He is one of my favorite humans alive and I haven't even met him. Also, I've only stumbled upon his work today. Oh, how one eccentric soul knows another. Gotta go write a letter now, bye.
I love that he is singing irish songs when entering and I adore that he adds lots of cream to his coffee/tea and I admire his beautiful china cup and saucer and the ROOM is just amazing. The curtains, the bed, the flowers, the pots, and the top of that desk... everything. What a charming life and man.
❌ Hi everyone. This is Rajiv Surendra, and he's got a WONDERFUL TH-cam channel you may want to subscribe to. Everything he does, and say is so kind and classy. I'm binge watching all of his shows. He's a regular on the Drew Barrymore's show as well - You may want to look him up!!! I've learned so many interesting things from him. Cheerios!!! 🌼❌
Dear Rajiv, I’m sitting in my living room, it’s almost 1am. How did I come to watch this? Well, lo and behold my very clever You Tube recommended feed seems to notice I’ve watch calligraphy lessons in the recent past and sends me similar videos. How great that it recommended you! I have letters that are over a hundred years old. I rescued them from my grandparents house after their passing, along with my own child letters they had kept from me. I got to see my child handwriting again. They had kept it. I’d like to write to my grandparents again. I really would. But they have been gone since 92 and 2005. I miss them a lot. I work on genealogy for my family and there are many things they could easily answer if only they were here. I will try and think of someone else to write to. A friend, nephew, niece, the Concierge? (There’s no Concierge.) My own cat! I could read the letter aloud to my cat. That would be nice. Well, maybe. Thanks so much. Megs
Dear Just Megs, Would you like to be pen pals? I live in Colorado, USA. I used to write letters all the time to my grandfather who lived in the mountains where I was born. I miss him terribly. He had lovely cursive handwriting. I enjoyed this video so much and do miss correspondence with another person. Just thought I would ask. Raisin
Dear /whoever reads this/, I am looking for some new pan pals... Would someone here like to exchange some letters with me? I love this art. It would also help me to learn English as I am from the Czech Republic Thank you for every response! Natalie
@@natalieklitschova7793 Dear Natálie, I'd love to have you as a pen pal. My first language is English and I'm from the USA. I was born and (partially) raised in NYC, where I currently live! I hope to have a response from you. Christiane
@@natalieklitschova7793 Dear Natálie, I am also in search of a pen pal and would be delighted if you were willing to exchange letters with me! I am from Singapore, but I am studying in Hong Kong. I would love to make a friend from the Czech Republic, so I am eagerly waiting and hoping to hear back from you. Nicole
@@nicole-sy6ch Dear Nicole, I would love to exchange letters with you! I live in the USA in the state of Texas. I have not had much contact with any one outside of the country and would love to make an international friend:) I hope to hear back from you. Briana
I cannot tell you how much I appreciated your two videos on letter writing. I am 75 years old and have always been smitten by letters. When I open my mail box and find a hand written envelope my heart goes pitty-pat. I have been saving letters most of my life. My first letter was from my mother when I went to spend a few days with an aunt. I was six. I have all the letters from my first serious boyfriend. I have all the letters that I wrote to my parents and that they wrote to me when I went away to college. I have all the letters that my husband wrote to me while we were courting. I have lived many places in California and I have lived in Indonesia and Brasil. I have all the letters that my folks and I wrote to each other during that time. We moved back to the same state as my parents in 1980 so the letters stopped but soon there were letters to and from my children when they went away to college. These letters are neatly packed away awaiting the day that my granddaughters are interested in reading them.
The name of the Irish notebook paper is called "Aisling" and that means "a fairy dream" in Gaelic. Just a little bit of information that is absolutely adorable to add to all the other adorable things happening here :)
This young man can make even the most simple acts so interesting, serene and soothing. Ever since "meeting" him in his Ted presentation I can't have enough of him. He is so talented and yet so calm. He exudes elegance and class.
He is so delightful I could watch him all day. Doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. LoL. I would love for him to host an authentic decorating show. Nothing drama driven like most home shows. Just something quiet and calming yet interesting. Just like him.
Thank you so much for singing that song! My father sang that song to me everyday when I was little & called it my song. He died many years ago & this is the first time I've heard it since then. He was Irish American, by the way, & loved to sing! Anyway, Thank you!❤🌻❤🌻
I was a little girl in the 80s and still recall collecting writing paper and stamps and sending them to penpals around the world. It was always fun deciding which one to use, to suit the sendee. And then of course, receiving them sometimes with little gifts attached. It’s such a beautiful art form that we definitely as Rajiv says bring back for all the reasons he’s listed. I am actually a product of this, as my parents met as penpals.
The mailable notebook reminds me of back in college during summer break, some of us would send letters to each other written in left-over blue books from final exams. Several girls wrote a group letter while they were drinking in a bar, and the result (both content and worsening penmanship) was hilarious.
When I write a letter, I use a scrap piece of paper so that I can reformat, make a mistake etc. without freaking out. Then I copy it slowly in its final form on the nicer paper or postcard or whatever. I love these videos so much.
Me too! 😃 I use a refill pad so I can draft my letters and keep them all in one place 🤭 it's extremely useful since I have more than one penpal so I can remember not to repeat myself or make sure not to jump the gun with my stories hahahah!
I draft an outline of my letters because I tend to do exactly what Rajiv advises against, which is not keeping my thoughts concise and running out of space at the bottom of the page. Lol
Dear Rajiv, thanks I just wrote a letter of condolence to my niece on the loss of her young son. And that in Serbian after having been out of the country for 67 years. My 5 year old grandson wants to write a letter to his 5 year old girlfriend.
I am a dental hygienist and at the end of appointments we would ask people to fill out a postcard for their six month reminders and ask them to address it to themselves. I was literally dumbfounded at how many people did not even know how to address a postcard to themselves. They had not been taught how to properly write an address. I’m talking like 50% of the people between the ages of 16 and 30 could not do it. When my children were young I would have them sit down after the holidays and write thank you notes to aunts , grandparents , whoever , for their Christmas gifts, something that is not done anymore which is a crime.I had them address the envelopes with the return address as well put a stamp on it and put it in the mail so that they would actually know how to do this, my children are in their late 20s now. I had no idea what a service I was doing them by teaching them to do this. In my book if I give you a gift and don’t receive some sort of thank you , whether it’s a note, text Or email there will be no other gifts coming from me. Parents are majorly slacking on their jobs when they do not demand that a child show appreciation for gifts even if it is to their grandparents.
