Nurungukal  contd.....

                                We returned after a short sojourn in Calicut. Mother was anxious to know the details of the trip and the welfare of her brother and his family. She was much attached to them as she was looking after them for a period when uncle's wife died at an early age......... Slowly we returned to our routine life.

                                We always welcomed the arrival of our post man. From morning till after noon we can see him at his heels swinging the umbrella  as if to balance the stride. Holding the bundle of posts in the other hand , occasionally exchanging their positions. He will sit on the veranda and will announce his arrival by shouting ‘POST’.  He was careful to hand over the letters only to an elder member of the family. Fair ,lanky with a black puff like moustache he was very courteous and loved by one and all. Apart from his duty he spread a message of togetherness and love.  We were fascinated to watch the conversation between mother and he. After taking a glass of sambaram he would continue on his duty.

                                If the cover he delivered was blue we were sure that it was from our sister who was in Calcutta , Our brother- in -law was fond of blue and it looked  gracious. Often there used to be some photos . He had a box type KodaK camera and was an expert in capturing nice shots. I think his eldest son , who is now a retired officer has inherited the same quality. But the olden days black and white pictures stand out even now. After reading the letter immediately mother will write a long reply in which every thing which had happened in the immediate past would be recorded with minute details.  My father would write a few sentences in his long hand, impeccable and stylish. Those days that was the only mode of communication. Occasionally we would also scribble a few sentences , listing the items to be brought on her next visit. The habit of exchanging letters was an effective media for acquiring a creative taste.