Went to Chennai for a few days, after quite a while. I used to attend a December conference at Great Lakes Institute for a long time. This trip I went to a wedding, and spent time with Vijayakumar-old friend and colleague-
This is about my wedding. I was a Ph.D. student in the U.S., and wanted to marry. So we decided on a visit to Pune, to advertise in a magazine- Rohini. This was dedicated to matrimonials, mostly. And in Marathi. So we wrote out an ad for a potential partner for me and published it in the mag.
In the meantime, also looked at ads from girls who wanted grooms. One or two were shortlisted with help from my aunt in whose house we were staying. So happened that we visited my wife-to-be and her parents for a cup of tea, after answering an ad. That was in Nagar Road, some distance away. I went for a walk with Anu to the Aga Khan Palace opposite their place. We chatted, and decided on a next 'date' for lunch in the Camp area. And I popped the question, and got a yes.
We came back, and announced our decision. That led to a frenzy. We got engaged, got married and got her a visa to go back with me! All in a space of two months, maybe a bit more.
It helped that her Mom was a doctor like mine, and they also got along. We also had a common friend, Abhay Temurnikar, who knew my parents as his parents had worked in the same company in Andhra Pradesh.
All's well that ends well.. or goes on .. this wedding was in 1988. At her place in Pune.
Sanjana Rao was a student I met at Indore when she was doing her 5 year IPM. She took one of my classes too. But she was also a friend who has remained in touch many years later. Sow hen she was getting married, we had to be there. My wife also knew her because of the preps. for a play The Importance of Being Earnest, where Sanjana acted, Shweta Kushal directed and we all played support roles of encouraging the actors, backstage. She acted like a pro.
WE had a great time with her at the pre-wedding bash at her house, and at the wedding itself. Here's pictorial proof. Met her friend Nikhila from school in Pune also. She features in some pics too.
I am amazed at the patience that parents have in organising elaborate weddings. I am not complaining, just observing. Went to a 2-day affair at Coimbatore, where the bride resides. We represented the groom, son of our friend Ravi of Calicut fame. Some pics from the event. Ran into some old students, and made new acquaintances too.. the wedding had some Bengali, Kannada and Arya Samaj touches, and of course, a Mehendi and Sangeet.
Not blues, because it wasn't my wedding! On tour to Mumbai, managed to attend a friend's son's wedding. It was in Juhu area, at the Sea Princess Hotel. And a sangeet/cocktails at The Club in Andheri West.
Tushar Gandhi was the friend, whose son Mihir was marrying his long time friend Devika. These are some pics from the proceedings, and us posing away.
Signs to choose from.
I graduated from IIM B with an MBA in 1984. That's close to 40 years ago. School, 1977. College of engineering, 1982. Therefore, it's not very surprising that everything is moving towards jubilees. But my marriage anniversary is relatively young- only 35 years! Happened yesterday.
It was an arranged marriage, through a Marathi mag. called Rohini, that ran in Pune. We met through her ad, and almost immediately decided that we would marry-in 10 days! The wedding was a month later, on June 26th. Quite a lot of friends attended, despite the short notice, from Mumbai and Pune. The Turf Club was the venue of the wedding reception. I remember wearing a jacket for that! The marriage was a simpler affair, for me, wearing a kurta and pyjama.
Pics of some stops along the way, in the U.S. and in India..
Rhythm Entertainment staged a music show yesterday at Balgandharva Hall, Pune. It was good, featuring Sanjeev Tanksali and Vaiju Chandavale...
