That be the day years back
as I recollect in a track
a boy just over twenty-one years
and a girl not even twenty years
both so young and pristine in beauty
stand there with a smile
the eyes reflect a fear and tremble
perhaps it looks like a preamble
to the experiences, they have to encounter
as they stand before a crowd of thousands
on the early hours of the morning
fully decked up with jewellery and silk
ready to tie the knot and bear the yolk
as the minutes draw to a close
the music from the piped instrument
nadhasawaram as it is called in this part
starts with a subdued note then raises to the pitch
while the percussionists the players of Thavil
strike the chord with enormous beats
the Purohit chants the mantra in earnest
as the boy ties the thali round the girl’s neck all honest
with that they become man and wife to the world
the happening being some forty-one years back
that be the day 3/ February/1974 a long way back
while the boy and girl have become old man and woman
well into their sixties still active and cherubic in demeanor
proud parents of three lovely sons well into their thirties
blessed with a host of grandchildren all smart and lovely
Well, that much and more they have earned
nothing short of awards and trophies
nothing less than fame and money
find that life well lived is its 
own reward.
i
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