Moved from India to Sweden by bicycle for love! According to tribals, marry a foreigner, then…

This story is more cinematic than a movie. The question arises in everyone’s mind, is it true or not? Only the pull of love can really move forward beyond all obstacles? Can you leave India and cross Sweden by relying only on bicycles?

The hero of this story is an Indian. Name Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia (Pradyumna Kumar Mahanandia). Born in 1949 in Angul district of Odisha. Growing up in a poor family, Mahanandia was fond of drawing since childhood. But he belonged to the Dalit community, so he was often discriminated against in schools and neighborhoods. When he returned home injured, his mother would only give him hope. Looking at his hand, he used to say that his son is destined to have a beautiful woman from a far country, with whom all the troubles of life will disappear only if he marries her.

Many years have passed since then. Pradyuman, who studied at the College of Art in Delhi, made a living by drawing people’s portraits in just ten minutes sitting in the capital’s Connaught Place. His drawing hand is so good that he became popular in a short time. In December 1975, Charlotte von Schedvin, a young woman from Sweden, came to visit India and came to Connaught Place.

Go to Mahanandia to get your portrait painted. Charlotte was so impressed at the first meeting that she returned again and again. And love developed from there. The car of love rushes forward. They got married in a tribal way in their village of Mahanandia in Odisha.

But life is not a dream. All the responsibilities were waiting for both of them. Pradyumna’s studies remained, Charlotte also had to return to the family. For the next year, their love was only limited by letters. Finally, in January 1977, Mahanandia sold everything and bought a second-hand bicycle. Then started the long journey to Sweden.

He crossed several countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey one by one by cycling. He used to arrange food, accommodation and money by painting his face while traveling. After a difficult journey of several months, Mahanandia reached Sweden and reunited with Charlotte.

Their red-blue new family started there. They gave birth to two children. Pradyuman became known as an established artist in Sweden. Books have been written about their love story, documentaries have also been made.