UMA WEDS MOHAN proudly proclaimed the floral decoration at the entrance of the marriage hall. The entire mantapam was decorated in glittering lights of green, yellow and blue. The doorway was adorned with Mavilai thoranam and flanked by plantain shoots on either side. The nadaswaram troupe was seated on a makeshift dais and was bandying out Vatapi Ganapatim. Cups of coffee and Rasna were being passed around among the seated audience. Little girls in pattu pavadais were seated at the entrance with tray loads of kalkandu, chandanam, kumkumam and flowers to greet the guests. There was an air of excitement even as mamis in madisar sashayed about the mantapam. It was almost time for the Muhurtam and every soul in the mantapam was waiting expectantly for the groom to arrive after the Kasi yatra.
Uma looked like a goddess, resplendent in her peacock blue-green saree. Pankajam and Sheshadri looked at her adoringly. Uma’s wedding was a big event for them. The last couple of days had been a little stressful for the couple. The wedding preparations had left them exhausted. Yesterday’s januvasam saw a throng of crowd they hadn’t anticipated. They thanked their stars for having been able to manage the event and said a silent prayer for the wedding to pass off without incident. One final act and their burden would be lightened…
The “oonjal” ceremony now over with all pomp and gaiety, it was time for the muhurtam. Even as Uma was whisked away by her grandmother and sister-in-law for being draped in the customary nine-yard saree, Pankajam and Sheshadri hurried inside to do one last check of all arrangements. Tambulam packets for the departing guests, the sweets for the wedding feast… There shouldn’t be any complaints from any quarters, Pankajam promised herself.
“Getti melam, getti melam” shouted the priest in a shrill voice. The Nadaswaram rose to a crescendo. Mohan tied the ‘thali’ around Uma’s neck, helped by his sister. Two drops of tears rolled down from the corner of Pankajam’s eyes. It was an emotional moment as she silently watched Uma being given away in marriage by her father. Sheshadri patted his wife reassuringly.
Wedding over, the guests had departed after the feast. It was time for the send-off. Uma and Mohan boarded the decorated car and left for his hometown, along with his family. The whole mantapam now wore a deserted look. A visibly relieved Uma’s father, Mr. Sekharan, happily sauntered upto Sheshadri and Pankajam and said: “The wedding arrangements were superb. You managed the guests wonderfully. We didn’t hear a single complaint from any quarters. Thank you so much.”
Pankajam and Sheshadri grinned broadly in delight. This husband and wife team were wedding contractors and Uma’s was their first wedding contract. They had managed it wonderfully!
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Glossary:
Mantapam Wedding hall
Mavilai Mango leaves
Thoranam Thoran
Nadaswaram South Indian equivalent of Shehnai
Pattu pavadai Silk lehenga
Kalkandu sugar candy
Chandanam Chandan
Kumkuman Kumkum
Mamis- elder ladies
Madisar traditional nine-yard saree
Muhurtam auspicious time
Kasi yatra traditional wedding rite
Januvasam wedding procession
Oonjal swing; swing ceremony
Tambulam Paan
Thali Mangalsutra
Close
Rutuja
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I'm pleasantly delighted to see you here
The contracting business in the South is actually booming, especially with NRI grooms and brides and weddings fixed in a couple of weeks. These contractors are a boon for the harried parents...So I made the contractors share a little parental tension and a few tears too hehe...
Mel
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Loved it! Yeah the contractors sure were more anxious than the parents...teary eyed and all....
Rutuja
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Hi Sooni
Glad you didn't miss the twist. I guess many people would have though. Thanks for reading this one.
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Arjun
Some contemplation there :-) Thanks for reading through.
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Shobana
I think many people missed the twist in the tail. Maybe the punch line was missing some punch hehe. Glad to know you liked it :-) Thanks.
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Pankajam and Sheshadri grinned broadly in delight. This husband and wife team were wedding contractors and Uma’s was their first wedding contract. They had managed it wonderfully!
A nice twist but almost missed it. Good going!!
Sooni
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Hmmm.. OK.. so this is the first part. Good,
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I almost missed the last punch line. Wondering why the story was flat before it hit me. Good going mel.
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Dr. Madhvi
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Thanks for reading both stories. Love your stamp of approval
Regards
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thats so cute and smart...loved it
madhvi
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