I gave my 7th and 8th class students a project to write a piece about their personal lives in India. Since everything in India is about competition (which really makes sense as there are so many people), I told the students that the best essays would be submitted for publication in an American newspaper. I chose three pieces to send to my city newspaper, and about a week ago they were published. My dad is sending copies to me in India, so I can present them to the students during the morning assembly.Here is the first winning essay about an Indian marriage ceremony.
A North-Indian Marriage
By Arpit Awasthi (the boy in the photo)
By Arpit Awasthi (the boy in the photo)
In India, most of the marriages are arranged marriages. An Indian marriage is different in different parts of the country. I have written about a North-Indian marriage.
Conversation Between a Boy and a Girl Before the Marriage
Ayush: What are your hobbies?
Anu: Cooking and designing clothes.
Arush: Which college do you attend? What are your studies?
Anu: D. A.V College. My subjects are Hindi, math, and history
Ayush: (shyly) What are your expectations from a husband?
Anu: He should be loving, caring, and understanding.
Ayush: One last but very important question. Being the only son, I’ll always stay with my parents. Can you adjust to the family?
Anu: Yes, sure.
Anu: Cooking and designing clothes.
Arush: Which college do you attend? What are your studies?
Anu: D. A.V College. My subjects are Hindi, math, and history
Ayush: (shyly) What are your expectations from a husband?
Anu: He should be loving, caring, and understanding.
Ayush: One last but very important question. Being the only son, I’ll always stay with my parents. Can you adjust to the family?
Anu: Yes, sure.
The Engagement
The engagement is the first ceremony in India done by the couple together. In this, the bride and bridegroom exchange rings. This ring is the symbol of love between them. And after that there is a reception where we can have a chestful of food. People give gifts to the couple and wish them a happy married life.
The engagement is the first ceremony in India done by the couple together. In this, the bride and bridegroom exchange rings. This ring is the symbol of love between them. And after that there is a reception where we can have a chestful of food. People give gifts to the couple and wish them a happy married life.
Wedding: Arrival of the Bridegroom
After selecting a good Muhurat (time) by the priest, the date for the wedding is fixed. The bridegroom, sitting on a horse, comes to the bride’s house. On the way to the bride’s house, all the friends and relatives are dancing. When they reach the bride’s house, there is a grand welcome from the bride’s side. The bridegroom and his family are provided with gifts and the others are given packets of sweets. The bridegroom is presented with a garland made up of Indian notes. All are happy and the music there is so cheerful that everyone would like to dance.
After selecting a good Muhurat (time) by the priest, the date for the wedding is fixed. The bridegroom, sitting on a horse, comes to the bride’s house. On the way to the bride’s house, all the friends and relatives are dancing. When they reach the bride’s house, there is a grand welcome from the bride’s side. The bridegroom and his family are provided with gifts and the others are given packets of sweets. The bridegroom is presented with a garland made up of Indian notes. All are happy and the music there is so cheerful that everyone would like to dance.
Beginning of the Marriage: "Saat-phere"
A cloth known as a "chunni" is tied to the bride and groom in such a way that they are joined. This cloth is tied to each of them by the bride’s sister-in-law. Then they take seven rounds around the burning flame and while taking the rounds they promise to each other that they will be together for 7 births. The Pandit (priest) is also performing all the rituals and reading all the important Sanskrit slokas so that both of them can lead happy and prosperous married lives.
A cloth known as a "chunni" is tied to the bride and groom in such a way that they are joined. This cloth is tied to each of them by the bride’s sister-in-law. Then they take seven rounds around the burning flame and while taking the rounds they promise to each other that they will be together for 7 births. The Pandit (priest) is also performing all the rituals and reading all the important Sanskrit slokas so that both of them can lead happy and prosperous married lives.
Putting of "Sindur"
While performing the marriage rituals, putting "sindur" is very important. Sindur is red colored powder that a husband puts on his wife’s forehead, on her hairline. Now, according to the custom, the wife should daily put the sindur on her head. The husband also puts a chain called a "mangla sutra" on his wife’s neck. The wife is supposed to wear the mangla sutra every day as the mangla sutra is a symbol of love between a husband and a wife.
While performing the marriage rituals, putting "sindur" is very important. Sindur is red colored powder that a husband puts on his wife’s forehead, on her hairline. Now, according to the custom, the wife should daily put the sindur on her head. The husband also puts a chain called a "mangla sutra" on his wife’s neck. The wife is supposed to wear the mangla sutra every day as the mangla sutra is a symbol of love between a husband and a wife.
Putting of the Garland
There is one garland putting ceremony in which both of them put garlands on each other. This is one of the funny things. The bridegroom’s friends encourage him to raise his chest so that the bride finds it difficult to put on the garland. The bride’s relatives then will tell her to jump and put the garland on, but she will not. Then, in order to help his sister, the bride’s brother comes and picks up his sister and thus the garland is placed.
There is one garland putting ceremony in which both of them put garlands on each other. This is one of the funny things. The bridegroom’s friends encourage him to raise his chest so that the bride finds it difficult to put on the garland. The bride’s relatives then will tell her to jump and put the garland on, but she will not. Then, in order to help his sister, the bride’s brother comes and picks up his sister and thus the garland is placed.
Stealing of Shoes
There is one more funny custom in an Indian marriage. The bride’s sister steals away the bridegroom’s shoes and asks him to pay for the return of the shoes. The sister will try to take a large amount for the shoes. This is known as the Juta Churai. Juta means shoes and Churai means to steal. And at last the bridegroom agrees to pay the demanded money and the money is distributed among the sisters. They get their payment for their hard work, because it is not easy to steal away the shoes, since their rival is always aware!
There is one more funny custom in an Indian marriage. The bride’s sister steals away the bridegroom’s shoes and asks him to pay for the return of the shoes. The sister will try to take a large amount for the shoes. This is known as the Juta Churai. Juta means shoes and Churai means to steal. And at last the bridegroom agrees to pay the demanded money and the money is distributed among the sisters. They get their payment for their hard work, because it is not easy to steal away the shoes, since their rival is always aware!
Leaving of the Bride: "Vidai"
Now comes a time full of grief when everyone in the bride’s house is unhappy, especially the father and mother. Even the bride does not like to leave her parents, but now she is married and she has to go with her husband. The bride will be continuously crying and will not agree to leave her father’s house, and then the bride’s brother with come and pick her up. Then he will take her near her husband and then she will settle down in the car and leave to her husband’s house.
Now comes a time full of grief when everyone in the bride’s house is unhappy, especially the father and mother. Even the bride does not like to leave her parents, but now she is married and she has to go with her husband. The bride will be continuously crying and will not agree to leave her father’s house, and then the bride’s brother with come and pick her up. Then he will take her near her husband and then she will settle down in the car and leave to her husband’s house.
Scene at the Bridegroom’s House: "Swagath"
The bride is welcomed at the bridegroom’s house as a new member in their family and the mother-in-law welcomes the bride at the door. Now her husband becomes her god and she has to live with him throughout her life. She has to make the husband happy and take care of her father-in-law and mother-in-law. And thus comes the end of the marriage ceremony.
The bride is welcomed at the bridegroom’s house as a new member in their family and the mother-in-law welcomes the bride at the door. Now her husband becomes her god and she has to live with him throughout her life. She has to make the husband happy and take care of her father-in-law and mother-in-law. And thus comes the end of the marriage ceremony.
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