Dr. ANANDI and her TIMES-II
20 May 2023 18:18:30
The first letter written by Anandibai, dated 10/5/1883 is addressed to Shri Gopalrao.
She wrote it on reaching London. Initially the letters are in Marathi, in the traditional style of a lady writing to her husband. Gradually one can see the change in the way she addresses him in the later phase.
The place provided in London had a separate bedroom for everyone and a common hall.( Some description of the place and people keep appearing in the letters.) Though it was not very cold, she was not ready to take a stroll as she feared that people might laugh at her dress and was suffering from cold and fever too, may be due to the journey . As it was a sunny day, people were very happy. There was some confusion and some of her luggage was sent ahead.
Her expression shows her respect for Shri Gopalrao and the writing has a family tone.
The second letter is by shri Gopalrao, probably in response to her letter, dated 10/5/ 1883,his letter has the date 29/5/1883
He was quite practical in his approach. He wrote that he was using post cards due to money crunch and he seemed to be a bit worried as he had to consistently work to raise funds for her education. There is a reference of a gentleman Shri Atmaram who wrote to her and sent some money. Such things probably made him think that good decisions get support from some unexpected quarters. Shri Gopalrao planned to take leave and travel to Yangon ( known as Rangoon then). But he insisted her to keep communicating. He kept sending her the address where she could send the next letter.
He was proud of her ,had faith in her ability too. He even asked for forgiveness for criticising her probably in some other letter. In the social circumstances then ,this was unimaginable.
He certainly was way ahead of the time.
The next in line is the postcard sent probably on 2/6/ 1883.
He advised her to take care of health,use money very carefully,warned her that behaviour would definitely be judged and would reflect Indian character. He wanted her to prove her detractors or critics wrong by her actions.( She had to face severe critism for her decision to study in America )
Indian Mirror, a news paper had suggested her to write about her experience often. Gopalrao too supported the idea, as he thought people should know about her journey in detail. ( It was certainly a matter of interest for print media. The paper was published from Kolkata,was started by shri Devendranath Tagore in 1817 and was owned by Shri Keshab Chandra Sen.) Gopalrao suggested her to make the write up interesting to read.
The next letter is written on 24 of June 1883 probably. He invariably conveyed that his health was good in every letter. He kept sending the news papers by post. It is noted that he couldn't get time to write to her as he was constantly traveling ( he might have sent the card from Baroda ( Vadodara ),then the plan was to travel to Ahmadabad,ajmer and Jaipur )
The letter is written in the month of June but there is no mention of his plan to travel outside India,thus may be before the plan.
He intended to travel to kashi and then to Kolkata.
The next letter has the date 18/8/1883 ( probably).
He was worried as there was no communication from Anandibai for three weeks, he couldn't guess the reason. He was concerned a lot ,he wrote if he did not receive any communication ,he would be compelled to sent a wire which would cost Rs 90.( This was a very big amount in 1883 ) He pleaded that he should get atleast one letter in a month, he was even satisfied with just two words in Marathi that she is well, if she had no time.
Anandibai seemed to have answered on 15/10/1883.
She certainly was upset and sorry that he was very worried about her. She sent her photograph to him, but his photograph did not reach her. Her suggestion is not in vain, it is explained in one of her letters later.By that time had been very busy with studies, and her involvement and dedication did not allow her to spare time out of the extremely busy schedule. Obviously, the language too sounds a little apologetic. Many people seem to be writing her then,and she was obliged to respond.
She wanted him to write in detail but of course, the money crunch was always a part of their life. She was always concerned about his health, conveyed that she has sufficient money to be spent on the daily necessities, her teachers and people around were very good. Probably Gopalrao referred to some cases,she was eager to know them in detail .
She seemed to be interested in knowing whether he had a plan to travel to America.
Initially when she reached America alone, obviously the letters were the only means of communication. Some letters were signed as Yamuna, which is her maiden name. Both had accepted fate, and Anandibai wanted to work hard as it was a rare opportunity that came her way. Her resolve is reflected in many of her letters.
