‘Behind the scenes at an
Indian Wedding’
Indians in general are deeply rooted
in tradition. Our culture gives us our identity. Most of us (especially those
living away from the homeland) cling to it, even though several aspects in
these particularly modern times, make no sense at all. Why do we do so?
Perhaps because it brings us together as a community and provides us comfort in
a foreign environment. The same I think applies to immigrants from all over the
globe.
Marriages in India, in particular Hindu
marriages are long drawn intricate affairs fraught with age old tradition.
Little has changed over the centuries except for certain embellishments due to
modernization. To non-Indians these ceremonies appear just that—elaborate
colorful rituals flavored with plenty of pomp and show.
In the following story I take my readers
on a ‘behind the scenes' tour at a
traditional Indian wedding. I’ve tried to illustrate the proceedings from
engagement to the wedding ceremony with “generalized” Indians---my characters, and
have also made an attempt to expound on the emotional upheavals that occur in
the background and often aren’t spoken out loud. Milan is more of a ‘short
story’ concept where it shows the before/during and after of an event than it
is a ‘long novel’ about characters with hopes and dreams and goals. And its
purpose is exactly that, to show the emotions Indian couples go through during
the process of a wedding. This story may help the reader get a better insight
into the culture of marriage in India.
The Setting of MILAN:
Whenever
I travel back to my homeland, I prepare for a culture shock. The crowds, the
noise, the pollution have all increased several fold as the country races
forward at breakneck speed to catch up with the rest of the world. There are very places left where it still seems like life goes
on as it did a few decades ago, where people are laid back and nature is not at
war with mankind.
MILAN is set in one
such place; Coonoor-- a hill town located
in the Nilgiri Hills, about 56 kms from the Coimbatore Airport, in the southern
Indian State of Tamil Nadu. It is part way from its more well-known cousin Ooty. I
spent some time there during my last trip and was so enchanted that I chose to
use it as a setting for my story. Known for its tea plantations, Coonoor is a
lovely, rustic little town. With its abundance of greenery and quaint
architecture it is a throwback to India as it used to be. The temperate climate
and serene environment help the restless soul to relax and take a few breaths
of peace. When you are there, don't forget to take a ride on the Nilgiris meter
gauge train, as well as a personalized tour of the tea estates. I want to thank Debdatta for giving me this opportunity to express myself and for hosting this blog tour. I also want to thank all the bloggers who are participating in this tour and have made space for my book on their blog. Your time and generosity is much appreciated.
Please visit my website http://simikrao.com/ for more info on me and my work. You can also connect with me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/simikrao and twitter https://twitter.com/simikrao
Happy Reading!
Simi
K. Rao
About the Book:
Milan (A Wedding Story)
When a daughter turns marriageable age, what should a responsible father do? Easy--wed her to the most suitable boy who comes knocking on the door. Jai Bharadwaj, Mili's father and owner of The Serenity Tea Estate in the idyllic Nilgiris would've probably liked to do the same, but being who he was, he had to ask her first. What would she say?
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About the Author:
Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern
India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She
is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.
The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.
Contact the Author:
Website I Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads
The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.
Contact the Author:
Website I Blog I Facebook I Twitter I Goodreads
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