Sri Lankan Tamil Wedding
As a Sri Lankan Tamil photographer, there is nothing more exhilarating than capturing the rich traditions, vibrant colors, and profound emotions of a Northern Sri Lankan Tamil wedding. Each ceremony is a tapestry of cultural heritage, woven with threads of love, joy, and deep-rooted customs. Allow me to take you through the enchanting journey of documenting a Northern Sri Lankan Tamil wedding, where every frame tells a story of its own.
Preparation of the Venue for Wedding
In Jaffna, weddings are either held at the bride's house or at a temple. Nowadays, many temples have built wedding halls. In the past, having the wedding at home was seen as more prestigious. Large temporary sheds are set up in front of the house to accommodate guests. These sheds are decorated with white cloth, flowers, garlands, young coconut palm leaves, colorful paper, and other materials. A special wedding seat is set up inside, made from wood, velvet, bright fabrics, and glass beads. At the entrance of the house, plantain trees with bunches of fruit are placed on both sides. A table is set up with a "Niraikudam" (a full pot), traditional lamps, and other auspicious items. This full pot symbolizes prosperity and serves as an invitation to the wedding.
Gold Melting Ceremony ( ponnurukku and Kanni Kal Naduthal)
During the gold melting ceremony, the groom gives a gold coin to the goldsmith. The goldsmith melts the coin to make the bridal pendant. Elders from both families and the groom attend this ceremony. The bride is not allowed to participate, and from this day until the wedding day, the bride and groom are not allowed to see each other.Following the Ponnurukku ceremony, on the same day, Kanni Kaal planting ceremony occurs in both grooms and brides home where the Indian coral(Mulmurukku) tree is planted, symbolizing prosperity and fertility for the couple. After the ceremony, Athirasam(a sweet) is prepared and served to the attendees marking the happy day’s end.
Mehndi
Mehndi is applied to the bride's hands and feet, symbolizing beauty, auspiciousness, and the deep bond between the bride and groom. The intricate designs are believed to bring good luck and positive energy to the marriage.
The Mehndi function is typically held a day or two before the wedding. It's a joyous occasion that marks the beginning of the wedding celebrations. The bride's family hosts the event, inviting close relatives and friends to partake in the festivities.( recently Sri Lankan Tamil people adopt this )
The Wedding
The wedding is held in a traditional style, with everyone wearing traditional clothes. The bride’s younger brother usually acts as the groom’s companion, wearing a similar outfit. He goes to the groom's house with his relatives and brings the groom to the wedding venue.
A Hindu priest leads the ceremony, which is filled with symbolic rituals. The priest sits in front of the ceremonial wedding seat and lights a small fire. The ceremony happens in front of this fire, which is considered a witness to the wedding.
First, the groom sits on the ceremonial seat, and the priest performs some rituals. Then, the bride is brought to the seat by one of the groom’s sisters. She sits on the right side of the groom. The bride is given a new silk sari called the “Koorai.” She changes into this sari and returns. The rituals continue, and the climax is when the groom ties the nuptial cord around the bride’s neck, making her his wife. She then moves to sit on his left side, as per Hindu tradition.
Traditional “Nadhaswaram” music is played during the ceremony. At the end, guests greet the couple by sprinkling rice mixed with auspicious items on their heads. After the ceremony, lunch or dinner is served on plantain leaves placed on the floor.
