SHORT STORY
Letters from the palace
MARKING the birth centenary of "Kumudini", we present a translation of imaginary letters from Sita Devi to her mother and, from Hidimbi's grandmother to her grand daughter. These letters are part of a larger collection titled Antappura Tapal — Letters from the palace (Ananda Vikatan, 1934, and reprinted in Sillarai Sangathigal Limited, a collection of stories by Kumudini in 1948).
Kumudini (Smt. Renganayaki Thatham: 1905-86) was one of the earliest women writers in 20th Century Tamil Literature. She had strong feminist leanings and translated Rabindranath Tagore's Yoga-yog from the Hindi version into Tamil. It was serialised in Ananda Vikatan in 1934 and brought out in book form in 1955. Kumudini also wrote the novel Diwan-Magal (1942) which advocated inter-caste marriage, a revolutionary concept 60 years ago. She was appreciated for her subtle wit and humour in her stories which were published in Ananda Vikatan, Kalaimagal and other magazines. A sincere Gandhian, she corresponded with him, spent several months in Sewagram and founded the Seva Sangham in Tiruchi in 1948. She has also translated the Gandhian writings of J.C. Kumarappa into Tamil.
Reproduced here are a few letters.
Sita's letters
This letter is to the beloved consort of Mithila's Lord Janaka from Sita Devi of Ayodhya.
I, SITA, prostrate prayerfully before Amma with a submission.
All is well here, and hope it is so with you too. The people and the chariot you sent have arrived. The messengers told us that you have instructed us to come to Mithila for Deepavali. Considering the state of affairs here, I am sure you will understand that it will be difficult for us to visit you now. My father-in-law is always at Mandavi's mother-in-law, Kaikeyi's house. My mother-in-law is furious. She conceals it well though, and is engrossed in prayer and serving food to Brahmins. I have to get up early in the morning, bathe and help her with chores. Work fills the day. There is not a moment's rest.
As soon as the wedding ceremonies were over, my brother-in-law Bharathan was taken away by his uncle. You know Shatrugnan, he always tails his elder-brother. Only after they return, can we seek permission for the journey, and after all that, I don't know if we will be able to reach Mithila before Deepavali. I have great doubts about the whole thing.
After thinking it over, your son-in-law has decided that it is best we spend Deepavali in Ayodhya itself. Father will soon receive a letter about this from my father-in-law.
Do send the gift of silks to us. Your son-in-law likes only yellow silk. So, buy only that for him. Here, for Deepavali, a new design in gold bracelets is being fashioned for the son-in-law of the house, Rishyasringan. It is lovely! Do make a similar one for your elder son-in-law and send it. Along with the people who bring this letter to you, I am sending a goldsmith who excels in that kind of workmanship. No one need know that I have written to you about this matter.
You wrote that a sindhur-coloured sari is being woven for me. Here in Ayodhya, people are very fastidious about the way they dress. I believe that their silks are brought by traders from foreign lands; those narrow borders look so elegant. My sister-in-law Shantha wore one such in blue. I long to have one like it! All the saris that you bought for my wedding have broad borders. I feel so embarrassed to wear them now. Everyone makes fun of me. Don't send me any more of that kind.
Salutations to my esteemed Father.
Ever your humble,
Sita
PRAYERFUL submission to mother.
All well here. After writing to you, I met my sister-in-law Shantha. It seems the blue colour is not fast. Fades soon. So, I don't want a silk of that colour. Send the sindhur-coloured silk as planned earlier. Or else, if you can find a copper-coloured one which is guaranteed to be fast, send that. It is boring to wear the same colour over and over again. Anyway, do what you feel is most convenient. I don't want to trouble you much. However, don't buy the blue shade.
Affectionately,
Sita
* * *
PRAYERFUL submission to mother.
All well here. Quite suddenly Father-in-law has had an idea. A plan to perform the coronation of your son-in-law! This means a sari — with your blessings — in the pandal! What kind of sari do you plan to send? Do you think the navamallika colour will be nice? Since it is going to be displayed in the pandal, it has to be a grand one. How quickly will you be able to get one with spots like a deer's worked all over it? Or will it be possible only if ordered well in advance? My mother-in-law does not like cuckoo- or peacock-colour. Tiger-stripes will look as if I'm in puli-vesham. I really don't know what you are going to do. My head is spinning thinking continuously about these saris. I simply cannot decide. Do as you think best.
Your loving Sita
P.S.
Or else, buy a very grand sari for both Deepavali and the Coronation Function combined.
* * *
MOTHER,
No need to send any sari. All is over. We are going away to the forest. The coronation — will now be for Bharatan. The person who is bringing this letter will tell you everything. I have only one dress made of bark-skin. If it rains in the forest and I get wet, I will have nothing else to wear. Therefore, if possible, send a bark-skin. Your son-in-law says that only your appalams taste heavenly. We are going to Chitrakoot. Nobody need know this.
