I bet very few in SFV would know Radhakrishnan (RK) and Anita; or, for that matter their son Aditya, my neighbours at 3194. Their movements are calculated to attract the minimum of attention. Wonder if it is genetic. If being confined to oneself is the hallmark of one’s enlightened life, this family scores 10 out of 10. This is not to say they are insensitive to the happenings around. They are very much part of it, but are best at deciding thus far, no further.
Against this backdrop Aunty and I were extremely delighted when, a few months ago, RK and Anita knocked at our doors, stepped in, asked us to stand together for them to prostate and take our blessings. “You are the first ones we convey the good news. We have identified a girl for Aditya. The family lives in Bangalore. We plan to have the engagement ceremony soon. Please bless us.”
Aunty did not let this happy news go uncelebrated. She dug out from the kitchen shelves some yet to diminish sweets, and shared with them along with coffee and A2B and Adukale snacks which we seldom go out of stock, even if Ratnadeep does.
This was months ago. Last Saturday-Sunday we attended Aditya and Pooja’s Reception and marriage. Sorry, I forgot to introduce to you Pooja’s family. She is a US citizen by birth. Her parents lived in the US for ages till Pooja’s father’s parents became too old to live alone in Bangalore. Pooja’s parents lost no time to shift to Bangalore bag and baggage. A son any parents would feel proud of. They are now here in Bangalore for some years.
Getting an alliance with a family where the girl’s parents were willing to make a relocation sacrifice at the height of his career in order to care for the elderly in India, obviated both RK and Anita the need for any kind of background check.
Back to the marriage, guess the venue? It was in Rajhans Garden, off Silk Institute. Though the road to the venue may not remind you of Rajpath in Delhi – where one sees the Republic Day parade, yet once you are in Rajhans, it looks nothing short of a wedding destination, though I have not attended one. I was told this is one such. Yes, apparently. When we were driving for Reception, we did not need any Google map. From afar we could see a high-end illumination nearly three quarters of a kilometer in length. And, after parking the car, we had to climb an elevation for a rather long stretch before we could join the mass of invitees. Good ambience, ample space including for car parking…
Sunder Rajan, Kamakshi Caterers, was entrusted with food arrangements. At the Reception the guests were entertained with a spread of starters, chats, and South and North Indian foods, and a variety of sweets. The dosa counter alone had ghee dosa, masala dosa, plain dosa, some other dosa, with different chutneys and sambar to go with. Rice items included pulav, biryani (?), plain rice, etc. Tandoor roti, phulka, mutter paneer and daal makhani were among the North delicacies. Desserts included moong dal halwa, rabri, ice cream and gulab jamun to top it. And, of course, different kinds of pan for the road. A nice fare, if only one can accommodate a sample of each.
Guessing that it is an early Muhurtam and many might prefer to have a heavy breakfast and drive back to their long destinations – Chennai, Coimbatore, etc. – rather than wait for lunch, a sumptuous fare was on the table. For the muhurtam meals, it was a mix of Tamil, Karnataka and Kerala delicacies, with eye-watering pickle that reminded one of Andhra.
Luckily rain chose not play spoil sport on both occasions, and waited till the afternoon.
The newly-wed couple, Aditya, working at the gym on double shift since a month, and Pooja, already slim and trim, looked very charming – made for each other or, ek duje ke liye. We know Aditya for his infectious smile, and Pooja seemed no less. We wish them long years of happy married life.
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