As Valentine’s Day approaches, lovers worldwide prepare to express their affection through digital messages, gifts, and grand gestures. Yet, beneath the modern-day commercial spectacle lies an age-old tradition that once defined love and longing—the handwritten letter. In an era dominated by instant communication, have we lost something irreplaceable in abandoning pen and paper?

From the Wolves of Rome to a Day of Love

From ancient Roman fertility festivals to modern-day romance, Valentine’s Day has a rich history. The origins of Valentine’s Day can be traced back to Lupercalia, an ancient Roman festival celebrated from February 13 to 15. Rooted in both mythology and ritual, it honoured fertility, purification, and the primal connection between love and nature. With time, the festival evolved, and by the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I replaced Lupercalia with a Christian observance—Saint Valentine’s Day.

According to legend, in the 6th century BCE, King Amulius ordered the twin infants to be drowned in the Tiber River after their mother broke her vow of celibacy. However, fate intervened. A compassionate servant placed them in a basket, which was carried downriver by the river god and eventually caught in the roots of a fig tree. A female wolf discovered them and raised them in her den at the base of Palatine Hill, the very place where Rome would later be founded. This sacred site became known as Lupercal, and in honour of this myth, Romans celebrated Lupercalia—a festival of purification, fertility, and primal passion.

The figure of Saint Valentine himself remains shrouded in mystery. Some believe he was a priest in 3rd-century Rome who secretly married couples against imperial orders, while others claim he was a bishop of Terni. One enduring legend tells of a Valentine who, before his execution, penned a note to his beloved, signing it “From your Valentine.” Thus began a legacy of love letters that has persisted through centuries.

And so, from the primal cries of Lupercalia to the poetic whispers of lovers, the day that began with Roman wolves evolved into a celebration of love, affection, and heartfelt expression.

The Romance of Ink and Paper

Before instant messaging, lovers poured their emotions onto paper, crafting letters infused with thought, longing, and the weight of every pause between sentences. The world’s oldest known love poem, The Love Song for Shu-Sin (circa 2000 BCE), speaks to the enduring power of written love. In ancient India, Kalidasa’s Meghdootam, written in the 4th or 5th century CE, transformed yearning into poetry, as an exiled Yaksha sent his love letter via the monsoon clouds.

Even in Bengal, love letters have played a significant role in literature. Rabindranath Tagore’s Shesher Kobita explores the profound intimacy of written words exchanged between lovers, while Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay and Jibanananda Das infused their works with the melancholy of letters unsent, unread, or unanswered.

More Than Romance: Letters of Friendship, Family, and Longing

Beyond romantic love, letters have been vessels of history, revolution, and personal connection. Before instant communication, they sustained friendships, connected families, and even shaped national movements. The letters exchanged between Rabindranath Tagore and Victoria Ocampo, or between Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, provide invaluable insights into their thoughts and philosophies.

For those of us who grew up in the pre-smartphone era, the joy of receiving a letter is a cherished memory. The crisp rustle of the paper, the distinct scent of ink, the anticipation as we carefully unfolded the envelope – these sensory details transformed communication into a kind of art. Each letter became a treasured keepsake, a tangible piece of someone’s presence preserved in time. I remember having several pen pals. The magic of corresponding with them wasn’t just about learning about different cultures and places; it was also about the delightful surprise of the various postage stamps adorning the envelopes. Each stamp was a tiny window into another world.

The Lost Art of the Love Letter: Can It Be Revived?

But in the age of instant messaging, have we sacrificed depth for speed? In an era where quick texts and GIFs replace long, thoughtful expressions, have we lost something irreplaceable?

While technology makes communication easier, it also strips away the depth and permanence of words written by hand. A letter is more than just a message—it is a tangible piece of one’s heart, an artefact of emotion. The smudges of ink, the hurried strokes of passion, the hesitant pauses between sentences—these details create a lasting connection that no screen can replicate.

This Valentine’s Day, why not step away from the convenience of instant messaging and embrace the old-world charm of a handwritten letter? Whether to a lover, a friend, a parent, or even yourself, take the time to let ink tell a story that time cannot erase. As long as hearts yearn for connection, the magic of the handwritten letter will never truly fade.

Confessions of a Cryptic Handwriter

Of course, embracing handwritten letters is easier said than done—especially for those of us whose handwriting resembles an ancient script waiting to be deciphered! Years of keyboard dependence have turned my penmanship into an enigma. My father had beautiful, elegant handwriting, a gift passed down to my sister.

Babuji, my father, used to joke that my teachers probably gave me marks out of sheer pity—or because they couldn’t decipher my answers and granted me the benefit of the doubt. I sometimes wonder if examiners assumed I was inventing a new script and rewarded me for creativity!

But even with my questionable penmanship, I recognize the undeniable intimacy of putting pen to paper. It forces us to slow down, to choose our words carefully, to create something lasting.

So, this Valentine’s Day, maybe I’ll attempt a letter—one that will (hopefully) be readable. And perhaps you should too. After all, love, in its truest form, deserves more than just a text. I’ve even started by trying my hand at a handwritten poem today. Will you join me in rediscovering the romance of ink and paper?