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Paruppu Tengai And An Intercultural Wedding
PARUPPU TENGAI AND AN INTERCULTURL WEDDING
We enjoyed the best of both worlds when an intercultural wedding was celebrated in the family a month ago . Fun and frolic , music and dance , flowers and lights , food and beverages dotted with various religious ceremonies kept both guests and hosts on toes .
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But in this wedding the Muhurtam was scheduled at 9.30 P.M. Hence we had lot of time for conducting the rituals at an enjoyable and leisurely pace. The bride and the groom seated on the shoulders of their respective uncles had a fun time exchanging garlands . The uncles helped the couple dodge each other amidst loud cheering of excited onlookers .
After the exchange of garlands the couple were made to sit on a decorated swing . Elderly ladies queued up to to feed the couple with banana slices mixed with milk . Red and yellow coloured rice balls were waved around the bride and groom and thrown on all the four directions to protect them from the negative effects of evil eyes .
The high pitched Oonjal songs specially composed for the occasion echoed all around . The groom's father surprised the crowd by singing a Carnatic Classical while the aunt presented an 'abhinayam' (expressing the essence of the lyrics in Bharatanatyam dance Style ) for the same.
Ladies aged from 8 to 80 danced around the bride and the groom for a 'Kummi' Song played by the Naadaswaram artist . The participants went round in circles dancing and clapping to the rhythm of the instrument . As the momentum caught up more and more ladies joined the fun .
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Finally with Fire God as witness and the full moon smiling from above , Saath Phere / Saptapadi - the most important ritual in a Hindu wedding which seals the wedding bond between the bride and the groom , was conducted !
The memories of the royal wedding celebrated in a dream land still lingers in my mind 💖!
The following text about Vilayaadal and Vilayaadal Saamaan is from the notes read out to the bride by the little girls in the family.
INTRODUCTION
Vilayaadal is a Tamil word literally meaning 'playing'. It is a fun filled social event which originated in olden times when children were married off at a very young age , the bride often younger than ten . Vilayaadal ritual was meant to serve as an ice breaker for the young couple as well as for their respective siblings. The child brides were presented with dolls , play things , grooming kits , clothes and accessories by the groom's sisters . The newly married couple were also made to play variety of competitive games with relatives on both sides joining as cheer leaders . The participants were also encouraged to display their singing and dancing talents.
In modern times marrying couples are no longer little kids . But the Vilayaadal ritual is retained in traditional weddings for the sheer fun and joy it brings to the wedding festivities. Many modern brides find it amusing to receive Barbie Dolls and toys as Vilayaadal gifts !
Here is a brief account of the Vilayaadal Saamaan presented to welcome the lovely Mumbai bride to our Bengaluru family. The assortment of artifacts representing the customary Vilayaadal items are hand picked from the four Southern States on behalf of all the little girls of our family .
MARAPPACHI DOLLS
These dolls are hand carved , out of Red Sanders , a valuable wood found in Andhra Pradesh .The paste of the wood has healing properties and is valued in indigenous medical systems.
The Marappachi pair represents Lakshmi and Vishnu or Raja Rani and occupy pride of place in the Navaratri Dolls Display ( Golu in Tamil , Gombe Habba in Kannada , Bommala Koluvu in Telugu ) organized in South Indian homes.
ROSEWOOD INLAY JEWEL BOX
An intricate handicraft of Karnataka , a state rich in forest wealth . Inlay work using various materials on rosewood base is a traditional craft perfected by the Gudigars ( artisans who carve wood ) of Karnataka . The craft was patronized by the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore Kingdom.
The elephant motif is very popular in the State and is seen in all possible arts and crafts . Karnataka is home to the largest population of Elephants in India.
SANDALWOOD JEWELLARY
Southern Karnataka is called Gandhada Gudi - The temple of Sandal Wood - as the forests are thick with Sandal Wood trees . Creating beautiful and fragrant artefacts out of the valuable wood is a traditional craft promoted by the former Kings and now by the Government of Karnataka.
Sandal wood bead malas and bracelets are choice pieces from our artisans.