My mom passed away a little over three years ago… the other day while decluttering I found a letter she wrote to me many years ago…. What a meaningful treasure it is to have the paper with her chosen and written words reflecting her personality and her care for me. Thank you Rajiv for your inspiring words… we can make a difference in someone’s life even with a short written note.
As a shy fifteen year old I used to write these heartfelt letters to an equally receptive eighteen year old unknown pen pal... Thirty years later we met and saw each other for the first time on Facebook! Both on two extreme ends of the globe! Such is the impressionable power of letters! Cheers to Rajeev! May his tribe increase ❤
I remember when you received a letter from someone, and you might have read and re-read it many times, cherishing it. Emails and texts are disposable, I still have notes, cards, and letters people wrote to me years ago. It’s just more special, because it’s their handwriting.
I can't believe he is teaching the format of how to write an address on an envelope. But amazingly, there seems to be at least two generations that were never taught how to this. Thank God people like him exist! Beautiful hand calligraphy!
Texting and emails have eliminated letter writing, I recently started sponsoring a child in Africa and letter writing is encouraged. I began the first one and I was STUCK! It had been years since I wrote a letter. The second one came much easier. I have tried to encourage my 11 year old to write letters to family during summer break. She said " a what?" Lol. So, I appreciate this video because I can use it as reference, I just didnt make this up, as our kids often tend to think. Btw the stamps are fun!!
A teacher in my town inspired her class to become penpals with some of the residents in the retirement community where I work, in the same town. It is a rip-roaring success! The kids & the residents love it.
How many times can I like this! Love slow conversations about slow habits that bring us closer to feeling present. Thanks, Rajiv for your lesson and sweet candor.
It’s so true that letter writing is therapeutic. During the shutdowns I started a gratitude project where I set a goal to write 100 letters of gratitude to people places and events that shaped my life. It became 250 over 5 weeks. Most got sent. Some got burned. Some are stashed away so I can look back reflect on lessons that need to be remembered. This duo of videos was so timely and inspirational. I will certainly be writing more letters! Thank you!
I read the other day that some of the younger generation cannot read cursive writing, let alone write it…my mind blown. How can this be? I love this sweet fellow so much. Thank you Morgan Library and Rajiv. I am inspired to write letters to ALL my family now and to try calligraphy again. ❤️
Rajiv is a kindred spirit. I agree 100% that letter writing is becoming a lost art. I am a letter writer and I think it's important to put ink to paper when corresponding with friends and family. In today's digital world where many of us only send little texts or click emojis...there is more to communicating than a thumbs up or thumbs down. There is nothing more depressing that receiving an impersonal birthday greetings via text on Facebook. Rajiv... I appreciate your positive outlook on life. Keep up the wonderful presentations!
It is this type of sentimentalism and refinement that is sorely missing from today's modern world. I am glad that there are some out there who are still interested in this art, and that there are others willing to teach it.
My aunt and send letters each month, sometimes with photos included. My aunt lives in Michigan and I’m in Florida. They came to visit March 2021 and it will be the last time I will see them as my aunt and uncle are very old. I will always have our memories and letters and for that I am thankful! Write letters, even if it is a short message. A handwritten letter is special these days. Thank you for the lovely video!
As he started to show how to address an envelope I was like, "we know this already", but then I remember that while I learned this in elementary school, they probably don't do it anymore.
I'm a Jehovah's Witness and we are writing letters since the pandemic started. I have probably written approximately 610 letters give or take. I love it. And I'm glad I found this.
I'm a fourth generation letter writer, and, when I go on holiday, I pre-print address labels, then I write postcards and send them all over. This past summer, I sent over 350 postcards from Europe when I spent a month there. I love writing and getting letters. It's so lovely to sit and write.
I knew I had seen this guy before. He was in Mean Girls! He's right. Letters have a profound meaning to people. I have been writing letters back and forth to the elderly woman next door. Her and her husband have been staying home because they have health complications. She loves my letters and I love hers. I am inspired to sit down and write her again, as I have been so busy with my infant son that I have not written her in a couple months. Glad to have found this video, and rediscovered Rajiv Surendra.
Letter Writing is a lost art for most, but I still write letters to family a friend's in my chicken scratch. Thank you and I hope more people try to do the same.❤️
Oh wow... I love your handwriting Rajiv! When my family used to live in Portugal, Eastern Canada, and Brazil I used to wander as a child into interesting stores such as bookstores, stationery stores, little reminders gifting stores, and others. While my sisters would wander into clothing shops. Ha! Ha! I would always find interesting cardboard like envelopes, postcards, stamps, little thumb thimbles, and laces, beautifully decorated. Some were from Japan, China, Poland, France, and other cool places. I remember once I did find a beautiful painting like a postcard, I loved it so much that I send it to myself before we moved to the States, to our new address. By the time we arrived, we ran to the door where we had our boxes and looked into the mailbox. My postcard had arrived with extra markings from being in different mailing stations and an extra stamp for the zip code. We read it and laughed and ate cookies while our parents unpacked. It wasn't until my sisters were older they appreciated the letters I had sent to them over time. Now we are teaching the art of writing letters and calligraphy to Lizzy, and Camila (my nieces), when my nephew gets older we will teach him too. I love the feel of leather journals, soft and textured paper and the sticky stamp as I add the sealant, and use my personalized stamp to give it an old-world feeling. ❤💙💜
I am just in love and fascinated with the floral arrangements and the curtains softly fluttering amongst his many talents in all of his videos ❤️ he is so fascinating all around
I absolutely LOVE this young man! He is just such a delight to watch! From this beautiful room and his singing (I would have sworn that he is in a seaside town in Ireland), to his infectious love of writing & of letters that he shares with us throughout the video with such an honest & relaxed candor. I am going to look him up.. hopefully he has recorded more videos? On this channel or his own? If he doesn’t have any, and he sees this comment, please consider starting a channel, teaching calligraphy, letter writing, watercolor painting, or… hell, anything really. You have a fantastic natural ability to host and capture peoples attention.
