Mejappati

Subbubond

Dear Re:Thadi Reader,

Trust this letter finds you in good health and cheer. 

It is not that I write letters often but it is something I want to inculcate. Many of my relatives were prolific letter writers.

I have heard that a letter from them was akin to reading a story book, with drama and family characters. At times my father’s letters would include the full recipe of a dish that my mother made. My uncle’s letter could precisely describe the aroma of the jasmine flower plucked in our village garden. 

My grandfather used to write inland letters to his people everyday morning at 4 am when it was silent and he could bring in that care and attention which a message deserves. Sitting by this “Mejapetti”. A writing table with compartments for ink, pens, paper cutter, letter opener, staple, eraser, ruler, and lens. 

He also maintained a record of the letters he received and the date of the replies he sent- with a brief note of the content and context he wrote in the letter. The kind of messages, the length of messages indicated the care they took to express and give comfort to someone who was living thousands of miles away.

When he passed away, I asked his sons to give me this family treasure, the Mejapetti.

My father’s letters to his widowed mother bought immense solace to my grandmother as living as a widow in the village was tough. 

A letter from my grandfather to my mother or uncles could bring tears of joy or at times, sadness.  The discussion around the letter transformed everyone- even those who remotely heard the content of the letter, like the maids in the house. 

The letters gave strength, ideas to resolve an issue, or just to share an event In between the long form of inland letters or pages wrapped in an envelope were the postcards which had its own form of care and connection.

Today WhatsApp and Email is convenient but somehow brings in an excess speed  of response and that speed may reduce the focus or care that a topic deserves. The urge to send is so high…

At a time, when we need to slow down.

Tell me, dear reader, do you know of people who write letters? Have you written letters? Or have a writing desk like this? 

Regards

Subbubond

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Objects of Our Affection is a series exploring our connections to the furniture and objects that make our spaces home. Through stories of tables, chairs, and that odd-shaped thing only you love, we celebrate the inanimate pieces that hold memory and witness our lives.

If you'd like to contribute your own story to this series, we'd love to hear from you. Micro-essays, poems, reflections, and fragments welcome. Write to us at hellothadi@gmail.com. Word limit 400.