Interesting details and people in the Reception I attended yesterday evening:
1. The kutty fellow who was wishing each and every one of the guests "VaNakkam! VaNakkam!"
2. The aged grandparents of the bride whose faces appeared to be two lotus flowers in full bloom.
3. The slim, young bride whose name means 'fresh young leaves' was aptly dressed in a lovely green sari and matching jewels.
4. The groom from USA surprised the gathering by kneeling to the bride on the stage, while wearing the ring on her right ring finger and gently kissing her hands, drawing instant clapping.
5. The old mama who rushed to give the gift first and the serpentine queue which formed instantly.
6. I did not go on the stage (climbing 8 high steps up and then down, not to mention about waiting in the long queue) to bless the couple and pose for the video and photos.
7. The bride's mother wanted them to come down to take my blessings - to which I strongly objected, considering the length of the queue and the mixed response it will give rise to.
8. The Naadaswaram party who managed to locate me in the huge crowd since I keep the beats with out realizing it and also move my head perhaps. Thereafter they found new energy and interest and played all the popular songs.
9. The dinner had umpteen fried items and a chutney/ side dish to go with each of them. I must have consumed my one week's quota of salt yesterday. They don't serve the food after we sit. We sit after they have served everything on the plantain leaf - with the side dish poured on the main dish!
10. The two love birds whose moms are chums and whose dads are bosom friends and they themselves are well matched in age, height, weight, education and beauty. Both the the sets of parents ignored the way the yongsters were beaming and teasing each other!
11. The toothless watchman who promptly brought me a chair as we were waiting for the taxi. I tipped him Rs 10 secretly since Maanavathvam must flourish and continue in all the levels.
