A Lovely Mallu Wedding

A wedding in Thrissur…..a quintessential Malayali Wedding

Also, a milestone in time. Beena and I went to school together, that many many years back, and now it was time for her son’s wedding. A first. First friend whose child was getting married, that’s why a milestone, and there was no way I would miss it.

I mention that, more because there were enough and more obstacles coming up to our trip. Was on uncertain ground right till the evening before we left, and today, I’m just so glad each of them was overcome one at a time. Some, god helped...and some I’m happy to say was ‘taking a decision’. Lesson there….all about keeping the focus on goal, and goal was to be with Beena on this occasion that meant so much.

That got captured for me in two very differently intense moments. One, in Thrissur, when Beena and I found ourselves alone in the hotel corridor for two minutes…. she gives me a hug and says “I’m just feeling sooooo happy”. I could feel her joy through the hug. A wonderful moment.

And second; at the reception, at the Bolgatty Palace ground…...everything’s beautifully set, almost fairytale like beautiful. It’s in the lawns, set against the spectacular backdrop of the ocean. 

We’re there early, and enjoying the beauty of the venue….almost time for the event….….. and suddenly the sky darkened...and in minutes it was like the clouds burst. 

Huge bolts of lightening and thunder... and sheets of rain.....a massive thunderstorm. Beena sitting there looking out into the pouring rain, watching her weeks of painstaking effort ...every chair and every bouquet, every curtain, every flower impeccably matched ….helpless...her eyes going red, holding back the threatening tears. While there was nothing I could say that would change things, just to be sitting with her and saying it’s okay to cry….and know the reception will yet happen.

We were watching Narayanan, walking around everywhere, umbrella in hand, yet fully drenched, likely as much from sweat as rain, such a worried look in his eyes...one that we could all feel for, but none of us could talk to.

Half hour later, yet pouring and drenched...everything was magically reorganized.....turned out an as grand reception, with so much participation from all invited, and more.....a lovely reception, one that even the rain gods couldn't stop. Beena, that says a lot for you and Narayanan. Wonderful wonderful stuff.

I now understand that what I said as 'magically reorganized' had behind it the hands of one special individual. A Dr. Gangadharan, a close friend of Narayanan's, someone I've been hearing off through the years. I understand that when he saw what the storm was doing, not just to the venue setting, but to Narayanan, he pretty much took over. Actually gave Narayanan lime and salt, reframed the situation for him, and then he and his team (Gangadharan is a world reknown oncologist) set about reorganizing the venue to alternate arrangements. Some great work there, by him and his team.  Wow stuff.....makes for some great memories.....and lessons too.

Onto the event itself.

We landed at Cochin on 24th afternoon, plumb in the middle of a pooja ceremony at home….. women in traditional white silk kasavus and men in mundu with colourful silk shirts ......was a lovely sight. 

Ceremony done, nice lunch done...couple hours later we were on the road to Thrissur, for the wedding. 

Rest in pictures:

24th evening was a hybrid of a traditional ceremony and a sangeet. The women in the family all sitting to make vathulu (cotton wicks), for the very many oil lamps that are lit for the wedding. Such a pretty sight.

And the now newer mix of the sangeet that has seeped its way into south indian weddings as well. Who doesn’t like music and dance, so, fun it was...even in the watching.

The wedding itself, at Kaustubham in Thrissur. The actual ceremony a quiet and pious affair, with the stage being prominently occupied by the nilavilakku (traditional brass lamp) and a para (brass vessel) filled with nellu (rice husk) and coconut flowers.

A lovely family picture. Beena, Narayanan, Pranav, Vaishakhi and the cute kid brother Monu (ok ok...Saurav :)

Sadya, the traditional and well known kerala spread. So Yummm. The payasam was to die for.

A lovely moment captured there. More importantly, I wanted Shobha, Beena's sister and mom (sitting behind) here, and sadly had no other pictures with them. I've after all known them since I was 12.

Shaking a leg...friends of the bride and groom, and the bride and groom, Vaishakhi and Pranav themselves, both in pink...so cute :)

From the previous day, when we just reached, but had to put a picture of Beena in a kasavu :)

Diksha and me....Beens, thanks for sending me this picture :)

Reception next evening....at the Bolgatty palace. The mandapam against the waters, so very elegant and beautiful.

The palace itself. A 1744 building, apparently the oldest existing Dutch palace outside Holland

Beena, me and Diksha enjoying the venue before start of reception

And then the clouds appeared, with a speed and ferocity that was spellbinding

And then it poured

Venue shifted to alternate hall....and here's the flag off, so rightfully done by Dr.Gangadharan, (extreme right, with the mike in hand) who pretty much saved the day

A pretty picture..the couple with the bridesmaids

An interesting episode during the reception was when well known actor Mammootty (he's a friend of Narayanan's) walked in, and we could feel the energy in the room so palpably shift. You can see Mammootty in white to the right. Even the photographers turned the other way and took selfies :)

A picture of their house, all decked up for the wedding, so pretty

End of day, almost midnight, and when the rain finally went into a drizzle we went back to the original mandapam for some final pictures.

There was one super cute moment here. Pranav and Vaisakhi were getting some pics on the mandapam, you know the 'candid' ones. You could tell that the photographer had asked Pranav to kiss the bride, and we see this quick and furtive glance behind...at his parents... wondering if it was okay with them around. Such a cute look that was.

Beena and Narayanan, many many many congratulations to you both !!

And thanks much for hosting us for the wedding, and more for making us feel so much a part of family...can’t tell you how touching and wonderful it was.