Nurungukal  cntd.......

                                It started raining cats and dogs on the morning of the marriage. A visit to our family temple by the bride's party had to be arranged , to accept the blessings of the Goddess. In hose days that was  a practise which can not be avoided. There was no possibility of arranging any kind of conveyance, so the bride accompanied by very close relatives and the Nadaswaram set was sent. They returned a few minutes before the Muhoortham fully wet but satisfied for accomplishing the mission. A few minutes later the bridegroom party reached the venue . While the bride was dressing for the occasion, the visitors were received at the entrance of the Panthal,as usual  by sprinkling rose water and washing the feet of the bridegroom. There were about fifty of them .There was a big metal trunk box  of dress for the bride and and a few baskets of vegetables , sweets and provisions , which was received by my brothers. Every body talked in subdued voice , and few calls now and then together reached a crescendo when the bride arrived blushed  in her pure white cloths . She looked extremely gorgeous. The nadaswaram party was trying to show there excellence , playing many classical ragas. We fancied to watch the piper whose cheeks were blowing according to the pitch .Other artists made typical movements to attract the attention.

                                The bride was taken to the Mani panthal  with a traditional retinue. She was seated on the left side of the bridegroom and the rest is part of our family history. We were just enjoying each activity and were not in a mood to paste them in our memory. Unfortunately those events were not recorded . Now we are left to depend on the impressions in our mind

                                Then the crowd  slowly started clustering conveying pleasantries, getting introduced to new relationships and refreshing broken links. My mother was standing out from the rest showing her in born ability of entertainment The feast followed and slowly the people started bidding good bye and the house and panthal was almost deserted. When my sister also bade a farewell I was standing in the middle trying to restrain from  sobbing................... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!