Over 40K Tamil Brahmin bachelors could not find matches; to scout for brides in UP, Bihar

As more than 40,000 young Tamil Brahmin men are finding it difficult to find brides within state, Tamil Nu-based association for Brahmins has launched a special drive to look for suitable matches belonging to same community in Uttar Presh and Bihar.

"We have launched a special movement on behalf of our Sangam," said Thamizhnu Brahmin Association (Thambraas) president N Narayanan in an open letter published in association's monthly Tamil magazine's November issue.

Quoting rough estimates, Narayanan said more than 40,000 Tamil Brahmin men, in age group of 30-40, could not get married as y are unable to find brides from within Tamil Nu.

Giving a ballpark figure, he said, "if re are 10 Brahmin boys in marriageable age group, only six girls are available in marriageable age group in Tamil Nu."

association chief, in his letter said coordinators would be appointed in Delhi, Lucknow and Patna to take forward initiative.

Asked on move, Narayanan said a person who can re, write and speak in Hindi would be appointed at association's hequarters here to perform coordination role.

Thambraas chief told PTI that he is in touch with people in Lucknow and Patna ding initiative is practicable. "I have commenced work in this regard," he said.

While several Brahmin people welcomed move, re were also or views from within community.

An educationist, M Parameswaran said, "though enough number of Tamil Brahmin girls are not available in marriageable age group, that is not one and only reason for boys not being able to find brides."

He wondered why parents of prospective bridegrooms expect 'pomp and show' in weddings.

"Why parents of boys want marriages to be held in swanky marriage halls? What stops m from conducting marriage in a simple fashion? Why not in a temple or at home,? he asked.

'Mahaperiyava' preached simplicity in every walk of life and vised people to not use silk cloth, Parameswaran said.

Mahaperiyava, Mahaswami and Paramacharya are reverential references to late Shankaracharya, Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi (1894-1994), 68th pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, also known as Shankara Math.

Parameswaran said girl's family has to bear entire expenditure of conducting wedding and it is bane of Tamil Brahmin community.

"Big, fat weddings have become a status symbol and it is very unfortunate. community must choose progression and reject retrogression." he said.

"Even in this day and age, Tamil Brahmin marriages stretch to two to three days, which includes reception, and or pre and post-wedding ceremonies."

total expenditure, including jewellery, rent for marriage hall, spendings on food and gifts would easily work out to at least Rs 12-15 lakh se days, he said.

"Undoubtedly, this is a huge economic burden for bride's family. While some will be spending ir lifetime savings, ors will be debt-ridden for rest of ir lives."

"Here, we are not talking about those who can afford to spend. problem is, such wealthy people are setting a benchmark and society wants it to be emulated even by people who cannot afford it. worst-hit are middle class, lower middle class and poor Brahmins."

"I personally know poor Brahmin families struggling for years to mop up funds for marriage of ir daughters. If well to do people are rey to discard ir ego, y can find brides in Tamil Nu. Only n, y can claim to be followers of dharma as enunciated by our sages and scriptures."

solution lies in being progressive and marriage ceremonies should be absolutely simple in sync with times, Parameswaran said and pointed out that some customs, though do not have express religious sanction, are continued that cause practical difficulties.

Parameswaran has served in educational institutions in sourn and western parts of country.

A Ajay, a young man on lookout for a bride, said, "it is now not uncommon to see Tamil-Telugu Brahmin marriages or weddings between Kanna speaking Mhwas and Tamil speaking Smarthas. Something like this is unimaginable several deces ago."

"Alrey, we have seen arranged marriages between north Indian and Tamil Brahmins," he said.

Mhwa Brahmins are a Vaishnavite sect and followers of Sri Mhwacharya. Smarthas, also known as 'Iyers' in Tamil Nu accept worship of all deities and are followers of Sri i Shankara.

A Vaishnavite Tamil Brahmin, who did not want to be named said, "Years ago, even marriages between nkalai and Vakalai sects in Iyengar community was impossible. Today, it is happening and this move of association is welcome." 

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