I write letters often. Words of encouragement and a catch up on life’s events are always a good reason to write letters. I had pen pals as a child in China, America, France, Australia, Italy and even here in England. I love it. You can never say all you want in a text and email seems quite impersonal. It’s also very therapeutic 😊
I used to keep postage stamps handy. Now I’ll use regular letter stamps. When I traveled, I used to keep a list of people (and their addresses) to whom I would send a local postcard. There’s only room for 2-3 sentences on your travel experience. Less intimidating than a letter.
I am in love with writing letters too. There’s a certain feeling, that goes along with the letter, that you literally have to experience in order to understand. Thank you so much, for bringing this Art back to life.
I would love and adore a letter from Rajiv! I am a letter writer from forever! My mother is a poet - she sends me letters and cards! My best friend writes me hand written letters and I save them all. Merci beaucoup,
thank you dear Rajiv My grandmother, born in th e late 1880s, had correspondence with people all over the globe; she was a very special and wonderful human being :-). in her later years there was stationary, similar to the notebook letter you showed, to use as airmail letters...
I remember receiving letters, and it was exciting! I still have the letters from my childhood best friend who moved from the states to London. I have kept those letters for 45 years. As a result of these videos (Part 1 and 2), I bought some stationery yesterday and plan to write to family members this weekend. Thank you, Rajiv.
I love this. I could watch him talk about his passions all day. He really did inspire me to just stop the video and write a letter to someone. Love it!
You are quite an amazing person. I fell upon your site this morning and onto this one. You have actually inspired me to write a letter. Some thing I never enjoy doing because my thoughts are faster than my pen and it takes me a couple of tries. There’s something about the way you take the time so carefully to write a letter that I think I missing. You and your treasures are quite amazing. Maybe someday we can meet for coffee. Looking forward to other videos.
👍⭐️😍I absolutely love him! He is so special. This was so real…I still write letters to people….I appreciate people who do. Thank you for making & sharing this video.🙏💝
My mom passed on her love of cards and letter writing to all of her 5 girls . One of my favorite cards is one from 1929 I found in an antique store . It has violets on the front and say's " To the Sweetest of Girls " . I turned it over and it said " Hello Ruby " 🥰 so of course I bought it . Rajiv you can sing every time , I love it ! ❤❤🇨🇦
Exquisite soul! Honestly, I could listen to him all day. As a creative, as my fellow creatives will know, we 'get' each other - even when others do not.
I don't how to let you hear I'm clapping my hands when your video has finished. I'm in my late fifties , so having penfriends was the easiest way to keep in touch with those ones who leaved far from you ;eventhough when your boyfriend had been sent to the military service.(Phone calls were too expensive) You have brought into my mind all my Penfriends and the Shop where I usted to buy my papers and envelopes in different colours and textures I'm shocked by the amazing skill you draw that lovely letters. You have got the power to encourage people . Greetings from Spain!!!
Thank you for this 2 part video Rajiv! Since watching them for the first time a couple of months ago I have written more than 20 letters, some to families, friends and some to clients thanking them for their business. I combine new with old since I write my draft on my computer, revise and make changes and when I feel like it’s to my liking I then transcript it to paper so there are no mistakes 😂 I even have a pen pal now, so thank you again for the video and for getting me back to writing. I enjoy it very much.
Keep it up! Letters are a gift. When I receive cards now, they are not even dated. So I save them, but won’t know when they are from. Also, the postmarks are far less likely to have a legible date.
You are so adorable and precious! There are no coincidences. This video came at absolutely the right time. I happen to want to start writing letters to my family and you've been the start to push me to do it!
You are inspiring and encouraging- I am a letter writer- I write all the time- it was something that was important part of my upbringing. I have letters from my great-grandparents, grandparents and many many others- I keep them- I recognize who wrote them because I have learned to recognize their writing. I always consider who it is I'm writing to-which inspires me. Love the cool ideas!!! Write! Write! Write!!!
Thank you again! I hope you do continue this as a series! BTW I have a similar folder of those fabulous postage stamps for making the letters look even more special. Take a look at the Australian Post Office stamps they are particularly gorgeous! Ciao!
i love all of this. so much. rajiv is inspiring & funny & an incredible talent. thank you for shaing. ive been apart from some good friends for a while now, i think ill write them.
My dad would write; "It rained today." And that's it! Of course it rained, it rained everyday on the coast of Washington state! Oh, I loved those letters.
I am glad to see this post! I asked my close friend to join in and write letters! In this day of new technology, I feel people don’t want to write anymore! We are just use to pushing buttons for everything! I think we all forgot about the art of writing! Please keep encouraging people! It is a lovely skill.
In my grandson’s third grade class each student chooses a penpal of their choice (so fortunate he picked me) to correspond with for the entire year. I hope he is as excited to receive my letter as I am to receive his. Special treasured letters to pull out and reread and that always brighten my day.
I love writing letters! I flock to the paper section for special stationary and journals. We live in a world where people are losing the personal connection to each other and are selfish. During quarantine, I made a schedule of projects and hobbies to pursue including time to write a letter to someone each week, even random neighbors. Haven’t missed a week since lockdown! I think less of myself and my woes and more about what other people need. I look forward to it each week.
@@Jayneisere04 Sometimes we are at a lost as to who to write to. If you can't think of anyone, write bundle of letters to a nursing home (residents love receiving random notecards/drawings) or hand an encouraging letter or note to a nice cashier as you check out. Be careful about including personal information like your home address, live alone or not, etc.
If you don't know who to write to or what to write, write a reflection to yourself or to your future self. I keep all my letters and read the letters like once every year. It's really amazing to see what I wrote years or months before and see what time has changed and what progress I've made. It's beautiful.
Wonderful! I am of a generation that learned proper letter formats when I took typing in school. I was taught handwriting by nuns. I love all things paper. It is sooo sad kids don’t learn cursive today. Rajiv, you’re a treasure! Keep the videos coming!
