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radhika: means the essence of fragrance ... that's how a loving father pacified his heart-broken daughter, when a school bully teased that she would never marry her lover, just like radha never did. according to the myth though, the name radhika is derived from aradhana (worship), and is associated with krishna as his 'forever' love and greatest servitor. me? nah, i'm just a simple little girl with a biiiig smile, because the bully had been wrong all along... yesterday... don't take that road at night a stitch in time... all dressed up and nowhere to go someone owes us an explanation. right? flavours of the month beautiful people why happy buddays should remain happy a minor-surgery-break, and a tube journey (c)all for a surprise another diwali, another lesson food blog yoghurt-rice (thairchadam) easy to make, tasty and refreshing anytime...no wonder it's the top favourite of south-indians worldwide. inside are some alternative ingredients to the same recipe too... more... why i am reading the namesake "do i remind you of that night?" "not at all," his father says eventually, one hand going to his ribs, a habitual gesture that has baffled gogol until now. "you remind me of everything that followed." more... bookmarks praveen mahesh nidhi savio deepu acchan amma hari ratheesh bbc south asia bbc uk around 999 words...  archives February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 January 2004 August 2003 July 2003 May 2003 April 2003 March 2003 February 2003 January 2003 November 2002 October 2002 September 2002 August 2002 July 2002 June 2002 May 2002 April 2002 February 2002 January 2002 December 2001 November 2001 October 2001 September 2001 August 2001 July 2001 June 2001 May 2001 April 2001 March 2001 February 2001 January 2001 December 2000 November 2000 October 2000 September 2000 August 2000 July 2000 June 2000 May 2000 |
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© praveen.radhika |
November 25, 2001
i fought, i cajoled, i pleaded, even threw tantrums, but nothing would stop my parents from making my marriage a purely 'traditional' south-indian one...
awake at 5:00 am
unending phone calls
panicky relatives
picky, sometimes
what, you haven't had coffee yet!?
haldi session
blessings from everybody
waiting for someone
or for someone else
grannies want their stern say
don't you forget a word of what i just said
already 7:00 am
who's got the flowers?
(no confusion, no marriage)
giggly cousins
concerned friends
gulnar, mahesh, malini, prakash
even sanjeev, and deepak and saroj
experienced chittis
amma, composed and calm
ok, she's ready!
flash, click, photographer's here
tilt-a-little, smile, 1-2-3
CLICK!
CLICK!
happy nods
approving smiles
dakshina time!
relatives in queue
tear-choked blessings
you'll be going so far...
light-hearted achchan
relieved, i think
of course, everyone's happy
CLICK!
CLICK!
the bridegroom is waiting! leave quick!!
vehicle co-ordination
esteem, maruti or sumo?
careful! don't mess your hair
at the temple hall
congratulations, congratulations!
the bride's waiting room
brimming with do's and dont's
kashi yatra's over
bring her out now
the marriage begins...
endless chants
ponytailed pujaris
do loud voices
compensate lack of comprehension?
shh, that's how marriages are
helpful chittappa
pours meaning into mantras
aha, that's what it's for
jhula-time...i've waited for the swing
they raise the groom
the mamas, four
my mama's strong too
i'm lifted high
garlands are exchanged
so are looks and laughter
they do this thrice
bride and groom
take place on the swing
marriage song sita-kalyanam...
fills the air
i see more tears
but not on my cheeks
aha, milk-and-banana
for the 'would-be' couple
yummmm....
more songs, a little light swing
back to the stage now
more chants and symbolic threads
nine-yard saree
five to drape, twenty to advise
giggly bride
nervous about the saree
and won't i be?
will it come off? is it tight?
five minutes are up
the door opens
here comes the bride...
the marriage (act II) begins anew
more chants and mantras
the toe-ring slipped in
i take my place
on achchan's lap
CLICK!
CLICK!
the bride looks sweet
i learn to be shy
the moment is here, auspicious
the yellow tali is around my neck
garlands, flowers
yellow rice grains
hands turn into temporary showers
people give way
smile, laugh, cry and hug
congratulations, congratulations!
CLICK!
CLICK!
we are now husband and wife.
...looking back, i guess i'm glad they won. just don't ask me why.
