In India, the greatest importance is attached to marriage. No pains are spared in the selection of suitable brides and bridegrooms. A grownup daughter is a great headache to her parents. They make all possible search for a suitable bridegroom. When one that suits their status and taste is found, money is spent like water on the performance of marriage.
My friend Arun lives next door to me. His marriage came off last summer. I was one of the invitees, for I was very thick with him. On the day of the marriage, he was most beautifully dressed. On his head, he wore a crown, with gold threads hanging all round.
He was profusely garlanded. He rode a cream coloured horse richly caparisoned. He was followed by the marriage party which consisted of fifty members in their Sunday suits. All were chewing betel leaves. A band played at the head of the procession.
The procession proceeded slowly towards the bride’s house. On the way, fireworks were displayed at intervals. Mr. Arun was the cynosure of all eyes. He was the observed of all observers. He was feeling shy and bashful.
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In half an hour, the procession reached the bride’s house. The bride’s father, relatives and friends received the party with open arms. They were accorded a befitting reception. The bride’s house was illuminated with multi-coloured bulbs hung inside and outside it and on some trees in front of it. The sight was for the gods to see.
The bride, the very picture of modesty, came forward and garlanded Mr. Arun. He also garlanded her in turn. There were cheers and congratulations from all quarters. The bridegroom was taken inside the house.
The party was invited to a sumptuous and delicious dinner. There was no end to the delicacies and dainties with which they were entertained. The marriage ceremony was performed in the small hours of the morning. Arun and his bride sat in front of the sacred fire and the priest performed the marriage rites in the presence of relatives.
The bride’s father gave Arun a handsome dowry consisting of costly sarees, jewellery, utensils, furniture and a beautiful car. But the most precious treasure that he got was his bride, Usha, a paragon of beauty, the light of the house and the joy of his life. Arun could not contain himself for joy. All praised the bride. His friends envied him his beautiful bride.