ಕಲ್ಯಾணமாம் ……… कल्याணம்

 

ಕಲ್ಯಾணமாம் ……… कल्याணம்  

Curiosity mounts as two millennial weddings in the family are about to happen. Fertile imagination goes into overdrive .Perceptions are formed about the specialty and scale of celebrations.

 Indian society is changing rapidly and so is the convention of marriage. Till about a decade ago, this was trapped in societal standards; decisions were taken by the elders of the family alone. With “Inter-cultural” Marriage coming into existence there is a radical shift in the way this union is regarded, The surge in such marriages   can be attributed to higher educational achievements, intellectual thinking, exposure to outside world and economic freedom.

When the bride and groom come from different cultures or different regions, the Great Indian Wedding is bespangled with unexpected pomp & surprises

When both sets of parents/elders are perfectly okay with the idea, only one question remains: What kind of wedding would it be?

Immediately, the families swing into action. They will not not let go of any opportunity to make the wedding a perfectly lavish cross-cultural affair.

The fun of mixing two cultures continues even after the wedding.

 Dreams come true only when you firmly believe in them and work towards making them a reality.

There are weddings and then there are Indian weddings, and it makes hell of lot of a difference when you get to be the part of them. Indian weddings are so much cooler and trendier than any other wedding these days, A modern wedding in India is the best bet to relish the finest of the country and guess what; the joyfulness is intoxicating & contagious! 

Ultimately, the wedding ceremonies are split into two beautiful parts:

 what matters most is the enthusiasm with which they take part in each other’s joy and ………….the craziness.

Even normal, sedate Indian weddings are characterized by elaborate rituals and chaos. Bring in rites and rituals from two different communities/cultures , a dash of  holly,bolly,kolly,molly,sandal  or whatever wood  bhav and  you have a heady concoction of  breathtaking  merriment You will encounter some or the other  creative/ crazy custom  at  all weddings these days.

In a cross-cultural wedding, both the sides not only want to give importance to their own rituals and customs but  strive to showcase them in the best possible manner .And thus the marriage is arranged in such a way that  either tradition is followed..  This leads to a long and elaborate celebration.  The bride and the groom immerse themselves in the resplendence and have the privilege to feel special.

With such marriages becoming norm rather than exception, the big fat Indian wedding celebration has also evolved leaps and bounds.

Bhangra, Punjabi Dhol, the Haldi, Mehndi and Sangeet events have become common denominator with all Indian weddings. Unique Tambram rituals like Oonjal, Kasi yaatirai, Maalai Mattrudal, the elegant Madisaru & panjakachham, Bengali ooli , the Gujarathi pokhnu, Panchavadyam /chende percussions from Kerala are on verge of attaining the same status.

.  People from other cultures often find them amusing.

 Such marriages are an ode to the cultural mix. Familial ties discern no boundaries and no barriers. Weddings are believed to be the best occasions to understand the diversity our country  has to offer. Every culture has some unique and bizarre rituals besides a different set of   traditions and rituals. Barge into any millennial wedding & connoisseurs are assured a blast and Grand stand view of various cultures besides a Pan India Food tour.

Well, the two weddings in Namba family are done and dusted but the hangover lingers on. After trying hard to pick something distinctly different  about  the celebrations   , I have  come to the conclusion that the electrifying role played by our own Master of ceremonies, compère , quiz master, anchor person, photographer par excellence   and the  “ saapat ” as dear nephew would have it , will ever remain in my memory.

My pre wedding perceptions of the type and scale of revelry have not only been annihilated but have proved to be utterly antiquated  .

Thanks  Pranav &Gowri , Akash & Kanupriya for providing a rip-roaring fortnight  of colourful pageantry in what is  otherwise a monotonous, stodgy routine.

                                                                                             

                                                             

          ब्याव             ಮದುವೆ              கல்யாணம்       വിവാഹം