CHANNAPATNA TOYS
The wooden toys and other articles made in Channapatna - THE TOY TOWN OF KARNATAKA - are G I Tagged. The products are hand turned , hand painted and finished with lacquer coating. They are light weight , and have a non toxic colouring. The craft was introduced in Channapatna 300 years ago and perfected with Japanese Techniques 100 years ago. The wood used is Ivory Wood , Cedar , Sycamore and Rubber Wood.
CHOPPU JAAMAAN ( SAAMAAN)
Toy Kitchen set made of wood are known as Choppu . Kitchen play sets are traditional toys gifted to little girls from times immemorial in all societies of the world.
These Choppu Jaamaan from Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu are both play things and collectibles. Colourful wooden Choppus are widely sold in Fairs , Pilgrimage centers and retro shops. All sets big or small are packed in hand woven palm leaf baskets called Olai Koodai.
COCONUT SHELL CRAFT OF KERALA
Kerala the land of coconut palms has a long tradition of using all parts of this palm - called Kalpavriksham - without wasting even a twig. The hard shells of the nut make very good cups and utensils , found in all traditional homes along the South West Coast . In present times too eco friendly essentials are being made with more refined finishing.
The Soup Bowls with spoons are from the rural artisans near Palakkad in Kerala .
METAL LAMPS
In India a lamp is regarded as a metaphor for Knowledge . No ritual is complete without lighting an oil lamp. Brass and Bronze lamps of high quality are produced in centuries old foundries of Swamimalai near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu . Kerala too has its own long tradition in casting Bronze lamps. In Karnataka , Nagamangala and Karkala have been traditional centers for metal casting by a process called Lost Wax Process.
Kuttuvilakku , Agal Vilakku , Paavai Vilakku , Koondu Vilakku , Kamakshi Vilakku are some of the traditional lamps cast in brass and bronze.
MYSORE SILK STOLE
The name Mysore Silk has justly become a byword for high quality soft silk . The innovative yarn twisting procedure introduced in the Mysore Kingdom during the 20th century beat back the Silk that was being imported from China. Local weavers who had already adopted Silk Worm breeding and Silk Yarn spinning during the middle of 18th century were trained to create the iconic MYSORE SILK. Ramanagaram continues to be the bulk producer of Silk since then.
KOBRI SAKKRE
This is a commonly prepared give away Prasadam in and around Mysore region. It is given to visitors on all happy occasions as a symbol of sharing joy. Dry coconut ( Kobri) , Sugar ( Sakkre ) , Roasted gram and Cardamom are ground together into a coarse powder and given to the guests in small packets along with the customary Tamboolam ( Betel leaves , betel nuts and coconut ).
For weddings beautiful motifs are carved on whole Kobris or made into decorative Kobri dolls to represent the bride and the groom .
Sugar dolls ( Sakkre Achchu ) have a special place in this ensemble . The Nandi Idol moulded with Roasted gram and jaggery complete the use of all the auspicious ingredients for the happy occasion.
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In olden days all traditional homes had skilled hands which were adept in making decorative Kobris and Sugar Dolls ( Sakkre Achchu). In modern times these beautiful edible artifacts are out sourced along with other wedding Sweets.
PARUPPU TENGAI
Paruppu Tengai is a cone shaped traditional sweet which has a prominent place in South Indian Weddings . Boondi , Manoharam , Coconut Burfi , Sugar or jaggery coated Cashew nuts , Peanuts , Roasted gram are some of the sweets used in the making of Paruppu Tengais . Sometimes colourful Cadbury candies are also used in preparing the cones. Any prepared Sweet at the finishing stage is poured into greased conical moulds and are allowed to cool down . The pair of Sweet Cones are said to represent Shiva and Shakti .
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The colourfully decorated Paruppu Tengais occupy the central position among other Seer Bakshanams presented to the groom's party during the wedding rituals .
I conclude this post with lots of blessings to the newly weds , who gave us an opportunity for the inter cultural bonding of two families , which will last for ever . Thank you family for encouraging me to write this memoir ! Special thanks to my sister who always stands by me in all my endeavours .
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