Indian wedding

Posted by Girish Patil | 7:59 PM

Whenever we talk of Indian wedding we try to equate it with arrange marriages. In India the social structure is such that we associate Indian marriages mainly with arrange marriages. Most of us have the feelings that arrange marriage is the concept of Indian society. But history tells us that arranged marriages use to happen even in the Victorian age. The history of England tells us that most of the kings and queens had arranged marriages. In India arrange marriages originated when child marriages was customary in the country. Caste system gave birth to arrange marriages, as the upper caste families didn't want their children to marry outside their community and caste. The concept of love marriage was a taboo in ancient India as India always had a tradition of arranged marriages. But after World War II and industrial revolution people's perception started changing and they became familiar with the concept of love marriages. In India the influence of the British culture gave rise to love marriages. The idea, which was once a taboo, became more open and acceptable in the Indian society. But this change was seen only among the educated and high society Indians. The rural parts of the country remained ignorant and unaware of love marriages. In spite of the social changes arranged marriage persisted.

Love or arranged marriages is still a debatable topic in the Indian society. People still debate on the issue, which one is better. What should be the basis of the marriage love or social norms? We are still confused about these issues. Education and media played a vital role in changing the perception of the Indian mind. As people started thinking beyond the social customs and traditions of arranged marriages. They realized that they have the right to choose their life partner without any kind of social pressure. It is after all their life. They can decide without having to rely on parents, relatives and matchmakers. This change in the mental set up of the people gave birth to love marriages. Now in India people are open to love marriages. It is no more forbidden in the society. In our country we are having both love and arranged marriages. If we start comparing love and arranged marriages we will see that both has certain pros and cons. But the common factor in both the concept is physical attraction. When a man and a woman go out on their first date physical attraction is the deciding factor. Same in case of arranged marriage where the relation starts only after the girl or boy likes each other. But there are certain things, which are found in love marriages and not in arranged. Like spending time together and getting to know each other. Because when you have decided to spend the life together it is important you know the person. There should be metal compatibility and understanding among both of you. And this happens when you spend time together. On this people may argue that even after knowing each other for so long than why people get divorced after marriage. It is because when two people are in love they are at their best to impress each other. They behave, they talk and they wear what the other person likes. But it is after marriage that you get to know the real person. There are couples who are still discovering each other even after twenty years of their marriage. This is the actual beauty of a relationship where everyday you discover a new thing about your partner.

In case of arranged marriages the relation starts when the girl and the boy get to know each other in a couple of meeting before the final commitment. Before deciding anything the parents check the family background and financial stability. Which is also very important? As most of the people have an idea that those who go for arranged marriages are not in an advantageous position but it's not so you may get the right person for whom you have been waiting. Even in love marriages after many years of courtship people find their partner not suitable and they break up. So it is not about spending time together but successful marriage is all about understanding and respecting each other's feelings, love and concern. It is argued that love marriages offer more independence and freedom as compared to arranged marriages since both of them knows each other so the social pressure and family pressure is less. If you know somebody before marriage it allows partners to have better respect and understanding for each other's needs and desires. In love marriages expectations are more compared to arrange marriages, as they know each other and want their partner to act in the best possible manner.

Arranged marriages, offer more protection, security to the women. As the parents decides the family. Parents make use of maturity and wise decision while choosing suitable spouses for their children. The mature decision of parents sometimes helps to make the right choice. But it doesn't mean that arranged marriages are ideal marriages. Even in an arranged marriage there is a different sort of social pressure. Social evils like dowry, caste system, matching of horoscopes and community issues are taken at such extreme levels that people don't support arranged marriages. So whether it is love or arranged ultimately it is up to the individual to decide, which one to go for. Love or arranged both is based on empathy, responsibility, commitment, love and concern. So it's not just about initial love and attraction it needs a lot of dedication and effort to sustain a marriage. So there is nothing like an ideal marriage it's all about the way you perceive your marriage. After all you should be happy with your life partner irrespective of love or arranged marriage.

it love or arranged – marriages are the same. Both start with a liking, a physical attraction and then progresses to become a relationship, hopefully meaningful. Where love scores as an individual’s choice, an arranged marriage is a collective effort, though the choice still rests with the individual who is getting married.

Sudha Shankar who had a love marriage laughingly comments, “We were in love… and then we got married.” On the other hand Seema Bhargav who had a traditional wedding claims, “I had an arranged marriage but later I fell in love with my husband.”

In both instances a conscious effort is needed to work on the marriage to make it successful. There is definitely no room for the `Ego’. Married couples have to invest time in the relationship to make it worthwhile. Yes, adjustments have to be made – no doubt. Making allowances would also be expected regularly. But, at the end of the day it is important to talk and sort your differences. Keeping the communication channels open at all times is imperative to the success of a marriage.

Vaishnavi and Parthav went steady for two years before tying the knot. She was an only child from an affluent background while he was one of the four from a middle class family. There were major hurdles to overcome like adjusting to a joint family, loss of privacy, space constraints within the house and to top it all interfering in-laws. Both were on the brink of divorce, yet nine years down the line they are still married.

Despite a love marriage both had major adjustment issues. Yet where they were able to sustain their marriage was their complete understanding of the other and their steadfastness to make the marriage work. While they did have serious issues to sort they did not lose their faith in one another. Vaishnavi says, “Each time there was a crisis I just thought why I loved him and there were no doubts about leaving him.” Parthav on the other hand says, “There was never any thought of divorcing her. But I was confused about her reactions and that made me go on the defensive. However, at the end of it we love each other and still work on solving our problems as a team.”

Vimala and Harish had an arranged marriage. They too had similar contentions as Parthavs’ and they too have managed to retain their sanity and keep their marriage together by staying as a team. Harish kept her abreast of the situations in the family. Vimala, on her part braced herself for the hurdles and prepared herself for the adverse situations. She was secure in the knowledge that her husband would be there to reassure her and allay her doubts and fears.

The stimulant which keeps a marriage on the road is commitment. Both need to be committed to each other. It is not about first flush of adoration, though that will sustain you during the initial rush of romance. It is about routine, mundane stuff that can bog you down to being almost moribund. It is then that the commitment will be put to test. Are you up to it? There will be trying times pushing you to the edge. You will feel defunct and redundant. For a free spirit, domesticity could feel claustrophobic.

These are things that are common to all marriages – love or arranged. What makes the difference is your attitude. The `good marriage is that where there is the willingness to make the marriage work and the mindset to work as a team no matter what happens.

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