When I got married to the son of a family with a dozen siblings, I was always asked, “ How could you agree to get married into such a big family?” Strangely, it never has been or is an issue. Because I had my own conditions to my father before I agreed to an alliance – that the boy should be an Engineer ( But of course :-D ), that he should be tall and good looking and he should not be from North Karnataka, he should not be remotely connected to North Karnataka, in fact he should not have even drank the water from North Karnataka ( With due apologies to “ಉತ್ತರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಮಂದಿ ” )
Hello! Hold on before you call me racist. I am proud to be from North Karnataka, a region rich in culture and humanity, a region where people matter more than money, where people are strong, may be with rough lingo but with a soft inner nature belying their sort of ruffian demeanour. But ask any – ahem – beautiful girl born and brought up in North Karnataka region what she hates about her place and pat comes the reply – EVE TEASING.
It is so wild and rampant that those ruffians don't think twice before misbehaving with you even when you are with your parents, brother or even with your spouse. Even today I shudder thinking about their rowdyism and lecherous grin. So it was obvious that I make the above statement and on my wedding day my father complimented me with a wide grin “ ನೋಡಮ್ಮ ಉತ್ತರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ನೀರು ಕೂಡ ಕುಡಿಯದಿರೋ ಹುಡುಗನ ಜೊತೆ ಮದುವೆ ಮಾಡಿದೀನಿ ..."
And when I first met my would be mother-in-law, I was sort of bemused because she looked like yesteryear actress Leelavathi, wearing silk saree, draping a shawl around her shoulder and strings and strings of gold adorning her neck. She always carries herself with dignity and grace and believe me, even now when she is about to celebrate her hundredth birthday, she is so conscious of her looks,presentation when she has visitors. It would be altogether an interesting and captivating account of my association with her for the past quarter century, which I hope to record here one day.
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But for the present, my MIL is turning a centurion and its going to be a grand memorable event. Her family spread across the globe comprises of about 80 people of first circle – here I have not added her parents' or in-laws' family but only her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren – yes her grand daughter has a grandson now – and their spouses! Late N Ananthachar, my father-in-law has been respected and revered everywhere for being the founder of APS Educational Institutions, but there is no denying of this lady being behind that very successful man. She is as much, if not more, as Sri. N. Ananthachar , responsible for building these huge philanthropic educational Institutions.
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And we are having a whale of a time making preparations for the grand occasion. Who can deny the pleasure one has while going on shopping with one's husband's money to buy silk sarees? And accessories? And have tete-e-tete with food ordered from every possible eatery? OK OK we spent some of their money on buying them identical Ramaraj shirts as per their dress code – of course as decided by us :-D – And the grandchildren are not far behind. They too have their group – cousins – and are checking out different malls and eateries – making plans of their attires and the grand evening party at 1947 :-D
All the family members – all the 80 of them are hosts -to around 100 of the relatives of Late Sri N Ananthachar and Smt.Narmada Bai, to a traditional Homa and luncheon in the afternoon and a grand party in the evening.
What is the immediate upcoming event? A potluck party of youngsters at Anils' on Sunday, followed by a chats party – courtesy Amruthu – and a Mehendi on Friday, before the BIG DAY on March 9 th!
Keep watching this space for latest updates!!!
