IshRa FF : MY BELOVED.... PART 6 : pg 21 7th Dec - Page 5

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Sita_kalyana_vaibogame

PART 2

The rays of the early Sun fell on the mirror through the window. Ishita sat straight in front of the dressing table and let the beauticians work on her face and hair according to their artistic skills. Her orange colour kancheevaram madisaar (nine-yard saree) was draped in the typical Iyer style. Mihika and Vandu were busy in arranging the gold ornaments on her neck according to their length and tied them with tiny golden threads so that they wont get misplaced.

A typical madisar model :

Vandu didn't forget to impart her advice, "Ishu, don't just throw your jewellery away ok? I know you will be busy and all..(she stressed. Mihika and Vandu exchanged looks and giggled)

Ishita : kya akkaa..kuch bhii..

Vandu : illa Ishu I was saying that you both will be alone in your apartment na.

Mihika : yeah, the Skyhill luxury apartment @ Lodhi Road!!

Vandu : Mihika shaadi Ishu ki ho rhi he. And you Ishu, Raman ko bol dena ye sab locker me rakhwaye. Koi bhi area ho crime-rates in Delhi is so high these days. And the gold rates I tell you..

Ishu : don't worry akka. I vl manage.

Mihika : looks like someone is in a hurry..

Ishita smiled weakly. Mihika checked the finishing touches of the jasmine flower on Ishu's hair.

Vandu : Ishu, you are happy right?

Ishita quickly replied "ofcourse akka. You know how many times I have dreamed of this day with John..

The moment Ishu uttered the word John, the whole room went quiet.

After a pause of a few seconds Vandu replied, "Its Raman, Ishita.. Just a few hours left and then you will be Raman's wife."

Ishita : I'm sorry akka. Its just..it takes time to get used to.

Mihika pressed her shoulder reassuringly. Ishita looked at Mihika. Her eyes spoke volumes. This life was not what she wanted but she was left with no choice. It was for her Appa that she agreed to marry any guy of his choice. Whoever it was didn't make much difference to her.

Raman was totally irritated by the fuss that was made early morning. First of all he had to get up at 3 to perform some puja. Then the Punjabi style haldi and baraat. The marriage was taking place in the Kalyana Mandap which is situated inside Uttara Guruvayur Temple in Mayur Vihar which is only a few kilometers away from their house. Well Raman had no wonder that he couldn't even remember the strange name of the place where he was supposed to get married. The horse stopped outside the temple, luckily others knew the place. Vandu took the aarti and led them in to wedding hall with traditional South Indian music. Bala came with a veshti to be worn by Raman.

Raman : ye kya he?

Bala : veshti..

Raman : aur shirt?

Bala smiled, "humare yeha kalyanam ke time shirt nhi pehente..

Raman : kamaal he kapdo me bhi paise bachate he..

Toshiji whispered to Mr. Bhalla "ye kya Bhallaji..humne to Raman ke liye 25000 ki sherwani li aur munda ab bina shirt ke hi shaadi karega! Kaise ajeeb log he ye.."

Bhalla : ohoo Toshiji..sabke alag rasme hoti he..

Bala continued, "to tum pehen loge.."

Raman : ha me to bachpan se yehi pehenta hu..

Bala controlled his smile and asked all the gents in general.

Bala :ap me se kisi ko ati he?

Everyone shook their head for a no. Bala looked at Raman who irritatingly signaled him to accompany him to the green room. The moment Raman left everyone had a good laughter.

Once Raman was dressed up it was time for Kaashi yatra. Raman so wanted to run away but Mr. Iyer suddenly fell on his feet and caught him off-guard. He immediately made him stand on his feet and ended his little prank.

Then it was time for the bride to make her entry. Looking graceful and beautiful as ever Ishita stepped into the platform where all the people were gathered. She walked towards him looking at the ground. There was no excitement in Raman to have a glimpse of his to-be wife and vice versa. The rituals for jaimala started according to the instructions from the pundits. They exchanged garlands as the siblings on either side had fun by picking up the groom and bride. Equally uninterested Ishita and Raman exchanged garlands.

Vandu took them with the ladies for oonjal (swing) where some of the ladies started singing

"sita kalyana vaibogame... rama kalyana vaibogame..

pavanaja stuti patra pavana charitra ravisoma pavanetra ramaniya gatra

bhakta jana paripala bharita sharajala bhukti muktida leela bhudeva pala

pamara surabhima paripurna kama shyama jagadabhi rama sakata dhama

sarva lokadhara samaraika dhIra garva manasa dura kanakagha dhIra

nigamagama vihara nirupama sharira nagadha vidhara nata lokadhara

parameshanuta gIta bhava jaladhipota tarani kula samjata tyagarajanuta"

Raman and Ishita not even once looked at each other while Vandu Mihika, Simmiji and Toshiji took turns to move the swing gently. They sat as far as possible from each other. After oonjal was the fertility rite, Palligai seeds sowing. Earthern pots prepared on the previous day are used where both the bride and groom sow nine kinds of presoaked cereals. After marriage the sprouts are released in the river.