Somehow I was lucky enough for TH-cam to recommend the tour video of Rajiv's home, which, after seing that and becoming completely intrigued by this amazing human, I found this video... What an inspiration this man is!! He simply oozes quality and care and attention to detail and friendliness and class without even the teeniest hint of snobbery... He is a consummate gentleman, and I'm feeling so blessed to have discovered his videos and am inspired to write letters again...Lucky me & lucky us!!
We were taught to use indented lines for the address if a personal letter and the non- indented style for a business letter. Love the art of writing. I have a collection of pens and inks too. You are inspiring. Merci beaucoup
I have my first letter written from me to my grandmother. I was 2 years old. I'm now 70. I've always written letters. I now write two to three letters each week to my brother.
Rajiv: As important as letters will always be, so are books. I feel compelled to write to you about my feelings when I read (in your book) about that beautiful elephant who remembered your uncle thirty years later. I just cannot take it either… thoughts of animals being forced into “servitude” (a fitting term) saddens me to no end. Animals should be happy and free! Rajiv, I feel their utter sadness and suffering in my soul. The only small solace comes to my heart when I realize that “yet they are safe”-away from those awful poachers- though, at the same time, they are certainly not free. 😢 I’m crying as I write this. Some hope is found in the work of people rescuing elephants and bringing them to sanctuaries, where they can be safe and happy and healthy. That is my prayer for all of the suffering animals in our world. Amen. ❤️
How refreshing to simply watch, listen, enjoy and be totally utterly inspired, we have all lost the joy of letter writing sadly ! A wake up call for me and hopefully you too. Xthankyou
I have been trading mail art for 13-14 years, I usually include a little note (a great use for my stationary collection, which is actually running out...), but most importantly include a piece of art, that I've made, and that I'm trading with a person in another part of the world. It's a wonderful community of mail art traders out there, and I do believe that we help keeping the postal system going! Getting a piece of real mail in the box every once in a while is amazing, and having a piece of original art in the envelope is even better! Oh, I don't know if it says more about my age, or about the country where I live, but I actually learned how to properly write letters, addressing envelopes, writing in cursive etc in school... I hope they still do that somewhere!
Dear Morgan Library and Museum, I have dearly enjoyed Rajiv Surendra as he sang "Loch Lomand" in the first video, and talked about the many letters and writings you have in your library!! and now in this 2nd video, I am now watching! He is so interesting and I do truly feel inspired to write with his influence!! aloha, mililani kiesling :-)
How about starting a letter writing group? I would love to write letters to other like minded individuals and get to know people through the written word. Just a thought. I really enjoy watching your videos. You are a treasure!
I have recently fallen down a path, a path of finding love and appreciation for the archaic-turned-esoteric. I just discovered the contents this man makes and I am wonderfully engaged and learning a lot!
Rajiv, I've commented before in a previous video, so I'll make it short. You are endearing to me because of your charm, your singing and the room in which you live. I would love to share tea with you someday - from one letter writer to another. May I suggest a few changes? One: replace the plastic box of stationery (plastic is strikingly out-of-place) with a wooden box, perhaps one to match the beautiful dark pillars of your bed. Second: instead of a flimsy envelope, why not a stamp album or book, to organize and display your assortment of stamps. ~ All the best and continue the art
Grateful to TH-cam for suggesting this video. Brilliant and touching. I have many fond memories of learning from my grandfather how to write letters. His handwriting was just perfect, and I always tried to mimic him. He made me write letters as a little girl to my relatives, sometimes he dictated to me what to write, sometimes he would wait and let me take the wheel. This was in the 80s! You made me re-consider this lost hobby and art...may be I will do it tomorrow :-)
Am I the only person memorized by the quiet flutter of the curtains behind this wonderful man?
no you are not alone! Im right there with you :)
The whole set up takes me back to another time
Cotton lace, he said in a previous video. It’s very hard to find. Beautiful!
Nope, I’m mezerized too. The whole video is beautiful! But those curtains!
Hardly!
I want this to be an ongoing series!
Yes please. Does this lovely human have a film channel? Anyone please?
He should have his own channel, he's just wonderful 🙂
Please can he teach us calligraphy?
@@bluewaterpines2santarosabe398
Instagram _( his name )_ of course
but not his own TH-cam channel that I could find
Yessss! 🙌
Does anybody else feel like being his friend would be so exciting? He is so precious! 😭❤️
Yes absolutely I would love to get a letter from him
Yes, yes, yes!,😊
He is one of my favorite humans alive and I haven't even met him. Also, I've only stumbled upon his work today. Oh, how one eccentric soul knows another. Gotta go write a letter now, bye.
Oh, I agree, I'm also totally taken!
Absolutely! Yes to quirky fun eccentric souls!!!
Exactly!!!
Same here. I was meant to find him 😩🙏❤️
This man's best friend has to be the luckiest person on Earth!
This video could also be called: “Rajiv subtly flexing his stationary supplies for 20 minutes straight”
This is hilarious.
I love that he is singing irish songs when entering and I adore that he adds lots of cream to his coffee/tea and I admire his beautiful china cup and saucer and the ROOM is just amazing. The curtains, the bed, the flowers, the pots, and the top of that desk... everything. What a charming life and man.
My goodness you have just snuggled up to me like an adorable puppy on a cold 🌙 night. You would make a great 'Mr Roger's' for the new igen!
He's singing Jeanie with the Light Brown hair, an American parlor song from mid 19th century
@@janed4727 I thank you for the correction.
Beautiful China cup and saucer is Pink lusterware. So pretty.
❌ Hi everyone. This is Rajiv Surendra, and he's got a WONDERFUL TH-cam channel you may want to subscribe to. Everything he does, and say is so kind and classy. I'm binge watching all of his shows. He's a regular on the Drew Barrymore's show as well - You may want to look him up!!! I've learned so many interesting things from him. Cheerios!!! 🌼❌
I am enthralled with this man, he kept me interested in letters. IN LETTERS.
Dear Rajiv,
I’m sitting in my living room, it’s almost 1am. How did I come to watch this? Well, lo and behold my very clever You Tube recommended feed seems to notice I’ve watch calligraphy lessons in the recent past and sends me similar videos. How great that it recommended you! I have letters that are over a hundred years old. I rescued them from my grandparents house after their passing, along with my own child letters they had kept from me. I got to see my child handwriting again. They had kept it. I’d like to write to my grandparents again. I really would. But they have been gone since 92 and 2005. I miss them a lot. I work on genealogy for my family and there are many things they could easily answer if only they were here. I will try and think of someone else to write to. A friend, nephew, niece, the Concierge? (There’s no Concierge.) My own cat! I could read the letter aloud to my cat. That would be nice. Well, maybe. Thanks so much.
