Hi Friends,
After a series of Blogs on some serious topics, Today I thought I would share a ligther (but culturally Strong) moment with you all. And its pelli Choopulu. Pelli Choopulu is a word in Telugu language and doesn't have a single word translation in English and it means "Look over for a Prospective bride". This part is the second step in an arranged marriage concept.
The concept of "Pelli Choopulu - Look over for a Prospective bride" is almost nullified in the west as almost all the marriages there are based on love between a boy and a girl, but still its roots are very much stronger in Our Country India. As I said earlier in my blog on Arranged Marriages Vs Love Marriages, I am not against any and I believe we can still love the person we marry the same way as we do in Loving someone and getting married.
Now coming to the actual incident which happened in the recent past, it was my first time I happened to attend a Pelli choopulu. I really enjoyed the entire happening and thought of sharing with you guys :). The location which was selected for the occasion was the girls uncle's place in Hyderabad and was neutral since me as well as my parents felt it would be the best suit for travel arrangements, and the timing selected was 11:00 AM in the morning. Everyone were to travel the earlier day to reach the destination as the girl's parents were from a place, the girl was from another (she was working). My parents were from some other place and me from some other (I was also working). Only relatives from my side as well as girl's side from Hyderabad.
I was supposed to reach Hyderabad by 7 in the morning, thanks to APSRTC Garuda service which obviously got delayed and I happened to reach by 9:30 AM. My parents planned such that they will stay at one of out Aunt's home and will reach 2nd Aunt's home where I was supposed to land and get ready for the Occasion and all will go the the girl's place.By the time I reached by Aunt's home, everyone were eagerly waiting for me since I was already late and was been asked to get ready soon. I went to freshen up, by the time I came back after bath my parents with my uncle and aunt were here at the 2nd aunt's home.
Since, it was getting late my mom helped me having my breakfast (Edli & Chutney) and after that I was supposed to get dressed. But the shirt which I bought was a new one and was not properly pressed. This added spice to the situation, the way every was looking at me was really noticeable. My mom removed the shirt, my Sister in law arranged for the Iron and my mom finally got it pressed and made it presentable. In the mean time my cousin brother bought a perfume and applied it on me.
Now it was almost the time to leave for the girl's place, first batch including my Mom,dad, Uncle, & Aunt left in the car and we were waiting for the car to drop them there and pick us up. With in some time car came and the 2nd batch including me, sis in law, uncle and aunt accompanied by my cousin brother on bike left for the girl's place.
The excitement for the occasion and the heat from sun were already making me sweat, added to this as we reached the girl's place I found the elevator wasn't working. Girl's father and uncle came downstairs to receive us. I have to tell you something interesting here, we were a total of 9 members of my family reached the girl's place. ( hehehe :)) ) I don't know how the girl's family reacted to this situation. They were only 5 of them present.
Initially there was a general talk about the previous day's travel, and I was actually awaiting for the girl to come in. After few mins, the girl came in and I wished her Hi..and she reciprocated the same way with a beautiful smile. I thought it was my day and I should take the lead and started introducing my family to her. My Uncle, Aunt, 2nd uncle and Aunt, my mom & dad & last but not the least my cousin brother & Bhabhi. She even reciprocated the same by introducing her family, uncle & aunt, mom & dad.
Later, again there started some serious discussion of our families about some unnecessary topics. I interrupted everyone by saying to make it little casual so that can provide a little breather for us. I was actually looking to the opportunity to talk to the girl in person. I asked my brother and bhabhi to take care of this. In the mean while I never wanted to miss a chance to look at the girl. I was looking at the girl and the girl was also trying to see me. During this, at many of the moments our looks were getting locked and I was enjoying the feeling in my heart. Soon I had that chance to speak to her personally, we were sent to a adjacent room.
I thought of taking the fullest advantage of the opportunity provided to know each other, I asked her if she was comfortable, and my thinking behind this was to provide her the necessary space so that she can express herself better. And we started talking and I never had a hint how the time of running ahead. after some time the girl's aunt came in, I thought it might be time now and this would be the reason she came in. But she handed over some cool drinks to us, I asked if she had come for giving us the cool drinks or to pull us out, I think she was a little amused by my question and asked if the talks were not yet finished?? I said, I still needed to talk. she left and we continued talking.
Soon there was a knock at the door, and I realised it was my mom now and was asking whether only I will talk to the girl, even she wanted to talk to her and pulled me out. Later I realised that she was asked to do so by my other family members as it was almost close to or even more than an hour.
During our chat, we talked about almost everything which we wanted to know about a prospective life partner. There were obviously some silly questions to the girl by my family such as does she know singing, dancing etc., I also did had some questions about my profession, whether I know about share market etc., And soon it was time now for us to leave....:(, my family expressed their regards and told the girls family that they will come back with a decision soon. we left, but this time I was sent in the first batch in the car :(.
By this time you all would have known how excited I was and how I enjoyed the whole occasion. But truly, I cannot express in words about some feeling which would make you feel the butterflies in your stomach, making you little more excited and one should pass though this phase to feel it.
As I said this was my first "Pelli Choopulu - Look over for a prospective bride" and the memories will last for ever.
