Clad in silk sarees, their hair buns adorned with flowers, the women blushed, almost like just-to-be-married brides while their husbands garlanded them amidst electric nagaswaram beats and loud chanting of mantras. While some women walked with the help of sticks, their husbands adjusted their dentures, but each one of them helped the other, holding hands and cautioning each other before keeping the next step.
It was a grand wedding, yet again for at least 35 couples, who were felicitated by the Shri Shanmukhanda Sabha on Sunday. All the couples had grown and bonded over the years and on Sunday they celebrated 50 years of married life. The function called the “Jyestha Dhampati” celebrated every couple’s togetherness who had witnessed “Sahasra Chandra Darshees”, which means a thousand full moons.
“Adjusting with the spouse is the key to a successful married life,” said KV Ramachandran, 84, who has been married to Kamala, 74, for the past 54 years. “Each spouse should know to take ‘no’ for an answer,” chipped in Kamala, sharing her recipe to a successful marriage.
Almost every couple unanimously felt that the shift from a joint family to a nuclear family and pursuing a career at any cost were responsible for many unhappy marriages, which eventually led to divorce. “In a nuclear family, the role of elders is minimal. Elders guide, advice and pass on wisdom to the young couples. That is completely missing in today’s households,” said MN Muthuswamy, 86, who had come from Thane with his 72-year-old wife Tailambal. The couple, who has been married for the past 52 years now lead a retired life, with their three daughters married and settled abroad. V Shankar, president of the Sabha, said the function was to note the experience, wisdom and knowledge of the elderly couples. “We also want to seek their blessings and should learn a lesson or two for the betterment of our own lives,” said V Shankar.
Eighty-six year-old Parasuraman, who has been observing disturbing trends in society including divorces, domestic violence and extra-marital affairs, feels that the current generation couple do not peace of mind at home. “Work pressure, aspirations and the competitive job market takes a toll on the marital lives. Plus, the spouses constantly criticise each other, which is the first step to a rift in any marriage,” felt Parasuraman, who has been married to his wife Bhayawati for the past 56 years. The occasion was also held as a part of the centenary celebrations of MR Doraiswamy and his wife Ponnu.
