Ramya Vidhyasagar

Ramya & Vidhyasagar

Chennai | Feb 1-2 2013

Sprinkles of rose water, sugar crystals and a bunch of prettily carved fruits welcomed one and all to the wedding of Ramya Gurumoorthy and Vidhyasagar Krishnamoorthy.

The air at Mandaveli’s Narayani Ammal Mandapam was electric with the ‘kalakalappu’ of conversations, bright hues of the kanagambaram and the swishing of Kancheevaram sarees. True to tradition, a rich red fabric was sprawled across near the entrance, lovingly decorated with flowers carrying the names of Ramya and Vidhyasagar.

Revved up after the quiz, the folks embarked to the family deity’s temple. The swirls from the incense sticks and scents of camphor carried their prayers to seek the blessings of the Lord.

The groom and bride rode back from the temple in absolute fanfare, seated on a horse-drawn carriage while the families danced and sang around the procession. The Nischayadhartham followed and a promise was made, in front of the near and dear that Ramya and Vidhyasagar shall begin a wonderful journey the next morning, wedded as husband and wife.

Early the next morning, dabs of kann mai, twirling of flowers, the delightful chatter of mamas, mamis, athais and athimbers and the tinkling anklets of little girls painted the ambiance of the mandapam. A mock-embark to Kasi, a near-acrobatic entertaining garlanding lead up to the lively Oonjal ceremony.

To the chant of the mantras, clad in a lovely red madisaar, the beautiful Ramya arrived - eyes aglow with hope and happiness. Vidhyasagar looked the handsome groom in the traditional pattu veshti and angavasthram. Bride seated on the father’s lap, priest screaming out the familiar ‘Kettimelam! Kettimelam!’, to the beat of the mridhangam and the melodic strains of the nadaswaram, as flower petals descended in fragrant blessings from the crowd, Vidhyasagar and Ramya entered into holy matrimony.

After a satisfying Kalyana saapadu, the Nalangu ensued with both parties openly flirting with one another over a round of song and games. The evening sparkled with the reception with a traditional kutcheri providing the background music for the event. Laughter continued to echo across the hall, as a sumptuous dinner brought the thoroughly enjoyable two days to an end. And as they say, a wedding is only the beginning to a wonderful journey ahead, full of love, laughter, meaning and togetherness.

Maniyarasan Rajendran maniyarasan@gmail.com 822 01 38 211 97 248 246 96 behance.net/onesquareinch