Thursday, December 03, 2020

My Brother’s Wedding Story

Before I go ahead, I need to say I wasn't in mind to post this blog because we faced a great loss to pluck away the happiness instantly coming out of the wedding mood. The unexpected loss of one of my uncles shattered us to pieces and left us in a great void of grief. I should make a post soon on this ironman, who had been greater shoulder support to our family and who also conducted the wedding from the front.  

Despite the pandemic restrictions and alert and alarming Nivar cyclone, the last week's wedding of my brother went on well and trouble-free as along. What we anticipated wasn’t far disappointing, but instead, reversed in order of what we planned.

We headed to the wedding hall earlier than we planned as we had no idea when the cyclone would hit hard or reach its extreme, so we informed the cook to prepare lunch for us,  and the bride’s family too reached the hall by the afternoon for the evening reception. There’s a custom that the bride should be invited only from the temple rather than going straight to the wedding hall had been broken down by the Nivar cyclone.

The day the reception and wedding was surrounded by gusty winds and pattering rain, agree to blow along the resonating Nadhaswaram and Thavil – our traditional music instrument used in weddings and any auspicious functions. Our family friend Selvam and his team of instrumentalists hit the notch in their playback instruments. Perhaps because this’s a wedding everyone looked out for for a very long time, and the enthusiasm hasn’t left him alone.

Everything went on planning or timing we set on other than fewer disappointments. We anticipated more people for the reception and less for the marriage, but the cyclone kept the twist, thereby reversing the order. The threatening Nivar cyclone had kept away many people from attending the evening reception as many don’t want to take a risk paid a visit to the morning wedding. But there weren’t people up to our expectation, and we understand the situation wasn’t favorable to us and there’s a waste of food for about 200.

Glad we decided to advance going to the wedding hall and halted there for the night, instead of coming home and return in the morning, like how we planned first.  Sure it would be a bad idea to execute our former plan in the gusty wind and rain, and our stay at the wedding hall was comfortable too. The room allotted for us on the ground floor was spacious with two king-size beds, reminding the cottages we hire during our travel,  was convenient to stay and watch every aspect of the wedding.

The night wasn’t easily forgettable apart from the gusty wind and rain blasting outside, there’s something disturbed the sleep, and it was a cold night that didn’t allow us to use to twin a/c in the room. The bride and the groom looked fair at their wedding/reception outfits and makeups what didn’t go right at the engagement.  After the wedding, the couple went to Tirupati to fulfill the request from the bride’s side.

I wore the mask thoroughly at the wedding, while many didn’t care a bit. I keep insisting my father wear the mask. But during the rituals, it goes off.  I keep the mask away only when I got to pose for a photo!

We were worried about conducting the marriage in the pandemic period, but the cyclone steered the wheel differently. We stayed at the wedding hall till everyone leaves and we moved out only after loading the things the bride brings home as Seeru (gifts from her parents) in the mini-truck, and we also made sure that we didn't miss anything. We are almost content with the happenings at the wedding, and the couple is happy, and the sis-in-law is quite calm and familiar to practice though we haven’t met before. And everyone had our part of smiles through the event.

A group photo of our beloved families after the wedding session and the one standing 2nd from the right (with a big mustache) is our uncle who passed two nights ago in a heart attack. 

16 comments:

ashok said...

Heartfelt condolences On the loss of your uncle Jeevan.

And Best wishes for a happy married life to your brother. Truly a rollercoaster of a day with the Cyclone.

Tom said...

...sad and happy times rolled into one!

George said...

I'm glad the wedding of your brother went well in spite of the impending weather. I am sorry to hear about the death of your uncle.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your uncle. It seems like so much happening at the time of your brother's wedding. I am glad all went well for the wedding. Congrats to you brother and your new sister in law. Take care, have a happy day!

L. D. said...

It still will be a memorable wedding. It was too bad about the storm and it was amazing that it happened at all. You have some great family shots.

carol l mckenna said...

So sorry for loss of your uncle ~ Wedding photos are lovely and so glad cyclone didn't impact the wedding for the most part ~ Blessings to all.

Live each moment with love,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Bill said...

My condolences for the loss of your uncle, Jeevan.
Best wishes to your brother and his wife, may they enjoy a long life filled with happiness.

Sandi said...

I am so sorry to hear about your Uncle. My condolences, Jeevan.

Lady Fi said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of your uncle. And glad to hear the wedding went off well despite everything.

Anita said...

What a beautiful weeding and cute couple!

Iam sad for your loss..it is terrible !

But spite all you stay fresh and handsome and keep on the good work

Wish you a peacful weekend :)

Rose said...

I am sorry for the loss of your uncle. But I am glad the wedding went okay.

Nancy Chan said...

Sorry for the loss of your dear uncle and it had to happen when everyone is celebrating the wedding. Glad to know that the wedding went well. Congratulations to your brother on his marriage.

Shilpa said...

Sorry for the loss but very happy for the new couple
Well written and that final family photo made my day . Very happy to see such photos .take care

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your Uncle, Jeevan. I'm grateful they were able to have a beautiful wedding despite the weather.

Resonator said...

I am sorry about the loss, bro.

Beautiful pic there Jeevan bro

Joyful said...

I'm so glad that the wedding went ahead as planned. When I read in your most recent post about the cyclone on the day of the wedding I wasn't sure if it went ahead or not. It's a pity about the wasted food but thankfully everything went ahead as planned. I'm so sorry about the loss of your uncle but I'm glad he could officiate at the wedding before he died. I'm sure that his role in the wedding made everyone happy.