Dum Dum Dum - PART II

..... the wedding saga continues

27-11-07

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This was the day before the marriage. As per Tamil Hindu Brahmin rituals, the day before the marriage, the bride and bridegroom are cleansed, so that they could handed over to each other in the most pure form. This is known as "Vratham". The bride and groom need to fast until this ritual is completed. Also during this process a sacred yellow thread is tied around the wrists of both the bride and groom, after which they are not allowed to step outside the mandap. Kewl na?

Well, for start I woke up at 3:00 a.m. in the morning, as the vratham was supposed to start at 6:00 a.m. Santosh also woke up around the same time. This is when the first blow struck. Well, usually myself and Santosh plan things much in advance, so much so that we plan what to wear for the wedding. Err if you are mistaken we had planned what to wear at my sister's wedding. If you all think it is very easy, please hold on.

Well, our community is known for the different rituals we have in the same day. Each day we would have at least 2 different occasions when we would need to be dressed. So for each of the occasion we had planned what we were going to wear. On the Vratham day Santosh had planned to wear his blue "Provouge" shirt and his fav pair of Lee jeans. But guess what, I wasn't able to locate his fav pair of jeans. Santosh was very upset. My mom and dad immediately came to the rescue as they could not bear the sight of their "Mutha Mappillai" (first son-in-law) down and upset. And behold came a new "Jarigai Veshti". The blue Provouge shirt and the Veshti suited him pretty well. So all was settled now, but still I was upset that being the meticulous packer that I am, I forgot my hubby's fav pair of jeans. Che, "Shame on me". When we came back from the trip that is when I realised that my MIL had placed Santosh's jeans in my cup-board . Hmph !

During the vratham, there is a ritual wherein a mixture of pulses are kept in a tray and all "Sumangalis" are called upon to sprinkle some water on them. This is known as "Paligai Thelikarathu". Hmm...now this was the first time after getting married that I go to do this. I thanked Santosh silently for giving me such a status, as I have grown up seeing all the elders do this and have secretly longed for such occasions.

These pulses are kept aside until the marriage is over and on the day after the marriage when these pulses have started germinating, they are washed with water. This is known as "Paligai Karaikarathu".

Now the schedule of program for that day was Vratham, immediately followed by Engagement and then post lunch in the evening the reception. Now the bride i.e. Chinnu and me were extremely happy with this as it gives us loads of time to get ready for the reception.

Well generally these days, reception is the occasion that the bride can get dressed something in a modern attire. So instead of a Kanchipuram saree, it could be a ghagra-choli or a legenga or a designer saree. But Chinnu still stuck to the traditional Kanchipuram saree, with an idea that she could accessorise differently. (well I also did the same stuff for my marriage). With the ample time available in the schedule, myself and Chinnu had some big plans for the reception in terms of hair-do and makeup.

But, expect the unexpected ! The Vratham for the groom's side happened quite late, due to technical reasons (vathiyar was late) and hence the engagement was postponed to the evening. It had to start at 4:00 p.m. The reception was supposed to start by 7:00 p.m. But Chinnu turned out to be clever than I expected. She had roped in the "vathiyar" on her side and had requested him to complete the proceedings of the engagement by 4:45 p.m. so that leaves her with enough time to get ready for the reception. We were relieved.

But then if Chinnu had only 1.5 hours for getting ready, what will happen to my dressing up plans. If you ppl didn't get it, picture this: one make-up artist, 3 ladies to dress up, among them 1 being the bride, the other the bride's sister and mom. 1.5 hours is it possible? No way ! That's when my contingency planning came into picture, I thought if I could skip the engagement, then I would have enough time to get ready before Chinnu comes in. So I skipped the engagement and got ready in my designer blue saree and make-up. Chinnu came in promptly and she was ready in time.

In the meantime my mom came in started looking out for "a bag". Well let me tell you about the characteristic trait that has passed on from my mom to me through the DNA. We both have a habit of keeping very important things in a "very very very" safe place. Once we have done that job we usually forget where the place is. So here she is in the middle of the bride's room searching for a bag. Now I got really annoyed at her and asked her what did it contain. She looked back at me teary-eyed and said "paisa ma". Thats when we all realised the importance of the bag and frantic searches started. Myself, patti, periamma(eldest) and amma were the search party. After 30 minutes we all declared that the bag wasn't there in the room. Now I must admit my dad took it a bit cool and Chinnu, hats off to her, she also took it pretty cool. I started crying, then next in line grandma and then amma. I think my mom realised that now that the bag is gone, there is no point fretting over it and started getting ready. Though her face did give away her emotions ! But it was after the reception that we found that my mom had left the bag back home when she had gone there in the afternoon. Back to relief !

The reception dinner was pretty sumptuous with an amazing spread. Everyone enjoyed it and were in full praises. My dad was beaming ! The caterer (VCS) and my family has a long association. It all started with my SIL's wedding which was their first major venture and then my wedding and then Chinnu's. My dad is pretty consistent, the wedding hall, caterer, vathiyar were all retained from my wedding for Chinnu's, coz they were the best.

So, all in all an action packed day , so much action and masala fit to be a blockbuster ! Wat say ppl?

28-11-07
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Well, the D-day had arrived. Chinnumani was getting all decked up and I was helping her getting done. So after the "Kasi Yaathirai", the time had come for the garlanding. Well, this is a fun thing as the bride's and groom's uncles help the bride and groom garland each other. During this time the fun element comes to picture, so they also pull away the bride and groom so that each of them have a tough time garlanding.

Usually they lift the bride and groom on their shoulders . But we are talking about the heavy weights. Well Chinnu and Mr.Narayanan are on the healthier side, and uncles were also old, so Santosh and Sai pitched in and made sure that the fun element is not missed. Santosh was obviously on Chinnu's side and Sai gave his helping hand to the groom's side. Good fellas.

"Oonjal" was preceded with a heavy breakfast for all of us and then the wedding proceedings began. This one went on well with no glitch except for that the bride's sister was very emotional (he he he that's me). Somehow, watching my lil sis getting married and the groom taking her away from my mom's home was very very emotional. By the grace of Almighty things went on well and Chinnu officially became Mrs. Chinnu Narayanan.

So, you all thought that was it, nope guys............there is still "Nalungu"...... I think it wouldn't be fair if I don't dedicate one whole post to it......

So until next time Ciao..............................