Marriage is not just between the two partners. It also links the families and their cultures together.
When the families are from varied backgrounds such as Anisha and Santosh's, the wedding ceremonies and rituals become a beautiful amalgamation of both the Malayali and Tambrahm cultures.
The wedding of Anisha, a Malayali, with Santosh, a Tamil Brahmin, is a great example of how beautifully two cultures can come together to create a unique and elegant wedding ceremony. Here is a look at the two-day wedding of these two gorgeous lovebirds with complete photography of the events.
Click here for our complete Tambrahm Wedding Guide or our complete Tamarind Tree Bangalore Wedding Guide.
Day 1 - Welcoming The Groom
The two-day wedding festivities started by welcoming the groom into the bride's family. Anisha's brother washed Santosh's feet, and her parents welcomed him by placing a garland and a traditional sandalwood tika on Santosh. The women in Anisha's family donned the traditional Kerala Kasavu saree and showered rose petals and rose water on Santosh and his family to welcome them.
Anisha chose to stay close to her roots and chose a traditional Kerala Kasavu saree with a red blouse. Anisha and Santosh looked star-struck as they met each other with wide smiles.
Anisha's cousins showcased their Bharatnatyam skills to the awe of Santosh's family. Her aunts and cousins also put on a show of the traditional Thivathira Kali. The women dance in a circle with lamps placed in the centre of the circle for the Thiruvathira Kali or Kaikotti Kali. The women seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for marital bliss via the dance. The evening progressed as both families mingled and got to know each other better.
Day 2 - Tamil Brahmin Wedding
The second day of the wedding festivities stayed true to Santosh's TamBrahm side with all the Tamil Brahmin rituals. The bride and groom sought the blessings of Gods with a puja with their respective fathers. Santosh's family then gifted a saree to Anisha, which she had to wear for the next Tamil Brahmin wedding rituals.
As Anisha left to change into the resplendent pastel blue Kanjivaram saree given by Santosh, Santosh got ready for the Kashi Yatra. Anisha's parents had to convince him to come back and marry their daughter. The fun-filled ceremony is common in all Tamil Brahmin weddings.
After the Kashi Yatra, the bride and the groom were lifted up by their cousins and friends. The cousins and friends moved Anisha and Santosh away as they try to garland each other leading to much laughter and fun.
Anisha and Santosh then held hands and proceeded to the Oonjal. As they sat on the Oonjal or wooden swing, their mothers did the Aarti. The women sang traditional songs to celebrate the sacred bond of marriage. Anisha and Santosh were then offered banana dipped in milk.
The bride's parents then washed the groom's feet and applied sandalwood paste. The groom gave the Madisar or the traditional Tamil Brahmin saree to Anisha. Anisha changed into the elegant orange and purple Madisar for the remaining TamBrahm rituals.
Anisha sat on her father's lap as he performed the Kannigadhanam, where he handed over his daughter to Santosh. This was followed by the Mangalyadharanam or Thali ceremony. Santosh tied the Thali around Anisha's neck. Emotions were clearly running high with this ceremony as Anisha and Santosh's mothers shed tears of joy. The couple then performed puja to seek the blessings of Gods for their marriage.
Once all the rituals were over, it is time for the Vilayadal or games. Anisha and Santosh rolled a coconut between each other, sang songs and broke papads on each other's head. The whole family took part by pulling their legs and making fun of them, all leading to a gala time!
The Venue - The Tamarind Tree, Banglore
The Tamarind Tree is a gorgeous venue that complements the beauty of the wedding festivities. The heritage location offers plenty of opportunities to take stunning pictures that showcase the beauty of Indian culture and handicrafts. The pond surrounded by the temple steps and the bandstand become the venue for most of the wedding rituals for Anisha and Santosh. The Tamarind Tree is a truly stunning location with a lot to offer for couples looking to tie the knot.
As the graceful and elegant wedding of Anisha and Santosh comes to a close, the couple and the family can look back with joy at the Malayali and Tamil Brahmin rituals that blended together beautifully to create this unique wedding experience.
