The Mappilai Azhaippu tradition in the Tamil Mudaliyar community is an interesting one with its rituals. The word 'Mappilai' directly means Son-in-law in this reference it means the bridegroom, while the word ‘Azhaippu’ leans towards the meaning of welcoming or calling. In essence, this Tamil Mudaliar tradition involves the ritual where the groom is invited to the mandap where he is to marry his bride. However, the entire process of bringing him there is what makes it interesting and has a profound meaning to it.
What happens in Mapillai Azhaippu Ritual in Tamil Mudaliyar Wedding?
The ceremony starts off with a puja that is performed in a temple in the vicinity of the mandap. A grand procession starts out intended to invite the groom with celebratory crackers and the enchanting nadaswaram, an Indian wind instrument. The bride’s brother or uncle is expected to welcome the groom with a floral garland along with gifts entailing jewellery and rich clothing.
The brother or uncle is assisted by other family members of the bride who carry trays of betel leaves, turmeric and nuts for the groom. On accepting the garland, the groom is escorted to be driven to the Mandap in a decorated car with the procession following. In olden days, the groom was taken on an elephant with the procession following close behind. The idea was to “show off” the groom and inform the public of a wedding happening in the vicinity.
Upon reaching the wedding venue, the bride’s friends bring the bride out for her to grab a quick glimpse of her groom. The bridegroom reception is done by elderly women of the bride’s family who perform aarti for him and break a coconut to ward off evil energies. He is then escorted to the mandap where all other rituals pertaining to the wedding follow.
This ceremony also includes rituals similar to Nichayathartham whereby the families sit across and exchange the lagna patrika or marriage contract. This write up is read out loud by a pujari (priest) for all attending to hear and entails the names of the families, couple, date and time of the wedding. Silver trays consisting of betel leaves, nuts, coconut, dry fruits, turmeric and kumkum are then exchanged between families along with an array of gifts.
This tradition adds to the excitement of the wedding and allows for families to bond deeply as they proceed into the auspicious hour of the marriage.