Megs
Dear Just Megs,
Would you like to be pen pals? I live in Colorado, USA. I used to write letters all the time to my grandfather who lived in the mountains where I was born. I miss him terribly. He had lovely cursive handwriting. I enjoyed this video so much and do miss correspondence with another person. Just thought I would ask.
Raisin
Dear /whoever reads this/,
I am looking for some new pan pals... Would someone here like to exchange some letters with me?
I love this art. It would also help me to learn English as I am from the Czech Republic
Thank you for every response!
Natalie
@@natalieklitschova7793 Dear Natálie,
I'd love to have you as a pen pal. My first language is English and I'm from the USA. I was born and (partially) raised in NYC, where I currently live! I hope to have a response from you.
Christiane
@@natalieklitschova7793 Dear Natálie,
I am also in search of a pen pal and would be delighted if you were willing to exchange letters with me! I am from Singapore, but I am studying in Hong Kong. I would love to make a friend from the Czech Republic, so I am eagerly waiting and hoping to hear back from you.
Nicole
@@nicole-sy6ch Dear Nicole,
I would love to exchange letters with you! I live in the USA in the state of Texas. I have not had much contact with any one outside of the country and would love to make an international friend:) I hope to hear back from you.
Briana
I am so taken with this, Rajiv Surendra is so charming and endearing. It would be wonderful to watch more of these little lessons.
Or anything lol
me three
I cannot tell you how much I appreciated your two videos on letter writing. I am 75 years old and have always been smitten by letters. When I open my mail box and find a hand written envelope my heart goes pitty-pat. I have been saving letters most of my life. My first letter was from my mother when I went to spend a few days with an aunt. I was six. I have all the letters from my first serious boyfriend. I have all the letters that I wrote to my parents and that they wrote to me when I went away to college. I have all the letters that my husband wrote to me while we were courting. I have lived many places in California and I have lived in Indonesia and Brasil. I have all the letters that my folks and I wrote to each other during that time. We moved back to the same state as my parents in 1980 so the letters stopped but soon there were letters to and from my children when they went away to college. These letters are neatly packed away awaiting the day that my granddaughters are interested in reading them.
What a lovely collection to hold dear!
I would love to have someone to write to I miss writing letters
@@Jayneisere04 wouldn’t that be lovely. We should see if there’s a way for us to correspond
@@HeidiSue60 yes it would be great to be able to start corresponding with you
@@HeidiSue60 if you want to I could give you my email address and we could go from there ??
The name of the Irish notebook paper is called "Aisling" and that means "a fairy dream" in Gaelic. Just a little bit of information that is absolutely adorable to add to all the other adorable things happening here :)
Why is he this precious? I wanna be his bestie
More, please. How charmingly civilized he is. Please present more on this topic by this lovely person. Thank you.
This young man can make even the most simple acts so interesting, serene and soothing. Ever since "meeting" him in his Ted presentation I can't have enough of him. He is so talented and yet so calm. He exudes elegance and class.
He is so delightful I could watch him all day. Doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. LoL. I would love for him to host an authentic decorating show. Nothing drama driven like most home shows. Just something quiet and calming yet interesting. Just like him.
Thank you so much for singing that song! My father sang that song to me everyday when I was little & called it my song. He died many years ago & this is the first time I've heard it since then. He was Irish American, by the way, & loved to sing! Anyway, Thank you!❤🌻❤🌻
th-cam.com/video/FtK3zk4Eum0/w-d-xo.html
Why is it not possible to tell you how gorgeous this performance is?
@@Songtextpoetin I know...words fail.
I will be 60 this year, and I have all the letters from my 5 dearest friends going back to our teenage years and beyond. They are so treasured by me.
I was a little girl in the 80s and still recall collecting writing paper and stamps and sending them to penpals around the world. It was always fun deciding which one to use, to suit the sendee. And then of course, receiving them sometimes with little gifts attached. It’s such a beautiful art form that we definitely as Rajiv says bring back for all the reasons he’s listed. I am actually a product of this, as my parents met as penpals.
The mailable notebook reminds me of back in college during summer break, some of us would send letters to each other written in left-over blue books from final exams. Several girls wrote a group letter while they were drinking in a bar, and the result (both content and worsening penmanship) was hilarious.
When I write a letter, I use a scrap piece of paper so that I can reformat, make a mistake etc. without freaking out. Then I copy it slowly in its final form on the nicer paper or postcard or whatever. I love these videos so much.
You’re not the only one. Thankfully!
Me too! 😃 I use a refill pad so I can draft my letters and keep them all in one place 🤭 it's extremely useful since I have more than one penpal so I can remember not to repeat myself or make sure not to jump the gun with my stories hahahah!
I draft an outline of my letters because I tend to do exactly what Rajiv advises against, which is not keeping my thoughts concise and running out of space at the bottom of the page. Lol
Dear Rajiv, thanks I just wrote a letter of condolence to my niece on the loss of her young son. And that in Serbian after having been out of the country for 67 years. My 5 year old grandson wants to write a letter to his 5 year old girlfriend.
I am a dental hygienist and at the end of appointments we would ask people to fill out a postcard for their six month reminders and ask them to address it to themselves. I was literally dumbfounded at how many people did not even know how to address a postcard to themselves. They had not been taught how to properly write an address. I’m talking like 50% of the people between the ages of 16 and 30 could not do it. When my children were young I would have them sit down after the holidays and write thank you notes to aunts , grandparents , whoever , for their Christmas gifts, something that is not done anymore which is a crime.I had them address the envelopes with the return address as well put a stamp on it and put it in the mail so that they would actually know how to do this, my children are in their late 20s now. I had no idea what a service I was doing them by teaching them to do this. In my book if I give you a gift and don’t receive some sort of thank you , whether it’s a note, text Or email there will be no other gifts coming from me. Parents are majorly slacking on their jobs when they do not demand that a child show appreciation for gifts even if it is to their grandparents.
