~ Arrange Mariage & Dowry ~

Reading local literary masterpieces brings one near to their culture. This is a generalization that I have formed based on my experience of reading  tremendously culture and tradition oriented stories, 'Everything's Arranged' and 'A Question of Dowry'. These two short stories highlights the culture and tradition of Indian in Malaysia and its complications.

In 'Everything's Arranged', Rukumani and Devanayagam loved each other very much. However, both of them did not inform their respective families about the new relationship that they are engaged in. Love among young ones before their marriage is forbidden in Indian culture. This tradition kept both Rukumani and Devanayagam to conceal their feelings. Later on , both families started to find suitors for their son and daughter. Accidentally, both families agreed to marry their children to each other with knowing that Rukumani and Devanayagam loved each other. When the truth is discovered towards the end of the story, both families cancelled the marriage. This shows how important is family honour in Indian tradition.

Dowry is a must in Indian family. It is traditionally offered by the bride's family to the groom as a gift. Some grooms are very demanding and fixed the dowry while some are not. In 'A Question of Dowry', Sivasothie's marriage is cancelled because the groom was not contented with the dowry offered to him. Mr.Ramachandran, Sivasothie's father failed to offer a good plot of land to his future son in law, Thiruchelvam. this failure leads to another failure that is the Sivasothie's wedding.

Arrange marriage and dowry is a must in Indian tradition. This customs started long a time ago and breathes till today. It a blasphemous to have a love marriage. It is taboo for a female and male to love before their marriage. Parents are the decision makers of their children's lives. I feel this to be unfair as children's interest and suggestions to be taken into account by parents. Children must be given the liberty to decide what they want. Situation has improved a little today. There are space for love marriage and wedding without dowry. I don't mean to condemn arrange marriage and dowry but both have a limit. Some extremists have really given me a bad impression on this topic and they deserved to be blamed for the mess they have made.