In a surprise move, known traditionalist Madhusudan Rao has challenged the status quo related to marriages in Karnataka by boldly deciding to conduct the ceremonies in Ooty (Udhagamandalam) and have the honeymoon right here in Bangalore. Speaking to reporters outside his Hanumanthanagar (Bangalore) residence, Rao said that it was a reknowned custom, especially in South India, for people to marry in Bangalore and proceed to their honeymoon in Ooty or Kodaikanal. “I was sick of this rule, this unchallenged norm. I wanted to do something different. So I decided to reverse the locations.”
“In this regard, I am the Anti-Cecil B DeMille. The Anti-DeMille. ‘Location! Location! Location!’ is not the rule for me. Ha ha ha,” he concluded, making a small, rather niche joke. Wedding watchers, however, feel this is more than just a desire to rebel against societal rules. Economy might have had a role to play, they opined. “The cost of feeding 500 relatives in Bangalore is quite high. Not to mention wedding hall rental rates. Even a modest hall costs nothing less than one lakh rupees for two days now. Plus, these South Indian weddings are very involved and detailed in their food preparations and consumptions. Heavyset appas and ammas, wellrounded attes and bhaavas, sodaramaavas, shaddkas, vaargittis, naadnis, women named Saroja and others are reknowned for their dining prowess and are regulars at these social dos. Not feeding them will save anyone atleast a lakh of rupees. Per meal. And these people attend all the occasions, collectively known as De-Va-Dha-Re Bee –> Devarasamaradhane, Varapooje, Dhaare, Reception and BeegaroutaNa. That might be a very strong motivating factor for Rao to make his decision. Not mere reform.” said noted social commentator J Venkat.
“Who does he think he is, Periyar?” exclaimed activist Nafisa. “This is nothing. He’s just trying to cut costs, the cheapskate. He’s cheated me out of a coconut and a blouse piece!”
“Wouldn’t even have cost much for me, the latter” she added, humbly.
At press time, Rao was shyly drinking out of a small “tumbler” (sic) of warm milk that his fiancee, Jayalakshmi, had just prepared for him and refused to comment further.
