A wedding of a community
is a celebration of vanity
as they spend with a madness.
They circulate gifts days before
comprising of stainless steel and copper
large and small filled with murukkus
and mauvurandais (savouries:a speciality of the community)
They serve varieties of dishes for two days
including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The menu being elaborate runs into pages.
No wonder, the chef demands a fortune.
The shreedhan runs into millions
by way of cash, gold and diamond
silverware, copperware, stainless steel utensils
wooden almirahs and furniture all made at home
from the day, a girl is born
The highlight is a gift to the girl’s mother in law
a miniature of what is given to the bride
called as mamiar saaman murai
prevalent in the community for centuries together.
A practice peculiar.
the women turn busy
preparing vadams and mauvus
pickles and vathals.
The activities replicate
a small scale industry.
Revenue is in the hat
This mercantile community
considers marriage a transaction.
The highest bidder clinches the best deal.
Eavesdropping heard the bridegroom sulks
he said, “hell with it, vettithanam
damn money spoils the spirit.” Turning found
the girl’s demeanour equally sober.
Meenas Poems 