Sanjiban's Correspondence with The Mother

13 October 1939

Mother,

I did not say that I have left painting. I am dragging on with it still. Whatever I try turns out to be hopeless. I did not show them to you or you would have seen what I say. But I have not and will not leave painting especially as you have encouraged me throughout.

Mother, I wanted to ask you something. Do you have a Tanpura (the four-stringed instrument with the accompaniment of which people sing) which may be lying with you and not used by anybody? If you have no objection, could you spare it to me? I shall use it and return whenever you want it back or if I myself don’t feel like singing. I am not sure it is with you but somebody told me you may have one — offered to you by someone.

Let your will be fulfilled in my life.

Indeed I used to have it (the tambura) for some time. But since a long time I do not have it with me. It may be in a box kept in Chandulal’s room, or I might have lent it for use to somebody but in that case I do not remember at all to whom. You might inquire from Chandulal about it. If it is found I shall lend it to you very willingly.

I have received nice catalogues of oil paintings from Lefranc in Paris. Just now it is impossible to order anything but we shall see about it later on.

13 October 1939