her. But, she did not give ear to anyone’s words and firmly sticked on to her stand. At last, her family had to surrender to Devu’s decision and decided to get her sisters married.
The next younger sister in the waiting list got married soon. She bid farewell to everyone at Devu’s family and left to her husband’s home. While everyone was busy with the wedding ceremonies, Devu was bit disturbed thinking about Sankar’s situation in Singapore. Devu was left all alone at home for weeks and months, thinking about Sankar day and night. And the war went on, like a blood thirsty monster, taking lives of thousands of people from all over the world, including Indians and many Keralites as well.
To be continued.....
Eagerly awaiting to read next episode
ReplyDeleteFirst episode super.waiting.......
ReplyDeleteReally intriguing. Will definitely follow along.
ReplyDelete