The sight of a man in Khaki clothes cycling up to your door step to deliver hand written messages is a rather rare one today. As the years have passed newer technology has come into being and the tradition of writing letters has been left behind. A few Bengalureans, who still continue the tradition and thrive on the thrill of writing and receiving a letter, open up to us about their experience.
Anquna Ananitha, a M.A student from St Joseph’s college says, “I have always had a fascination for collecting flowers. When I was about 10 years old, my aunt, from the US used to write letters to us. She knew about my fascination with flowers and sent me a lavender flower in the last envelope I received from her. Days after I received that letter I found out that she had died of cancer. Now, when I go back and read the letter or open the envelope, it leaves me with a smile. I feel her presence around me. Hence began my habit of writing letters; in an effort to spread smiles. If I am travelling or in my day-to-day life come across something that reminds me of somebody I make it a point to send them a postcard about it.”
There is no denying the fact that letters are much slower to reach when compared to mails and other messaging platforms. Yet, a few millennials today choose to write letters over sending a quick message.
Kenneth George, a primary French teacher at Legacy School who actively writes letters to his friends and family says, “When I know that someone has sent me a letter I keep running to the door every time I hear the postman’s bell. I am eager to receive the letter and read what the other person has to say. I can only imagine and reassure my faith in the magic of letters when I think about the excitement the person feels. Writing letters is also a way for me to exercise my love for pen and paper in a world that has made writing so mechanic. But there have also been times when I have gotten frustrated over a delay in delivery. I feel I should have mailed or messaged it to them. But, when I receive that phone call where the other person, so joyfully, tells me that they have received the letter, I cannot stop myself from writing.”
Going back to a time when letters were the only means to communicate, Ellappan KN, a postman who works for Dharmaram College Post Office recalls a time when the arrival of a postman was more so a celebration.
He says, “I remember watching people wait at their doorsteps to receive letters from their husbands, wives, children and parents. During festivals they would show their love and affection towards us by inviting us home and allowing us to be a part of their celebration. Today, though I have a bag full of letters there are only a handful of them which aren’t coming from banks, offices and other institutions.”