Then was the ritual of Kannika daanam (kanya daan). Ishu sat on her father's lap and followed the instructions of the pundits carefully. By the end of the ritual, Simmi came with the exclusive red colour sari "koorai pattu" which was to be draped by Ishita at the sacred muhurtam. The pundits gave a piece of yellow string fastened around turmeric which was to be tied around each other's wrist. Only when the bride ties this thread is the groom allowed to touch her. Ishita tied the thread around Raman's wrist. As Raman tied the thread around her wrist he noticed the nanosecond when Ishita flinched at his minute touch and murmured, "nautanki" which was heard by Ishita. She gave him a murderous glare and he raised his brows not ready to give up.

Then at the auspicious muhurtham, Raman tied the "thaali" around her neck. Ishita closed her eyes and a lone drop of tear escaped her eyes as Raman tied the first knot. Vandu instructed Simmi to move forward and tie the rest of the two knots. Followed by that was the sapthapadi where Raman helped Ishita take the seven steps around the fire holding her right toe with his right hand. During each step Raman recited a mantra asking for Lord Vishnu's blessings. After the seven steps Raman gently placed Ishita's foot on a grinding stone kept on the right of the fire and slipped the silver rings(mettis) on her toes. The bride and groom are then made to witness the Pole star and Agni nakshatra that symbolizes devotion and virtue essential for a married couple. After performing various pujas much to the chagrin of Raman they were moved away from the fire. The bride and groom were asked to apply turmeric on each other's feet.

Simmi gawked at this awkwardly. She whispered to Toshi standing next to her, "dekho to mummy ji sab kuch hi ulta krte he ye log. Pati paav chhuta he pehle aur ab Shaadi ke baad haldi.." Toshiji giggled with her, careful that Mr. Bhalla won't hear them. Mihika came all excited for the rest of the ceremonies. She had a thaali full of pappads.

Raman commented, " chalo kuch to acha he in rasmo me. Subah se insaan bhuka pyasa he. Ab ye pappad hi sahi.."

Mihika moved the thaali away from his reach and placed right in the middle where Raman and Ishita were sitting facing each other.

Mihika : jiju..ye pappad khaane ke liye nhi he. Ek dusre ke sir pe maarne ke liye he

Raman : wow!! Yaar kya sahi rasme he na tumhare..pehle dulhe se kehte he Kaashi jao aur phir nhi bechara phas gaya to sir pe pappad maaro..oil dekha isme kitna he..ab ye saara coconut oil mere sir pe lagwana he..issey acha coconut oil ki bottle lao aur sir pe maaro

Mihika : matlab ap ye nhi karoge? This is not fair jiju..

Pammi aunty : oye puttar aj jee bharke maar le. Aj ek din hi mauka milega. Phir to zindagi bhar tujhe apne wotti te naal maar hi khaana he..

Everybody laughed listening to her.

Raman said with a slight pout, "waise bhi ab agey jaake kitne papad bhelne he..yehi se shuru krte he.."

Ishita murmured, "evalavu (how much) arrogance.."

Both cracked pappads on each other's head as if they were atom bombs. Mihika had to run for a second thaali in the end as the bride and groom were not ready to give up. When Mihika came up with the next thaali with a coconut in it Raman had a look of horror in his eyes for a second.

Raman : ab isey bhi sir pe maarna he kya??

Vandu laughed and explained "nhi nhi..isey sirf roll karna he like ball"

Raman : to ball hi roll krte na ye naariyal kyu..

Vandu : it's a tradition, after all!!

Raman nodded with a mock smile, "ofcourse!!"

Ishita and Raman rolled the ball disinterestedly. After a few more rituals and a sumptuous meal, it was time for them to say goodbyes.

Vandu and Ishu hugged each other. Mihika kissed her akka on cheek, "weekends me aogi na Mayur Vihar? Tab milenge..I'll miss you akka"

Ishika : kya Mi..hum to roz hospital me milenge!!

Mihika : haa akka but you are the dental specialist and I'm in admin section ghar ki tarah thodi gossip kr skte he?

Ishu : aww..We will meet for lunch. Tab kr lenge gap shap..

Mihika : done (whispers) mujhe details batana ok?

Ishu wacked her softly," unhhuhh..kya Mihika..kuch bhii"

And they hug each other. Ishu then turns to Vishwa who had his eyes filled but was smiling blissfully.

Vishwa : Aj Madhu hoti to she would have been so happy Ishu..

Ishu : ap ho na appa..You have always been my amma and appa..

Vishwa hugged her lovingly, "Ishu..live happily beta.."

Ishita nodded and looked at the direction where her future life was waiting. Raman was already inside the car lost in his phone. He didn't give one glance at her when she entered the car and quietly sat next to him. The car left to Lodhi Road Skyhill Apartment!!

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PRECAP : First Night!! 😳 😳

PS : I hv never been to any TamBram wedding before. All the info I got ws frm Wiki. So if I hv written anything wrong here plsss dn take offense. "mannichu vittudungo.." 😳