Separated In 1946, Kerala Couple Meets For The First Time After Seven Decades

EK Narayanan Nambiar who is in his nineties met his first wife, Sarada, for the first time after they got separated in 1946, reported NDTV. The reunion was nothing less than a scene from Yash Chopra’s movie Veer Zara. The reunion was not a romantic one but was the meeting of two souls who were the victims of oppression by the British and the feudal lords. EK Narayanan Nambiar who is 93-year-old was jailed for participating in the historic peasant uprising in 1946 that took place Kavumbayi village, Kerala. He married Sarada who is now 89-year-old in 1946. Narayanan and Sarada were 18 and 13 years old respectively when they tied the knot.

The two parted just after ten months of marriage. Narayanan and his father Thaliyil Raman Nambiar, who led the Kavumbayi agitation went underground. These two were caught after two months and jailed for participating in the land struggle. After Narayanan was jailed, the young bride was sent to her parental home as Malabar Special Police knocked at her door at odd hours in search of Narayanan and Raman.

Narayanan’s nephew told PTI that their house was ransacked and set on fire. Narayanan was sent to prison for eight years. He served his terms in three jails at Viyyur, Salem, and Kannur. In February 1950, his father was shot dead in Salem jail. After a few years, Sarada’s family decided to marry her off to another person. Narayanan after his release in 1957 got married as well.

However, after several years, Bhargavan, son of Sarada, an organic farmer, met a relative of Narayanan. They discovered that both the family had a history together. It was planned then that the two lost couple should be met.

Narayanan came to Bhargavan’s house to meet Sarada. Sarada deferred to meet Narayanan, but after much coaxing, she agreed. The two were quiet for some time and kept wiping away their tears. Bhargavan’s family also arranged a ‘Sadhya'(a feast consisting of a variety of traditional vegetarian dishes) for Narayanan and the two families agreed to meet soon. Sarada was widowed 30 years ago and is lived by four of her six children.

The Logical Indian community expresses joy in the reunion of this couple. It hopes for a healthy long life for them.

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