Kalyanam means marriage in Tamil, a thing that every Tamil must do to carry on the tradition of the family. A Tamil unmarried man is not accepted and repulsed by society, you better become a Sadhu then ....

January is the month to get married in Tamil Nadu.

The Brahman priest speaks the blessings of Siva, the Creator, the fire impersonate his divine presence. Family and friends gather together throwing flower-leaves at the blessed copple sitting under a low canopy, all spots on them.

A marriage cost at least 1 lakh, about 100.000 Rps(2500 Euro). On top the parents of the bride pay a dowry, a habit still present in spite of the law. There must be as much people as possible invited to make the wedding a real succes. Often a family is put into poverty trying to marry all their daughters.

Lucky this tradition is slowly vanishing and with it the infanticide of female childs.

Yes it is a scan and I chose this above a digital for the colored atmosphere.