If she is outspoken, he is cool. If she is social, he is more of an introvert. If she is a lover of classical Bengali music, Rabindranath and Sunil Ganguly, well, so is he.

So, no matter how different their opinions at times may be, Ratna Bhattacharya, who teaches Bengali at Ranchi Women?s College, and her husband Swapan, agree on most core matters at the end of the day. What, after all, can be more important than poetry and music, especially for a Bengali?

And at which Ratna herself is quite good at. Not just a voracious reader, she also writes well, with some of her short stories and poetry having been published too.

Her love for the literary extends to the stage as well, with her having performed at several stage shows.

With so much to her credit, if one expects a certain degree of pride in her achievements, it?s simply not there.

Very generously, she attributes her success to her family, specially her husband Swapan, who in turn attributes it all to her steadiness and determination.

?We have differences of opinion but that does not hamper our relationship. I am social and like intermingling with others, while he is an introvert. I am outspoken, while he is soft spoken. My temper is high, but he is a cool person,? Ratna said, very clearly defining out their individual characteristics.

No matter what the odds, they manage to hold things together. ?I do not understand how she remains so cool, even during troubled times, as I do get tensed. Maybe, it is this quality that helps her excel in so many forms of art, whether it be writing or embroidery,? Swapan adds, proudly.

And indeed, her open, outgoing nature has enabled her to explore so many new avenues, giving her an opportunity to speak her mind on various issues, whether on woman empowerment or history. Well read, socially aware, Ratna can hold forth on any of her favourite issues or writers, whether it?s on Tagore, Sunil Ganguly, Samresh Majumdar, Subho Das Gupta and poets like Shonkhu Ghosh and Shakti Chattopadhyay.

While son Utsav is soft spoken like his father, he has also picked up many qualities from his mother. Multifaceted like her, he has learnt to play the tabla, chess, table-tennis and cricket. Daughter Bedotroyee, however, candidly admits to being more scared of her mother, than her father.

Even her friends get scolded by Ratna if they gossip too long on the phone with her. But that?s for their own good, Ratna explains.

?I feel that children should be guided and if I am strict, it is for their benefit. My children?s friends are also like my own children, and they should be shown the right path if they are wrong. I do not like telephone gossips and that too during study hours,? the concerned mother in her says.

That does sound fair enough, specially when she says they always allow their children the freedom to think on their own, so as to develop their personalities.

Her priorities are very clear, as her husband points out. No matter how busy, the family comes first. ?She does not involve herself in any social programmes, for which she is always in demand, at the cost of her family,? he said, appreciative of the efforts she puts in towards the family.

Perfectly understanding of his wife?s special skills and need for space, as he understands the needs of his children.

?He understands our wants even before we express it,? said Utsav. That?s just the way all children like things to be!

Abhijeet Mukherjee