Haldi Ceremony is trending in Malabar right now!

Mehndi ceremony is quite familiar to Malabar regions, though it’s not popular in south and mid-Kerala. Haldi ceremony was not familiar till a decade back. But now time has changed a lot. Following the footsteps of north Indian marriages, Haldi ceremony is gaining popularity in Malabar (North Kerala) nowadays. Through this column I would like to briefly explain about this interesting ceremony, where haldi (turmeric), a beauty agent is given much importance. Haldi Ceremony is called Manjal Kalyanam in Malabar regions, where Manjal simply means ‘Turmeric’.

Haldi Ceremony held one day before Mehndi ceremony in Malabar regions

One day before marriage, it’s quite common for brides to wear Mehndi in hands, and in north India, and in Muslim communities of Kerala, it’s a grand celebration. In Malabar regions, one day before Mehndi ceremony, Haldi ceremony is also held quite common, where haldi paste is applied to bride’s face and body. It’s conducted in groom’s house also. Earlier Haldi ceremony was followed by only those migrants from other south Indian states and north India. But slowly, Malabar has also welcomed this celebration, and made a part of their tradition.  

In Hindi, Haldi means turmeric. Turmeric symbolizes purity and has great significance related to Indian traditions. When a couple enters wedlock, it’s the fresh start of a new relationship. So turmeric is used to purify the body of bride and groom and beautify their skin. That’s why turmeric is applied one day prior to marriage and it’s done by close relatives. Slowly it turned a big celebration.

In normal cases, haldi ceremony is conducted two days prior to marriage, in the presence of close relatives and friends, and in big fat weddings, it may be done as a big event. Otherwise it’s done simple.

Haldi ceremony is a part of Kozhikode marriage ceremonies most recently

Haldi ceremony has joined marriages of Kozhikode regions in the past two years or so. It’s also celebrated in Malappuram district. Nowadays it’s seen as the starting point of wedding celebrations, and done irrespective of religious beliefs. This ceremony is held across Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities in these regions. Haldi ceremony is given importance in bride’s home. When Haldi ceremony forms a significant part of north Indian marriages, it’s held in Malabar regions just to add more colours to the celebrations. Thus it gives a new style of celebration entirely different from used routines of jasmine flowers and gold ornaments.

How Haldi ceremony is conducted?

As told earlier, the ceremony is held one or two days before the wedding. Bride wears yellow dress for this ceremony. She also wears yellow garlands around her neck, hands and hair. Gold ornaments will be minimal. Her accompanies also wear yellow dresses. Bride’s home will be decorated with yellow flowers and yellow coloured balloons. If celebrations are grand, yellow rice, yellow ladoo and jilebis and yellow serbat may also find their space during the ceremony.

The friends and relatives apply haldi paste on bride’s face and body. When Haldi paste made of turmeric, with sandalwood and rosewater is used in traditional marriages of north India, Vicco turmeric face cream is used in Malabar. The next day for wedding, it may not be easy to remove turmeric from body. That’s the reason why. If turmeric cream is used, it can be easily washed off before the preparations of Mehndi ceremony the next day.

Haldi ceremony reached Malabar through Gujaratis

During old days, oil and green gram flour used to be added to turmeric to prepare haldi paste by Gujaratis who call this function as ‘Peeti’. In bride’s home, only female members participate in the eve. Each person will be invited through songs to apply turmeric to bride’s face. The group cracks jokes and sings songs to entertain the bride during this occasion. In Malabar, haldi ceremony reached local people through migrated Gujaratis. In Malabar regions, they follow Gujarati style Haldi Marriage adding a few more elements, and call it as Manjal Kalyanam.

You can also witness a few new sights and ceremonies as a part of Haldi ceremony. That’s the reason why Manjal Kalyanam is quite popular in Malabar in nowadays.

Courtesy: Mathrubhumi e-paper