When we talk about love, we talk about the whirlwind it brings with it, butterflies, fluttering when we feel its presence around us, and so on.
Love is an incredible thing and it is one of the most amazing things the world has to offer. Falling in love has always been talked about in literature, movies, and songs, but sometimes we forget to talk about the most satisfying aspects of falling in love, which is falling in love and doing things for love. People always say that it is the intellect that counts but sometimes when one shows love through his actions, it brings two people who are involved closer together. History shows that people have done a lot in the name of love. Haven’t you heard of the Taj Mahal? One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, the Mughal king as a tribute to his love for his wife, Mumtaz Begum. Today, it is one of the biggest symbols of love.
People say that these things existed in those days but is that completely true?
Agreed there hasn’t been another Taj Mahal since the first but the romantic gesture hasn’t died. From grand proposals to people riding their bikes six thousand miles, it all still happens.
If the last part of the sentence above caught your attention and you want to know that story, then you’re in luck because I’m about to tell you the story of the man who cycled from India to Sweden to marry the love of his life. Sounds like something out of a fairy tale right?
Give me the chance to tell you the story, grab some popcorn and some napkins, and your bad side is about to come out!
We’ll go back to 1975, where it all began.
Dr. Kumar Mahanadia Pradyumna traveled across eight countries to reunite with his wife of the day, Charlotte van Schedveen who was a student when during a trip to India she met her future husband, an artist of limited means, in 1975. Dr. Kumar was no ordinary student either. He was born into a poor family but thanks to his talent and skill he was able to secure a secure place in the Art College, Delhi.
At that time, a beautiful woman asked him to draw a portrait of her, but the nervous young man could not draw his dream woman correctly the first time, so he asked Charlotte to come back another day.
They met and soon fell in love. Dr. Kumar speaks very fondly of how he fell in love with Charlotte for her simplicity and purity.
Read : The Dance Between Intimacy and Independence in Marriage
Like every great love story, theirs wasn’t smooth sailing either but that didn’t stop them. Their families strongly opposed their marriage but they were still married, and in honor of her husband’s culture, Charlotte changed her name to Charulata.
Things were going well but in 1978, Charlotte had to return to her home country and asked her husband to go away with her. Dr. Kumar was unable to join her immediately due to his incomplete education and promised that he would come to her on the day he would get his degree.
Charlotte left and all the couple had were messages sent back and forth because, well, they didn’t have WhatsApp at the time. Even in her letters, Charlotte told him that she would send him tickets to come with her but Dr. Kumar was adamant. He was only meeting her using his means. No financial assistance will be accepted.
He continued to have his degree at home and supported him emotionally, while they missed each other terribly, but they never gave up. Things weren’t easy for sure but it was their love that got them through it all. Letting go is always the easiest thing to do, but continuing to hold on is a feat that can only be achieved through true love.
