The story starts with Durga Puja versus Diwali, Rosogolla versus Ghevar, Panjabi/Sari versus Sherwani/Salwar Kameez and continues forever with veg, non-veg, Alpona, Rangoli, Lokkhir Pachali, Hanuman Chalisa and most importantly art versus business, needless to say which party favors which aspect of life.
Photo:SNS
A Bengali groom and a non-Bengali bride.
Enough reason for a super entertaining rom-com.
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The story starts with Durga Puja versus Diwali, Rosogolla versus Ghevar, Panjabi/Sari versus Sherwani/Salwar Kameez and continues forever with veg, non-veg, Alpona, Rangoli, Lokkhir Pachali, Hanuman Chalisa and most importantly art versus business, needless to say which party favors which aspect of life. If Bengal is all about being emotionally intellectual with Rabindrasangeet, the Hindi speaking Indian heartland is dedicated to going religiously swept in the hymns of Ramcharitmanas.
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No one part of either cultures can be missed or dismissed for the other as Unity in Diversity of India is a cultural amalgamation of every belief.
Souvik Roy and Shipra Chaturvedi did not realize that they were in ‘Love Actually’ in spite of being colleagues in the same school teaching music and mathematics and computer science to children respectively. They started out as co-passengers in the same bus exchanging numbers for better commuting. That was the time a well-wishing elder brother of Souvik’s had premonished that the two of them were Cupid’s chosen ones. Things rolled slowly for them with Souvik ‘detecting’ out Shipra’s locked profile on Facebook, Shipra casually enquiring about Souvik’s romantic life, more frequent chatting, feeling closer and finally Souvik proposing marriage to Shipra feeling down in the din of a wedding party far away from Kolkata.
Shipra did not respond immediately as it seemed impossible for her conservative, finance caring, conformist family hailing originally from Madhya Pradesh but settled for a long time in Kolkata to accept the music maniac, bohemian artist Souvik as its son-in-law. In fact even the girl in question Shipra was taken aback to see Souvik dressed as casually as possible as a school teacher not withstanding music as his subject. Souvik however had rightly sensed a close friend and compatible confidant in Shipra.
But love is an emotion which we the mortals cannot manipulate.
The two of them went against her family particularly Shipra’s father’s wish and tied the knot on the 18 November 2016. Their marriage was coordinated by their respective work places, Souvik’s corporate firm which he joined later and Shipra’s school. Souvik’s parents accepted Shipra whole heartedly but was not exactly in a vantage position to organize the wedding and accommodate the newlyweds well at home as Souvik’s career had just started after their flourishing family business faced a debacle. Interestingly Souvik applied the vermillion on Shipra using not a gold but imitation ring which no one could make out owing to the obligations of the moment. The moment’s disappointment was washed away later when Shipra presented her husband with a pure and prestigious finger ring with sheer hard work.
Priceless mementos of life to ponder on later at the mellow sunset boulevard.
They changed homes, offices, moved from pillar to post, reconciled with ailing and agitated parents of both, made peace with Shipra’s family, helped Souvik’s father recover his failing health and finally settled in their plush pad inviting all their well wishers at their house warming to repay their love which saw Souvik and Shipra through their challenging times. Shipra’s parents are Souvik’s parents now and vice versa with Souvik’s household being helpless without Shipra.
Their real struggle however was not with others but with their own selves. It was a clash of opposing cultures which every inter community marriage struggles with. Shipra cannot bear the smell of fish and steers clear of the fish and meat selling markets. Souvik’s parents on the other hand are surprised to hear him fed with veggies for days. However the hunger problem is solved with Souvik becoming almost vegetarian by choice for love as well as health reasons. Shipra on the other side has seen most of the Feluda series and takes interest in other areas of Bengal’s cultural canvass. She is the ultimate armchair which shelters and protects a large part of Souvik’s vulnerable self. She decides everything from daily groceries to investment portfolio, even baking simple bread for Souvik who often returns home long after midnight, exhausted of constant exposure to confectionery being the marketing head of a famous cake and snacks line.
They unwind at odd times when the world goes out for work. Shipra takes care of the academic administration of her school, Souvik’s food firm gets brisk business at festival times. So they are left with an occasional staycation option not far from home but away from daily engagements. They differ over a lot of things but let the best man win without allowing the acrimony to complicate. The pandemic lockdown brought them closer together. Souvik was forced to be self- reliant as Shipra fell prey to Covid twice.
When asked to share some wisdom over a happy married life for the younger generation Souvik says the ultimate truth “There is no ideally happy married life, just follow the flow of your life to the best of your powers”. Shipra however is more particular about the matter. She says “Think well, spend time, be sure and then take the marital plunge, as there is no coming back after that”. Marriage for her is the irrevocable destiny which once written cannot ever be obliterated.
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