Varalakshmi Vivaham

 The minute you read this title, you may ask why "Varalakshmi Vivaham", why not "Varalakshmi Marriage" or " Varalakshmi Vibogam" or something? Well! I just wanted the title to sound rhythmic with an alliteration introduced, the first choice failed this prospect while the second one sounded too grand for this story. Would you like to get introduced to Parashuram? If you wonder what he is. I usually don't give heroic introductions to people getting married if you would expect any, because they already have enough attention as soon as they get engaged as if they are the first of their kind in their breed to take this audacious attempt of getting married! To make it simple he is the  groom.

Parasuram was one from the surging population who went on to do MS in US and soon found work settling there after obtaining the prestigious green card and was entitled with a grand title of  honor “The NRI Mapillai”. Parasuram has flown back to India to get married unlike some who get married there abroad. Enough of him! Let me now introduce the marriage scenario! Like Political scenarios, in marriages too we have two parties. One the Bride’s side and other the Groom’s. Unlike political parties that oppose each other all the time, these two sides would opt or be compelled to go for a coalition.  But still the power struggle and negotiation is always a big part here too. Most of the time it's the Groom’s side that holds maximum seats , emerging as the majority and gaining the upper hand. Now you would question me on which side I represent ?Oh! I haven't given you a proper introduction of myself. I am the Brahmacharya Ashram! Well you don't agree to it? I am it even if u don't agree! You can't change the fact. I don't understand why people doubt my identity ,when I could talk, narrate, emote feelings like normal humans. And not to forget I do have a last name, not many people are bestowed with it to fill it in a form. If the Kaal Chakra(Time) could narrate the whole Mahabharata in Doordarshan Episodes and people could accept that, why can't I ? This is not Mahabharata narration but a Marriage montage. Sometimes both seem to have the same emotional trauma, power struggle, romance, random past stories to support the present facts etc., just that the intensity varies. While marriage misses out some negative emotions like war, vengeance for good. But I assure you random gossip will definitely be a part, if you are invited as an audience. Perhaps they are the only soles happy, enjoying more than the bride and groom who are busy performing rituals along with priests and other close families are busy preparing and hoisting the event. I ,being the Brahmacharya Ashram( Bachelorhood) can only narrate to you the events only till the Mangalsutra event after which I vanish bestowing the responsibility to my friend “the Grihastha Ashrama”. You can’t expect a narration of any drama masala after that from me. It's none of my business. Well! Now it's clear that I technically represent both the sides in marriage, but I am a little bent towards the Bride’s side as it is their responsibility to host the event. The groom’s side come like a guest as though they have no link to any happenings around, do nothing more than scrutinizing everything and swatting flies and demanding random impossible things. Well, I hope this brief preamble is enough to dive into the storyline.

I sometimes feel that I am the only uninvited guest of the lot attending every wedding to embark my grand climax. How weird is that? It's like attending your own funeral. You know you wouldn't have an impact on their life in a few hours and most of the attendees have been your acquaintance from the past , but still everybody seems to celebrate it grandly with no apprehension and you attend it with no choice left. Too bad. I saw Raju guy whose marriage I attended a month ago smiling like an idiot at everybody. I went to Kalyana Mantapa to meet Varalakshmi , the day before the grand day.  The sight of a sign board in the entrance decorated grandly showed “Varu weds Paru '' confused me. I ensured the address printed on the wedding card with the destination. Its the same place. All short names are confusing! Why can't they write the whole name? I slipped inside and glided to the kalyana stage without getting noticed. When I tried calling Paaru to have a private talk, everyone except him looked in my direction. Paaru in Tamil is to “look”. Varu means “come”. What more do you want in a sign board-name plate inviting you inside meaning ”Come in and look''. Looks like there is no need for a “Welcome” board.

Anyway it's too late to have a private talk with Paru. The Kalyana stage was too cumbersome and hasty. Now there was a grand hasty entry of the bride, in Pattu Podavai(Silk saree) with minimal makeup hurriedly done to maintain the timing of Muhurtham. To add more to the confusion, the smoke overpowered the place from the Yaga to everyone's dismay. The poor Paru, the guy who could not handle a slightest mist. After returning from the U.S, Paru had to endure a cloud of smog to become a married man. The smog misted his glasses which made him half blind, if wouldn't have Purohit ji uttered the mantra promptly , he would have garlanded the Purohit mistakenly instead of Varu. The dilemma and the chaos were too much for me to take, so I just wished him good luck from where I was and took a seat amidst the audience. Audience arena was in different josh altogether. For some it was like a family reunion, exchanging pleasantries, while  others enquired the absence of family members to those who attended the ceremony representing on their behalf. “Why are these people too inquisitive about the absent ones? Can’t they be grateful for the ones attending it? As if the food and other economic prospects would decline and go waste due to their absence. Already the crowd is overflowing.” I thought to myself and turned to the other side where some were keen on commenting on the bride and groom while others were already scrutinizing the jewels and ornaments the girl was wearing and estimating its worth. Another group were updating live commentary on the happenings of the stage on a phone. The other cracks were busy discussing politics, sports and various unwanted random talks. Two to three among the crowds sat immobile occasionally swinging their heads to the beats of Molam(drum) , singing along and counting the beats. While I was dawdling my time looking for a suitable place, a random person came up to people announcing to them that breakfast is being served. Most of the crowd vanished within a second relocating to the dining hall. After a while the commotion around me re-emerged. The Purohitji now announced that Mangalam(a song) can be sung. A great deal of musical folk gathered around the stage,  bumping into the Camera person , who in turn collided with the Video man. It took them a minute to realize what had happened and to regain the consciousness to take shots. There was a sudden silence, each one asking the other to start with the song. They were reminded about the time crisis as they have to move on. Suddenly two old ladies started different songs at the same time and stopped after hearing each other's voice. A woman sang and ended the song, then the kids were persuaded to sing by the oldies. An old woman led the choir. While one chirped like a frog, the others wandered through airs at their own will. One screamed at her own sweet will , at last coming out at a wrong place with a crook that spoilt the song. The song went never-ending, the Priest waited and pretended to enjoy it for some time and started his Mantra back after knowing it would be never ending. Nobody moved an inch. The rest remained focused on grabbing the next singing opportunity. Now it is my time to depart. The main moment of tying the Mangalsutra was right around the corner. The tension around the stage rose to its peak. One Panditji rose and chanted the Mantra as loud as he could. The crowd got a hint of what was to happen and rose from their chairs ready to throw the Akshada and flowers towards the bride and groom. The Nadaswara gang prepared themselves for the great mission. The close family surrounded the soon to be couple. Paaru’s Glasses were cleaned by this time to give a good view of what he had to do. He didn't want to take any chance now ,as the place became too crowded and any slip would be a big blunder. The Mangalsutra was handed to Paru with care. The photographers and videographers climbed up in the chairs and rose above the people to take a good shot of the event . As Paru tied the Mangalsutra around Varu’s neck ,the Purohit ji gestured to the Nadaswaram band briskly, the Nadhaswaram blow in the high chords the Thavil’s beat pierced the eardrums and the people now targeted and threw the Akshada and flowers right to the couple's head , some missed and hit the videographer’s hind head and shattered on ground without reaching the targeted destination. I wished the couple best of luck and now they are left to handle their own life ! I waved a good bye and vanished, ready to take on another marriage ceremony. Bye!!!!