11 unique ways how Assamese Muslim marriage are different from the rest of India. Let's check it out -
(1) Aangothi pindhuwa, the ring ceremony. From here the unique assamese Muslim marriage begins. It's a pre-wedding event, also known as juroon, which happens generally few months before the actual marriage. In this function, a ring is gifted to the bride by her mother inlaw as token of love and to officialy endorse the new relation.
(2) Maah-haalodhi and the bath.
Bathing this way is an age old custom of the Assamese Muslims bride and grooms, in their respective homes. It takes place just a day before Nikaah. Most interesting part of this function is the demanding of money by the childrens from the dora/koina( bride/bridegroom) for applying turmeric & moong daal paste on their face, neck, hands and feet. Earlier singing of biyar naam(marriage songs) were a part of it, but now it has been gradually disappearing.
(3) Tamuli, the funniest character of the event. He is the most unique character of any assamese Muslim marriage. A good friend is being chosen by the groom to accompany and help him in everything on that big day till the nikaah. After the nikaah his
duty ceases automatically and looses all his importance when the bride takes over his place and gets the first official control over her newlywed husband.
(4)For the nikaah, a gorgeous pair of mekhela chadar (a traditional assamese saree in two piece) is draped around the bride's body in a very beautiful style along with all kinds of traditional and modern jewelleries. For the groom the dress code is Sherwani and Paaguri (turban) for Nikaah making him feel like the most luxurious royal for the day. Next day a wedding reception is hosted by the groom's family where generally formal suits are seen wearing since centuries.
(5) Dora Adora, that is the welcoming of the bridegroom and Tamuli. It's the most awaited event for the kids of the bride's family.
Many a times, the bridegroom is asked to cut a ribbon at the entrance before entering the marriage hall. After this they are accompanied to the hall and made to seat in the most beautiful chair painstakingly decorated exclusively for them, where a bunch of kids surrounds to garland them, sprinkle rose water and to put aatar (Islamic fragrance) on his and tamuli's dress, followed by feeding them with milk and sweets. In return, the Dora and Tamuli both give gifts to the kids for welcoming them.
(6) Exchange of traditional trays(bota) containing Tamul and Paan (i.e, Areca nut and Betel leaf) happens only in Assam. This event takes place immediately after the preceding event of dora-aadora. Such is the importance of Tamul-Paan in our society.
(7) The Qubul hain time for other Indian muslim is "Moi Kobul korisu" for Assamese Muslims. Here, in front of everyone, the guardians of both the families ask the couple to announce it officially if they have accepted the new relation and in reply they quote the famous sentence "moi kobul korisu" meaning 'I accept'.
(8) Nikahor laddoo, Jo khaaye wo bhi pastaye aur jo naa khaye wo bhi pastaye. A motichur ki laddo is generally distributed immediately after the nikaak to celebrate and commemorate the union of the two newlyweds, followed by an extremely delicious lunch or dinner depending upon the time. The most favorite menu for any assamese Muslim wedding includes Kurma/bhuna pulau, parantha, chicken roast, kofta, kabab, fish fry and the likes. Kurma pulau and chicken roast are the innovation and gift of Assamese Muslim to the world. These two dishes are a blend of Iranian and Assamese flavor. Although these dishes are popular among the Assamese muslims, its not restricted to them, and is made by many today.
(9) After the nikaah the inlaws changes the bride's earlier dress with the new pair of mekhela chaadar, new jewelleries and new shoes gifted by them before she is accompanied to her new home.
(10) Dorai cake kata. Cutting the very beautifully decorated icing cake by the groom is the last most unique and happening event at the the bride's home. Here specially the girls hide the knife and ask the groom to search for it with a condition of paying a huge penalty if he fails in finding it, which he is bound to fail. After all how can you win over girls.
(11) After reaching her new home, she receives a warm welcome by washing her feet in a bowl of perfumeted water by the groom's family(mostly girls and children). In return she shower the entrance floor with coins of different denominations. All the kids jump over each other competing to collect the most of them. This is how she starts her new journey of life.
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
