Indian Marriage is one of the most ambiguous things in the world. It is a kind of Rocket Science which older or elder people understand the best. It is of three types namely Love Marriage,
Arranged Marriage and, Arranged-Love Marriage. Some prefer Love Marriage (particularly the youngsters), while some like to have it arranged, with the consensus and support of elder ones in the family. When elders in the family approve the loving couples, then the marriage becomes Arranged-Love Marriage. The elders in the family say that arranged-marriage is more complex and time-consuming as they have to search a suitable Bride or Groom within their caste, matching the (unmatchable)Kundli, verify the character by giving them a character certificate, if "aal is well" then they move on fixing dowry and so on... But the youngsters claim their method more time-consuming as they have to wait for years to fall in love, then date for a while Exchanging Gifts and other things to avoid Break-up and then years again to satisfy their parents so that marriage can happen smoothly.
Getting married not only require the desire but also a substantial amount of capital. The burden of money mainly resides on the bride's side which is the root of many problems. On one hand, we cry on the incidence of female foeticide which is disturbing the sex-ratio while on the other hand, we don't bat an eye when we see dowry deal gets done. Those who have enough money or land manage to give dowry but the have-nots, due to the social pressure, take a loan and fall into the interest trap and have to give compound interests his entire life.
Girls are more emotional and touchy about marriage which is probably the most important event in her life. They do 16 consecutive Monday fasts to get an ideal partner of her choice. They spend months in selecting sarees, Lehnga-choli, Bangles, jewellery items and other things (which I don't have enough knowledge) for Marriage. Their life is influenced by the marriage the most as they have to pack up from their home and shift to a new home which they have no or little knowledge about.
A scenery of a typical Indian marriage:
During the marriage, the Bride and Groom are the real rockstars. Everyone watches them like never before. The attitude of the groom's side is like they are doing a favour to the Bride's side which creates an inferiority complex among the people in the bride's side. They are ready to forgive and forget the hot words of the people on the groom's side. But sometimes the Bride's side becomes aggressive resulting in clashes between them. The guest eats the Khana (the Meals) which is a very important thing in any Indian Marriage. The meals have to be delicious and its the rule ( a foreigner eating that meal will find it too spicy though). Some members especially from the groom's side despite eating too much of that meal passes dirty comments on it which embarrass the bride's Family. “These are the product of alcoholism” is the expression of the bride's side which every member keep repeating, but lastly the marriage happens!
Marriage is a very important stage in a man's or a woman's life. It is more than just an event which should be done smoothly without havocs (mainly by the groom's side). There is a very important position coming afterwards full of responsibility which you cannot bail out.
Someone reminded me that “you missed one of the most important part in any indian marriage which is Khana”
ReplyDeleteI agree with him completely...