The wedding
The hustle and bustle of the place, the noise of people busily going about their work, aroma of food being prepared on a large scale, everything felt surreal and yet too intimate. It was the preparation for a grand Indian wedding - my own. Tamil Brahmin ladies were in silk saris rushing about, the soft rustle of their colourful garments causing a sibilant sound in the air. The cook, a rotund man with a big pot belly, was stripped down to his waist. Sweat was pouring from his brow as he stood next to a large pot on a fire, stirring some sugary liquid with great gusto. Children ran around helter skelter, their voices rising shrill and excited as they chased each other in game play. Music blared loudly through the giant loud speakers fitted out in the function hall. Nadaswaram - the piped instrument payed very commonly in Tamil Brahmin weddings - was being played in full flow by the expert musicians hired for the job. Amidst all of this action, I felt the tension rising w...