She wrote it on reaching London. Initially the letters are in Marathi, in the traditional style of a lady writing to her husband. Gradually one can see the change in the way she addresses him in the later phase.
The place provided in London had a separate bedroom for everyone and a common hall.( Some description of the place and people keep appearing in the letters.) Though it was not very cold, she was not ready to take a stroll as she feared that people might laugh at her dress and was suffering from cold and fever too, may be due to the journey . As it was a sunny day, people were very happy. There was some confusion and some of her luggage was sent ahead.
In spite of all this she said everything is fine and asked him not to worry.
Her expression shows her respect for Shri Gopalrao and the writing has a family tone.
The second letter is by shri Gopalrao, probably in response to her letter, dated 10/5/ 1883,his letter has the date 29/5/1883
He was quite practical in his approach. He wrote that he was using post cards due to money crunch and he seemed to be a bit worried as he had to consistently work to raise funds for her education. There is a reference of a gentleman Shri Atmaram who wrote to her and sent some money. Such things probably made him think that good decisions get support from some unexpected quarters. Shri Gopalrao planned to take leave and travel to Yangon ( known as Rangoon then). But he insisted her to keep communicating. He kept sending her the address where she could send the next letter.
He was proud of her ,had faith in her ability too. He even asked for forgiveness for criticising her probably in some other letter. In the social circumstances then ,this was unimaginable.
He certainly was way ahead of the time.
The next in line is the postcard sent probably on 2/6/ 1883.
He advised her to take care of health,use money very carefully,warned her that behaviour would definitely be judged and would reflect Indian character. He wanted her to prove her detractors or critics wrong by her actions.( She had to face severe critism for her decision to study in America )
Indian Mirror, a news paper had suggested her to write about her experience often. Gopalrao too supported the idea, as he thought people should know about her journey in detail. ( It was certainly a matter of interest for print media. The paper was published from Kolkata,was started by shri Devendranath Tagore in 1817 and was owned by Shri Keshab Chandra Sen.) Gopalrao suggested her to make the write up interesting to read.
The next letter is written on 24 of June 1883 probably. He invariably conveyed that his health was good in every letter. He kept sending the news papers by post. It is noted that he couldn't get time to write to her as he was constantly traveling ( he might have sent the card from Baroda ( Vadodara ),then the plan was to travel to Ahmadabad,ajmer and Jaipur )
The letter is written in the month of June but there is no mention of his plan to travel outside India,thus may be before the plan.
He intended to travel to kashi and then to Kolkata.
The next letter has the date 18/8/1883 ( probably).
He was worried as there was no communication from Anandibai for three weeks, he couldn't guess the reason. He was concerned a lot ,he wrote if he did not receive any communication ,he would be compelled to sent a wire which would cost Rs 90.( This was a very big amount in 1883 ) He pleaded that he should get atleast one letter in a month, he was even satisfied with just two words in Marathi that she is well, if she had no time.
Anandibai seemed to have answered on 15/10/1883.
She certainly was upset and sorry that he was very worried about her. She sent her photograph to him, but his photograph did not reach her. Her suggestion is not in vain, it is explained in one of her letters later.By that time had been very busy with studies, and her involvement and dedication did not allow her to spare time out of the extremely busy schedule. Obviously, the language too sounds a little apologetic. Many people seem to be writing her then,and she was obliged to respond.
She wanted him to write in detail but of course, the money crunch was always a part of their life. She was always concerned about his health, conveyed that she has sufficient money to be spent on the daily necessities, her teachers and people around were very good. Probably Gopalrao referred to some cases,she was eager to know them in detail .
She seemed to be interested in knowing whether he had a plan to travel to America.
Initially when she reached America alone, obviously the letters were the only means of communication. Some letters were signed as Yamuna, which is her maiden name. Both had accepted fate, and Anandibai wanted to work hard as it was a rare opportunity that came her way. Her resolve is reflected in many of her letters.