Yours in haste.
Sita
P.S.
There is no need to worry any more about the colour of saris. Peace of mind is now mine. How helpful it would be if all women were to go to the forest! Half the worries would disappear.
Sita
* * *
MARKING the birth centenary of "Kumudini", we present a translation of imaginary letters from Sita Devi to her mother and, from Hidimbi's grandmother to her grand daughter. These letters are part of a larger collection titled Antappura Tapal — Letters from the palace (Ananda Vikatan, 1934, and reprinted in Sillarai Sangathigal Limited, a collection of stories by Kumudini in 1948).
Kumudini (Smt. Renganayaki Thatham: 1905-86) was one of the earliest women writers in 20th Century Tamil Literature. She had strong feminist leanings and translated Rabindranath Tagore's Yoga-yog from the Hindi version into Tamil. It was serialised in Ananda Vikatan in 1934 and brought out in book form in 1955. Kumudini also wrote the novel Diwan-Magal (1942) which advocated inter-caste marriage, a revolutionary concept 60 years ago. She was appreciated for her subtle wit and humour in her stories which were published in Ananda Vikatan, Kalaimagal and other magazines. A sincere Gandhian, she corresponded with him, spent several months in Sewagram and founded the Seva Sangham in Tiruchi in 1948. She has also translated the Gandhian writings of J.C. Kumarappa into Tamil.
Reproduced here are a few letters.
Grandmother's desires
Letter written by Hidimba's grandmother Sammarjanakesi (She-with-hair-like-broomsticks) to Srimati Pisachavadani (Mrs. Ghoul-face).
MAY all propitious things come to my dear friend Pisachavadani.
Are you keeping well?
We have not yet found a groom for my granddaughter. She has grown as tall as a tree. I think about her wedding all the time. I have rolled out appalams for it. She does not even know how to use the upper cloth to cover herself. She is always running around with that Hidumban.
Because of this cold weather, my feet are very painful. I am unable to digest anything. I ate only one goat the other day, and my stomach churned all night. I was very uncomfortable. She wants only a swayamvara. All because of modern education. Who listens to what we say? If you have any, send me a couple of barrels of chukku-thippili medicine.
Kumbakarna's great grandson Vakranasi (Crooked-nose) is a gem of a boy. Perhaps a little dark skinned. You know his mother. Our Tataka's own aunt's daughter. I saw her the other day on the riverbank. "I want an alliance with you. My granddaughter must be married into your family", I told her. She was agreeable to this.
I have rolled out 5000 appalams. Who listens to us? I showed the horoscopes to the astrologer. "It will happen, but the right time has to come", he said. I have made arrangements for prayers to be said to Lord Brahma. Do drop hints that she will receive many gifts at the time of the wedding.
Both my legs have become useless. Who is to say anything and anyway, what can be done? Do today's children listen to us? This Hidumban is forever taking her away to roam around. Do you think that a decoction of rose buds will help with the gas problem? Or will it bring in some new devilish trouble?
Hidumban growls that the marriage will take place when the time is right. It preys on my mind constantly.
Appalam... .
* * *
Sammarjanakesi writes to Saubhagyavati Hidimba Devi.
First Letter
MANY blessings to Saubhagyavati Hidimba.
Why did you marry Bhima? I never want to see your face. I had chosen a groom like Manmatha for you!
Does one marry a human? You have done this in the middle of the night without even a squeak! You have brought ruin to the family! Never visit my house again!
Kunti has five sons. She will be prejudiced. I raised you so carefully giving you an oil bath every other day. She will keep your stomach empty. Why did you marry Bhima? What do I care what happens to you! I was hoping to see a child of your womb. Does one marry out of caste like this?
In preparation for your wedding, I rolled appalams, made vadams and went to so much trouble! Why did you marry Bhima! Everything is wasted! Never again do I want to hear you call me grandmother. I will not come anywhere near your house.
* * *
Second Letter
BLESSINGS to Saubhagyavati Hidimba.
I saw Pisachavadani yesterday. "Your granddaughter is very well-behaved. She is obedient to her mother-in-law," she said.
"After all, my granddaughter takes after me! I have taught her whatever skills I have," I told her.
Be good. Make sure you pull the upper cloth firmly over yourself. If they snigger that you are like this or like that, I will be very ashamed. It seems Dharmaputra praised you. Kunti is a very good person. Large family, poor thing! Be helpful to her.
I heard someone say that Bhima and Hidimbi are made for each other.
What do I want from you? If I hear that you are doing well, that is enough. No stigma should come to your grandfather's name, that's all. Be good.
* * *
Third Letter
ALL manner of auspicious things should happen to Saubhagyavati Hidimba. Pisachavadani gave me the news. "She's lost her appetite, she has morning sickness," she said. I am setting off right away to come over to your house.
Your beloved grandmother.
Translated by Ahana Lakshmi, edited by Mini Krishnan (Editor, Translations OUP).
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