How does one find and snare that suitable boy? \u00a0It doesn\u2019t take long.\u00a0 If the stars are aligned and the moment is right, things have a way of happening.<\/p>\n
Matchmaker Matchmaker \/ Make me a match \/ Find me a find \/ Catch me a catch\u2026 The opening lines of the \u201cMatchmaker\u201d song from Broadway classic Fiddler on the Roof perhaps best encapsulates the process of husband finding.\u00a0 Today, however, marriage as an institution has more and more people shying away from it.\u00a0 The excuses are plenty \u2013 commitment phobia, a hatred of institutions, and non-conformity, to name a few.\u00a0 Over and above the modern interpretation of interpersonal relationships, there still exists the love for family and decisions that are made for the sake of keeping the peace at home.\u00a0 One of these decisions is letting our parents find us a suitable boy.<\/p>\n
Who is this suitable boy?\u00a0 What is he like as a person?\u00a0 Why is he deemed suitable?\u00a0 How do our families find him?<\/p>\n
A suitable boy, or an example of him, can be found while perusing the classified segment of any local or national newspaper.\u00a0 He is of a certain height, is financially secure, is astrologically problem-free and wants to get married.\u00a0 Once contact has been established, horoscopes are exchanged, discreet enquiries made into the boy\u2019s character and social background.\u00a0 If horoscopes match, then pictures are exchanged.\u00a0 If the picture exchange is a success, i.e., the girl and boy like how the other looks, arrangements are made for the families to meet.<\/p>\n
It is at this juncture that things get interesting.\u00a0 It is not a situation that encourages full disclosure.\u00a0 In fact, disclosure of any kind could lead to potential disaster.\u00a0 The idea is that if things have been smooth thus far, then the alliance, as it is known in these parts, is perfect and the boy and girl in question ought to get married and live happily ever after.\u00a0 This is where the relatives get involved in assuring each side that they have made the right choice.\u00a0 (A parent doing the same is considered inappropriate.)\u00a0 If someone who is related to the family is doing the assuring, then the assumption is that, well, they are telling the truth.<\/p>\n
Once the girl and boy meet, under the watchful eyes of relatives, friends, and matchmakers, they are given a short window of time to get acquainted.\u00a0 In this time, they should be able to decide if they are well-suited.\u00a0 If a certain decision is made, then the boy and girl inform their parents.\u00a0 A few days later this decision is communicated and once again, if all is well, a date is fixed and somewhere in time before the wedding happens, this couple falls in love.<\/p>\n
When you meet a suitable boy, you just know.\u00a0 That\u2019s what happily married couples, who were introduced to each other by their families, say.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n[To be continued]\n
<\/p>\n
Image courtesy of\u00a0kathleenjoy<\/a>\u00a0via\u00a0Creative Commons<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s note: <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nFor other parts of this six-part Kalyanam Chronicles series, click on the links below.<\/em><\/p>\n\n