I totally agree!!!!!! A very valuable lesson to learn for life.
My mom passed away a little over three years ago… the other day while decluttering I found a letter she wrote to me many years ago…. What a meaningful treasure it is to have the paper with her chosen and written words reflecting her personality and her care for me.
Thank you Rajiv for your inspiring words… we can make a difference in someone’s life even with a short written note.
As a shy fifteen year old I used to write these heartfelt letters to an equally receptive eighteen year old unknown pen pal... Thirty years later we met and saw each other for the first time on Facebook! Both on two extreme ends of the globe! Such is the impressionable power of letters!
Cheers to Rajeev! May his tribe increase ❤
I remember when you received a letter from someone, and you might have read and re-read it many times, cherishing it. Emails and texts are disposable, I still have notes, cards, and letters people wrote to me years ago. It’s just more special, because it’s their handwriting.
Where can I find more of him? I’m obsessed! 😪😅
He provides a tour of his apartment via HGTV Handmade that I found today on TH-cam. It’s so good!
Isn't he just a darling? His apartment tour is amazing. He's given me inspiration for life, "I just do what I like."
IKR! I am obsessed with videos of him! Wow
I can't believe he is teaching the format of how to write an address on an envelope. But amazingly, there seems to be at least two generations that were never taught how to this. Thank God people like him exist! Beautiful hand calligraphy!
Texting and emails have eliminated letter writing, I recently started sponsoring a child in Africa and letter writing is encouraged. I began the first one and I was STUCK! It had been years since I wrote a letter. The second one came much easier. I have tried to encourage my 11 year old to write letters to family during summer break. She said " a what?" Lol. So, I appreciate this video because I can use it as reference, I just didnt make this up, as our kids often tend to think. Btw the stamps are fun!!
A teacher in my town inspired her class to become penpals with some of the residents in the retirement community where I work, in the same town. It is a rip-roaring success! The kids & the residents love it.
How many times can I like this!
Love slow conversations about slow habits that bring us closer to feeling present. Thanks, Rajiv for your lesson and sweet candor.
It’s so true that letter writing is therapeutic. During the shutdowns I started a gratitude project where I set a goal to write 100 letters of gratitude to people places and events that shaped my life. It became 250 over 5 weeks. Most got sent. Some got burned. Some are stashed away so I can look back reflect on lessons that need to be remembered.
This duo of videos was so timely and inspirational. I will certainly be writing more letters!
Thank you!
What a lovely project you came up with....
I love this guy. He has the energy and enthusiasm of a child. He's full of life.
I read the other day that some of the younger generation cannot read cursive writing, let alone write it…my mind blown. How can this be? I love this sweet fellow so much. Thank you Morgan Library and Rajiv. I am inspired to write letters to ALL my family now and to try calligraphy again. ❤️
I don’t think they teach this anymore ,
This series, everything about it, is wonderful. And Rajiv the perfect presenter. More of both the series and Mr. Surendra please!
That mailable notebook was absolutely delightful 📔
Made by the Company Moleskin. 👍
@@mendyhand3895 I haven't been able to source these... can you provide a link?
Rajiv is a kindred spirit. I agree 100% that letter writing is becoming a lost art. I am a letter writer and I think it's important to put ink to paper when corresponding with friends and family. In today's digital world where many of us only send little texts or click emojis...there is more to communicating than a thumbs up or thumbs down. There is nothing more depressing that receiving an impersonal birthday greetings via text on Facebook. Rajiv... I appreciate your positive outlook on life. Keep up the wonderful presentations!
It is this type of sentimentalism and refinement that is sorely missing from today's modern world. I am glad that there are some out there who are still interested in this art, and that there are others willing to teach it.
I love that this video is not overly edited - the calmness of it is so soothing!
My aunt and send letters each month, sometimes with photos included. My aunt lives in Michigan and I’m in Florida. They came to visit March 2021 and it will be the last time I will see them as my aunt and uncle are very old. I will always have our memories and letters and for that I am thankful! Write letters, even if it is a short message. A handwritten letter is special these days. Thank you for the lovely video!
As he started to show how to address an envelope I was like, "we know this already", but then I remember that while I learned this in elementary school, they probably don't do it anymore.
I'm a Jehovah's Witness and we are writing letters since the pandemic started. I have probably written approximately 610 letters give or take. I love it. And I'm glad I found this.
I'm a fourth generation letter writer, and, when I go on holiday, I pre-print address labels, then I write postcards and send them all over.
This past summer, I sent over 350 postcards from Europe when I spent a month there.
I love writing and getting letters. It's so lovely to sit and write.
I knew I had seen this guy before. He was in Mean Girls!
He's right. Letters have a profound meaning to people.
I have been writing letters back and forth to the elderly woman next door. Her and her husband have been staying home because they have health complications. She loves my letters and I love hers. I am inspired to sit down and write her again, as I have been so busy with my infant son that I have not written her in a couple months.
Glad to have found this video, and rediscovered Rajiv Surendra.
Letter Writing is a lost art for most, but I still write letters to family a friend's in my chicken scratch. Thank you and I hope more people try to do the same.❤️
How pleased to find a part two. Delightful. Thank you kindly.
This man is fabulous!
Oh wow... I love your handwriting Rajiv!
When my family used to live in Portugal, Eastern Canada, and Brazil I used to wander as a child into interesting stores such as bookstores, stationery stores, little reminders gifting stores, and others. While my sisters would wander into clothing shops. Ha! Ha! I would always find interesting cardboard like envelopes, postcards, stamps, little thumb thimbles, and laces, beautifully decorated. Some were from Japan, China, Poland, France, and other cool places. I remember once I did find a beautiful painting like a postcard, I loved it so much that I send it to myself before we moved to the States, to our new address. By the time we arrived, we ran to the door where we had our boxes and looked into the mailbox. My postcard had arrived with extra markings from being in different mailing stations and an extra stamp for the zip code. We read it and laughed and ate cookies while our parents unpacked.
