The Insitution of Marriage

Kamal and Kalsum with their friends

The institution of marriage marks the beginning of a move from Brahmacharya (life of celibacy) to Grihastha (family life). According to the Hindu world view there are three basic aims of marriage – Dharma, Artha and Kama. Performance of religious duties occupies the primary position in Hindu marriage where as the fulfillment of sexual desires comes last. A never married man cannot perform these religious activities and cannot sit beside the holy fire since he is considered ritually and socially incomplete. Marriage is the legitimate way of realizing the complete self-hood and providing the license to perform holy duties. Hindu religion defines eight kinds of marriage taking its nature into account. One of them is called the Prajapatya Vivah which the traditional arranged marriage system.

With Prof. Chua (saffron) and Prof. Hing (white)

I had no idea about the marriage system and ceremonies in other religious communities and in other countries as well. July 1, the marriage of Kamal provided an interesting moment to observe the uniqueness of the function. Just like the marriages in India, it was crowded with friends and relatives dressed colorfully with happy faces and bright smiles. Bollywood music, especially the selections of Shahrukh Khan, was amusing the atmosphere and people enjoying their Dam Biriyani. Though I missed the real ritual of marriage, I was happy to see the bride and groom sitting in the public and posing for pictures or meeting their friends and relatives. Wearing the traditional costumes of Malay tradition and holding a bouquet, the bride looked the happiest of all sitting beside the groom and posing for pictures. Though I have little idea about the significance of marriage in Malay and Muslim tradition, this is, for me, one of the happiest moments in human life.

Kamal-Kalsum and Ameer-Suriyana

Another unique and quite interesting aspect of this marriage was that both the brothers were getting marriaed on the same day. After the arrival of Kamal, his brother came with the bride and posed for pictures with friends and relatives.