The whole nine yards...
I was never the kinds who was excited about marriage. Wedding? yes. Marriage? Not really.
I liked the kanjeevarams, the wedding invitation, demanding gifts, seeing half my batch at the wedding hall, the family gatherings, the make up, the bridal glow getting at beauty parlours, the idea of the yellai chaapaadu etc.
I wasn't a big fan of the smokey homams, the what seemed like hundred saree changes, the embarrassments during Nalangu, seeing my dad cry, me crying in front of guests, having my brother look me in the eye and ask me if I was alright, wearing the Ra-raaa like head ornaments, uttering Sanskrit that didn't make any sense to me, and of course the good byes.
Having gone through this, I often asked myself if I would do it again. Renewing vows that is. I didn't think I would survive another wedding. The standing, the sitting, the uncomfortable clothes, the countless namaskarams...
But I witnessed something a week ago. I witnessed a marriage. It was fun watching the "bride" get dressed, get shy. The strapping groom in his pattu veshti fervently uttering Sanskrit shlokas he fully understands. Together they performed all the rituals while maintaining a composure I wish I could have.
While I was running around greeting and taking care of guests and making excuses to be with my adorable niece, all the time hoping that my madisaar would stay in place and that guests notice my fancyily studded blouse that made braving Ranganathan street worth while, my 60 and 55 year old parents in law sat, stood, did namaskaarams and pradakshinaas, prayed, sought blessings and blessed us. Not a complaint nor sigh across their faces.
I don't remember watching the movie "The Whole Nine Yards", but this recent nine yard and panchagajam experience made sense to me.
I liked the kanjeevarams, the wedding invitation, demanding gifts, seeing half my batch at the wedding hall, the family gatherings, the make up, the bridal glow getting at beauty parlours, the idea of the yellai chaapaadu etc.
I wasn't a big fan of the smokey homams, the what seemed like hundred saree changes, the embarrassments during Nalangu, seeing my dad cry, me crying in front of guests, having my brother look me in the eye and ask me if I was alright, wearing the Ra-raaa like head ornaments, uttering Sanskrit that didn't make any sense to me, and of course the good byes.
Having gone through this, I often asked myself if I would do it again. Renewing vows that is. I didn't think I would survive another wedding. The standing, the sitting, the uncomfortable clothes, the countless namaskarams...
But I witnessed something a week ago. I witnessed a marriage. It was fun watching the "bride" get dressed, get shy. The strapping groom in his pattu veshti fervently uttering Sanskrit shlokas he fully understands. Together they performed all the rituals while maintaining a composure I wish I could have.
While I was running around greeting and taking care of guests and making excuses to be with my adorable niece, all the time hoping that my madisaar would stay in place and that guests notice my fancyily studded blouse that made braving Ranganathan street worth while, my 60 and 55 year old parents in law sat, stood, did namaskaarams and pradakshinaas, prayed, sought blessings and blessed us. Not a complaint nor sigh across their faces.
I don't remember watching the movie "The Whole Nine Yards", but this recent nine yard and panchagajam experience made sense to me.
posted by DSK at 4:58 AM
6 Comments:
Oh my own RA-Puram Jhumpa Lahiri! You've a beautiful way with words :).
You're right - this was a wedding which was fun to watch. Where there is no bride side/groom side, everyone team up to see an elder couple coming together to get remarried again. It was a great experience.
Even though we were the last ones to eat all the time, I'll still remember the food.
swami: That's true... I never thought about the bride-groom side drama at all.
The next time I go for a wedding, I will simply attend it, not be a part of it.
hey DV, Beautifully written.Enjoyed reading.
Yep, it was a wonderful experience for all of us, the wedding, the packing and unpacking, giftonalysis, tasting/re tatesting of bakshanams..
Nine hours in Nine yards.. thats my own story ... like Avai shanmugi kamal riding around chennai at 11 P with sukh.
Wondering why there is no mention of the small gift packet, the accidently slipped into baggage and is still undeclared. ;).
WW: Dear mother of all (my) excuses :P
Your story will indeed be another blogpost altogether. And the package was supposed to be a secret. Now that you've broken the secret, you don't get your share. Ha!
I loved what you have written. Never thought that a blog like yours does exists.
Nice! ;)
Lexa: Many thanks, do come by more often.
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