A bunch of old letters and why letter-writing holds relevance

We live in an age when technology drives most of what we do in our day-to-day lives. And blessed as we are with tech boons such as smartphones and instant messaging applications, the subtle art of writing letter may seem outdated. But when it comes to giving expression to your deepest thoughts, words pulsing through electronic cables seem inadequate -- which is perhaps why letters retain their relevance and may never go out of fashion.

And two timely offerings -- one by former Indian minister, diplomat and parliamentarian K. Natwar Singh, and the other by prize-winning international bestselling author Simon Sebag Montefiore -- rekindle the joy of writing letters and bring to fore the nostalgia associated with this timeless practice.

In "Treasured Epistles", which released in late September, Singh, a man of many distinctions, states that his life has been enriched immensely by his gift for friendship and personal relations.

The letters also convey more than they were actually meant to. For instance, the letters written by Indira Gandhi, whose image in public memory today is largely based on the Emergency, reflect the kindness with which she addressed Singh. Read Complete Article

Business Standard