It wasn't until my sisters were older they appreciated the letters I had sent to them over time. Now we are teaching the art of writing letters and calligraphy to Lizzy, and Camila (my nieces), when my nephew gets older we will teach him too. I love the feel of leather journals, soft and textured paper and the sticky stamp as I add the sealant, and use my personalized stamp to give it an old-world feeling. ❤💙💜
I am just in love and fascinated with the floral arrangements and the curtains softly fluttering amongst his many talents in all of his videos ❤️ he is so fascinating all around
I wrote two letters today to my nephews, because of you Rajiv. Thank you for inspiring me.
I absolutely LOVE this young man! He is just such a delight to watch! From this beautiful room and his singing (I would have sworn that he is in a seaside town in Ireland), to his infectious love of writing & of letters that he shares with us throughout the video with such an honest & relaxed candor. I am going to look him up.. hopefully he has recorded more videos? On this channel or his own? If he doesn’t have any, and he sees this comment, please consider starting a channel, teaching calligraphy, letter writing, watercolor painting, or… hell, anything really. You have a fantastic natural ability to host and capture peoples attention.
I write letters often. Words of encouragement and a catch up on life’s events are always a good reason to write letters. I had pen pals as a child in China, America, France, Australia, Italy and even here in England. I love it. You can never say all you want in a text and email seems quite impersonal. It’s also very therapeutic 😊
Hello,
I live in Germany and would love to have a penpal again.
Are you interested?
Best regards
Gabriela
I love this series. Can we also see postcard writing and tips? I only learned about them having their own postage stamp a couple years ago.
I love postcards---used to send them all the time in my younger days!
I used to keep postage stamps handy. Now I’ll use regular letter stamps. When I traveled, I used to keep a list of people (and their addresses) to whom I would send a local postcard. There’s only room for 2-3 sentences on your travel experience. Less intimidating than a letter.
I LOVE this guy and everything about this video so much.
I am in love with writing letters too. There’s a certain feeling, that goes along with the letter, that you literally have to experience in order to understand. Thank you so much, for bringing this Art back to life.
But its also so exciting when you receive a letter back I miss writing letters
I would love and adore a letter from Rajiv! I am a letter writer from forever! My mother is a poet - she sends me letters and cards! My best friend writes me hand written letters and I save them all. Merci beaucoup,
thank you dear Rajiv
My grandmother, born in th e late 1880s, had correspondence with people all over the globe; she was a very special and wonderful human being :-). in her later years there was stationary, similar to the notebook letter you showed, to use as airmail letters...
I remember receiving letters, and it was exciting! I still have the letters from my childhood best friend who moved from the states to London. I have kept those letters for 45 years. As a result of these videos (Part 1 and 2), I bought some stationery yesterday and plan to write to family members this weekend. Thank you, Rajiv.
I love this. I could watch him talk about his passions all day. He really did inspire me to just stop the video and write a letter to someone. Love it!
You are quite an amazing person. I fell upon your site this morning and onto this one.
You have actually inspired me to write a letter. Some thing I never enjoy doing because my thoughts are faster than my pen and it takes me a couple of tries. There’s something about the way you take the time so carefully to write a letter that I think I missing. You and your treasures are quite amazing. Maybe someday we can meet for coffee. Looking forward to other videos.
👍⭐️😍I absolutely love him! He is so special. This was so real…I still write letters to people….I appreciate people who do. Thank you for making & sharing this video.🙏💝
My mom passed on her love of cards and letter writing to all of her 5 girls . One of my favorite cards is one from 1929 I found in an antique store . It has violets on the front and say's " To the Sweetest of Girls " . I turned it over and it said " Hello Ruby " 🥰 so of course I bought it .
Rajiv you can sing every time , I love it ! ❤❤🇨🇦
Exquisite soul! Honestly, I could listen to him all day. As a creative, as my fellow creatives will know, we 'get' each other - even when others do not.
That was a joy! Thanks!
I don't how to let you hear I'm clapping my hands when your video has finished.
I'm in my late fifties , so having penfriends was the easiest way to keep in touch with those ones who leaved far from you ;eventhough when your boyfriend had been sent to the military service.(Phone calls were too expensive)
You have brought into my mind all my Penfriends and the Shop where I usted to buy my papers and envelopes in different colours and textures
I'm shocked by the amazing skill you draw that lovely letters.
You have got the power to encourage people .
Greetings from Spain!!!
I have kept ALL my letters over the years ♡
I do write and have much stationary..love your ideas and wit!
Thank you Rajiv , your Spencerian writing is very beautiful . I appreciate your great knowledge in wring letters and the penmanship too.
This is exactly what my soul needed. Thank you.
OMG I also have the rivers and moon landing stamps!!! And I do love asking what stamps they have!
Thank you for this 2 part video Rajiv! Since watching them for the first time a couple of months ago I have written more than 20 letters, some to families, friends and some to clients thanking them for their business. I combine new with old since I write my draft on my computer, revise and make changes and when I feel like it’s to my liking I then transcript it to paper so there are no mistakes 😂
I even have a pen pal now, so thank you again for the video and for getting me back to writing. I enjoy it very much.
Keep it up! Letters are a gift. When I receive cards now, they are not even dated. So I save them, but won’t know when they are from. Also, the postmarks are far less likely to have a legible date.
@@flowersnyc isn't that lovely! I write the date somewhere on the back of the card just for my sake.
You are so adorable and precious! There are no coincidences. This video came at absolutely the right time. I happen to want to start writing letters to my family and you've been the start to push me to do it!
I rewatch this video already twice a month and I wonder how this isn't at a billion views already!?
Lovely person! Lovely video!
You are inspiring and encouraging- I am a letter writer- I write all the time- it was something that was important part of my upbringing. I have letters from my great-grandparents, grandparents and many many others- I keep them- I recognize who wrote them because I have learned to recognize their writing. I always consider who it is I'm writing to-which inspires me. Love the cool ideas!!! Write! Write! Write!!!
Thank you again! I hope you do continue this as a series! BTW I have a similar folder of those fabulous postage stamps for making the letters look even more special. Take a look at the Australian Post Office stamps they are particularly gorgeous! Ciao!
i love all of this. so much. rajiv is inspiring & funny & an incredible talent. thank you for shaing.
ive been apart from some good friends for a while now, i think ill write them.
I took a Spencerian cursive class with a master penman. Lovely to see him using an oblique nib holder. It truly is a lost art.
