Amchya aayushyatil kahi athawani (आमच्या आयुष्यातील काही आठवणी) by Shrimati Ramabai Ranade (श्रीमती रमाबाई रानडे)

"Amchya aayushyatil kahi athawani (आमच्या आयुष्यातील काही आठवणी)", a Marathi book by Shrimati Ramabai Ranade (श्रीमती रमाबाई रानडे). This edition of the book is published by Samanvay prakashan in Nov 2012 and has 272 pages. Original book was written in early twentieth century.

Ramabai Ranade was second wife of Mahadevrao (Madhav) Ranade, who was a judge, great thinker and social activist. He was a champion of women's education and was firmly in favor of remarriage of widows which was considered a taboo in those days (Second half of 19th century). He was also the cofounder of Prarthana Samaj (प्रार्थना समाज). He married little Rama, almost 20 years younger than him, upon insistence and tantrums from his father instead of marrying a widow. (And this is considered as biggest blemish on his career)

Ramabai was illiterate at the time of marriage. Mahadeorao taught her and appointed tutor to teach her Marathi, English & Bengali. Ramabai was impressed and awestruck by him, his thoughts and personality. She also loved him unconditionally.

She tells us that despite having an excellent salary, he never carried any money on him. All the household expenses were handled by ladies of the house and later by Ramabai. Rama traveled all over India with her husband, from Lahore to Kolkata and from Amritsar to Madras. This was unusual for a typical brahmin lady of that time.

This book is written in the format of memoir or a diary, though the entries are not dated. If the author had not kept the notes then we have to acknowledge that she had tremendous memory because everything is written in great detail.

Although both Rama and Madhav were active in public life and are celebrities of their time, this book is about their personal life and their public life appears only in reference to private life only when necessary.

Madhavrao had a very delicate health. Rama took great care of him playing various roles. Sometimes she played his disciple, sometimes care taker, sometimes his nurse, sometimes his mother and mostly his wife. She idolized him, revered him and loved him.

The narration is simple, language is ancient and author had preferred not to dramatize and kept it factual. Her whole life was her husband, until his death. He was her first priority and she considered herself blessed to have such a husband.

The book ends with the death of Madhavrao in year 1900. Although Rama carried on with the social work of Madhavrao after his death, it doesn't form part of this book.

A good book. If you  are interested in the personalities, read it.