Deepti & Arvind: Mumbai Tamil-Brahim Wedding

Tamilian weddings are photographer’s paradise for there are a number of rituals that take place which gives a lots of opportunity to come up with some great shots. Deepti & Arvind's wedding which was put together in less than a fortnight was one such. Even though we have already covered a Tamilian wedding we were extremely curious and eager to see how different (or similar) since both sides of the family were Tamilian Brahmins.

Kashi Yatra

The benefits of having two photographers :D

In a Brahmin wedding, soon after the Kashi Yaatra and the exchange of garlands, the to-be wed couple is seated on a swing (Oonjal in Tamil). Oonjal (swing) is a ritual which has multiple small rituals embedded into it.

The swing that is decorated with flowers and ornaments is made to rock back and forth. Married women stand around the oonjal and sing songs after which they clean the couple’s feet with milk and then a ball of red and yellow rice is used to cast off the evil eyes.

 

As part of the oonjal proceedings, ladies throw little colourful rice balls at the couple. as a part of their customs.

Kanyadaanam

When Arvind reached the mandap, he was welcomed by his father-in-law who washed his feet while the mother-in-law applied kajal in his eyes because he is considered to be an incarnation of god.

During the kanyadaanam ceremony, the bride sits on her father’s lap with a coconut in her hand. The bride and her father then hand the coconut to the groom while the bride’s mother pours water over the coconut. This signifies the handing over of the daughter to her new family. At this point, the groom’s family gift’s the bride a nine-yard saree which she is supposed to wear when the groom will put the mangalsutra around her neck.

Saptapadi

The groom takes the bride by her right hand in his left hand and leads her around the sacred fire seven times.

The bride touches her feet to a grinding stone each time she encircles the sacred fire with her husband. This signifies her hope that their union may be as firm and steadfast as the grinding stone.

Tamilian weddings are usually long and very early in the morning. So, people generally take breaks in between except the bride and groom who have to keep sitting in their places. 

Nalungu


A post wedding ritual where the bride and groom have to play a couple of games on of which involves rolling coconuts from each side.

 

Not even a single picture from this wedding says that this was an arranged wedding. So much fun and both Deepti and Arvind are one of the most enthusiastic couples we have ever met.