Think of Indian wedding and you think of 'Hum
Apake Hain Koun' just because the movie portrayed Indian wedding in
a glamorous and vibrant manner. It is true that Indian marriages are
known for their opulent and vibrant look but there are much more to
it than just the gloss and glamour. The customs and rituals of
Indian weddings, which were more traditional and orthodox earlier
has acquired a more modern approach in today's celebration. But the
core aspect of Indian wedding is still the same, which speaks of
traditions, values and celebrations. It is not only the coming
together of the bride and the groom but also their families. It
marks the togetherness of two different backgrounds into a single
family. Indian marriages are a beautiful display of love, concern,
commitment, and emotion. Over the years the celebration aspect of
Indian wedding has undergone a metamorphosis. With the influence of
the MTVculture and hectic lifestyle people are going for court
marriages, which are hassle free and involves less time. But still
there are people who like to get married in the traditional way.
If we turn back the pages of history we will discover that wedding
ceremony is one of the oldest custom and ritual known to mankind and
Indian cultural history also tells us the same. According to the
verses and hymns on marriages in the Vedas we get to know that
individuals were considered eligible for marriages after puberty.
Evidences from other scriptures and Hindu epics reveals that divorce
and remarriages were not permitted in ancient India. Due to foreign
invasions early childhood marriages became a custom in ancient
India. Earlier references on marriages in the ancient texts suggest
that the Aryans were monogamous. Even in the epic of Mahabharata the
concept of polygamy and polyandry have also been found. In the
medieval India the custom of marriage was mandatory for every girl.
The concept of polygamy existed mainly among the Kshatrias for
political reasons. With the passage of time the simplicity in Indian
wedding is somehow lost as the customs and rituals became
complicated and rigid. The custom of dowry, which turned out to be
the biggest social evil of our country gave rise to various problems
related to marriage. Today it has become the biggest social evil of
our country. Marriage is the most important social event for any
Indian family. The customs and rituals associated with marriages in
India vary according to the region reflecting the rich and diverse
cultures of India. Indian wedding speaks of Indian tradition,
culture and heritage. The wedding rituals reflect the true regional
color of India. So next time when you get an invitation to a wedding
ceremony don't miss it.