My dad would write; "It rained today." And that's it! Of course it rained, it rained everyday on the coast of Washington state! Oh, I loved those letters.
I am glad to see this post! I asked my close friend to join in and write letters! In this day of new technology, I feel people don’t want to write anymore! We are just use to pushing buttons for everything! I think we all forgot about the art of writing! Please keep encouraging people! It is a lovely skill.
In my grandson’s third grade class each student chooses a penpal of their choice (so fortunate he picked me) to correspond with for the entire year. I hope he is as excited to receive my letter as I am to receive his. Special treasured letters to pull out and reread and that always brighten my day.
I love writing letters! I flock to the paper section for special stationary and journals. We live in a world where people are losing the personal connection to each other and are selfish. During quarantine, I made a schedule of projects and hobbies to pursue including time to write a letter to someone each week, even random neighbors. Haven’t missed a week since lockdown! I think less of myself and my woes and more about what other people need. I look forward to it each week.
I miss having someone to write to I love writing letters and the excitement of receiving them
@@Jayneisere04 Sometimes we are at a lost as to who to write to. If you can't think of anyone, write bundle of letters to a nursing home (residents love receiving random notecards/drawings) or hand an encouraging letter or note to a nice cashier as you check out. Be careful about including personal information like your home address, live alone or not, etc.
Thank you that is a wonderful idea I will keep it in mind 😊
I get the same feeling watching this as when I watched Mr. Rogers’ opening growing up. There’s a sense of calm and order and beauty.
If you don't know who to write to or what to write, write a reflection to yourself or to your future self. I keep all my letters and read the letters like once every year. It's really amazing to see what I wrote years or months before and see what time has changed and what progress I've made. It's beautiful.
You're so talented, handsome, and creative. Thank you for the magical inspiration.
Wonderful! I am of a generation that learned proper letter formats when I took typing in school. I was taught handwriting by nuns. I love all things paper. It is sooo sad kids don’t learn cursive today. Rajiv, you’re a treasure! Keep the videos coming!
Wonderful! So glad to see the lost treasure of letter writing, using pen and paper, revived. You have inspired me. Thank you!
Somehow I was lucky enough for TH-cam to recommend the tour video of Rajiv's home, which, after seing that and becoming completely intrigued by this amazing human, I found this video... What an inspiration this man is!! He simply oozes quality and care and attention to detail and friendliness and class without even the teeniest hint of snobbery... He is a consummate gentleman, and I'm feeling so blessed to have discovered his videos and am inspired to write letters again...Lucky me & lucky us!!
We were taught to use indented lines for the address if a personal letter and the non- indented style for a business letter. Love the art of writing. I have a collection of pens and inks too. You are inspiring. Merci beaucoup
I have my first letter written from me to my grandmother. I was 2 years old. I'm now 70. I've always written letters. I now write two to three letters each week to my brother.
Beautiful handwriting, beautiful letter, beautiful man 🥰😍😍
Rajiv: As important as letters will always be, so are books. I feel compelled to write to you about my feelings when I read (in your book) about that beautiful elephant who remembered your uncle thirty years later. I just cannot take it either… thoughts of animals being forced into “servitude” (a fitting term) saddens me to no end. Animals should be happy and free! Rajiv, I feel their utter sadness and suffering in my soul. The only small solace comes to my heart when I realize that “yet they are safe”-away from those awful poachers- though, at the same time, they are certainly not free. 😢 I’m crying as I write this. Some hope is found in the work of people rescuing elephants and bringing them to sanctuaries, where they can be safe and happy and healthy. That is my prayer for all of the suffering animals in our world. Amen. ❤️
So happy I stumbled onto this video. I watch Rajiv Surendra channel on TH-cam. He is very inspiring.
How refreshing to simply watch, listen, enjoy and be totally utterly inspired, we have all lost the joy of letter writing sadly ! A wake up call for me and hopefully you too. Xthankyou
I have been trading mail art for 13-14 years, I usually include a little note (a great use for my stationary collection, which is actually running out...), but most importantly include a piece of art, that I've made, and that I'm trading with a person in another part of the world. It's a wonderful community of mail art traders out there, and I do believe that we help keeping the postal system going! Getting a piece of real mail in the box every once in a while is amazing, and having a piece of original art in the envelope is even better!
Oh, I don't know if it says more about my age, or about the country where I live, but I actually learned how to properly write letters, addressing envelopes, writing in cursive etc in school... I hope they still do that somewhere!
Yep. I'm inspired. Lovely instruction!
Dear Morgan Library and Museum, I have dearly enjoyed Rajiv Surendra as he sang "Loch Lomand" in the first video, and talked about the many letters and writings you have in your library!! and now in this 2nd video, I am now watching! He is so interesting and I do truly feel inspired to write with his influence!! aloha, mililani kiesling :-)
How about starting a letter writing group? I would love to write letters to other like minded individuals and get to know people through the written word. Just a thought. I really enjoy watching your videos. You are a treasure!
I have recently fallen down a path, a path of finding love and appreciation for the archaic-turned-esoteric. I just discovered the contents this man makes and I am wonderfully engaged and learning a lot!
Rajiv, I've commented before in a previous video, so I'll make it short. You are endearing to me because of your charm, your singing and the room in which you live. I would love to share tea with you someday - from one letter writer to another. May I suggest a few changes? One: replace the plastic box of stationery (plastic is strikingly out-of-place) with a wooden box, perhaps one to match the beautiful dark pillars of your bed.
Second: instead of a flimsy envelope, why not a stamp album or book, to organize and display your assortment of stamps. ~ All the best and continue the art
I first watched a video about your home. But this is awesome. The atmosphere is so calm and elegant.
Grateful to TH-cam for suggesting this video. Brilliant and touching. I have many fond memories of learning from my grandfather how to write letters. His handwriting was just perfect, and I always tried to mimic him. He made me write letters as a little girl to my relatives, sometimes he dictated to me what to write, sometimes he would wait and let me take the wheel. This was in the 80s! You made me re-consider this lost hobby and art...may be I will do it tomorrow :-)
You have an old soul. I'm glad I found this channel
There is something very appealing about a young bloke like Rajiv diving into old world charm to revive finer aspects of living in an unhurried way.