Royally yours

67. The journey to Udaipur

Chaitra

Tonight we are going to Udaipur as our wedding is going to take place in the City Palace of Udaipur which also belongs to Daksh's family (not really but for the book please imagine so). Daksh and I happened to have the same place in mind for our traditional Rajasthani wedding when the elders asked us about it. 

My entire family was busy packing the required things for the wedding while my father and brothers were at the hotel giving some instructions to the managers on how to handle things or whatever they call it.  Dev bhai will be staying in Udaipur so it won't be a problem for him as he can give all the required instructions once we reach there about Hithu, it's actually Mama who still has the CEO post so he doesn't worry much about office matters. 

As I climbed down the stairs I was greeted with the sight of my Atha and Mumma packing all the sarees they bought for our relatives for the wedding. Once they saw me, Atha ushered me to sit beside her and I crouched down beside her. She kissed my forehead and caressed my face. 

Soon the married women started packing all the bags with the required things for the wedding and a few of them made raw rice from the grains while the others were making extra haldi for all the rituals. The men are tying mango leaves to all the thresholds and the decorators are busy setting up lights and flower decorations. When I asked Atha why they are decorating here for the wedding in Udaipur she said our home should look like a new bride for their chitti thalli's wedding and I didn't say anything after that.

Vinavamma toorupu chukka vinavamma
Vinavamma toorupu chukkaa
Vinavamma toorupu chukka vinavamma
Vinavamma toorupu chukkaa

Atha started to sing and all my Telugu relatives started to sing along with her as they continued to do their work simultaneously. 

Pellante noorella pantaa
Ededu taramulni kalipetidhantaa
Anukunte ayiponidhanta
Ee thantu swargalu jaripeti dhantaa

(marriage is a commitment for a lifetime

that binds 7 generations

It won't happen whenever someone wishes
But is a divine union planned by the heavens)

She caressed my hair one more time as she explained the beauty of the wedding through lyrics and I listened to each line attentively. Hithu just reached home and plopped himself on the couch. Nanamma made him stand up by his ear hand a glass of juice to him and point to the piles of bills scattered over the table urging him to clear them. Hithu gave a pleading look to Atha but she continued with her lyrics in reply to him.

Ennenni manulunna ententha ghanulaina
Ee pelli panulante nadume kattalanta

(No matter how much wealth you own or how great you are
You have to lend a hand when it comes to wedding preparations)

I took pity on my brother and helped him with settling the bills while the other ladies continued with their respective work and singing. There was not much to do as all the calculations were already done. We both just distributed the money to them. 

Vinavamma toorupu chukka vinavamma
Vinavamma toorupu chukkaa
Vinavamma toorupu chukka vinavamma
Vinavamma toorupu chukkaa


Vadlavaari bomma vainaala bomma
Vadlu danchavamma vayyaari gumma
Naa chetilo rokallu nalla rokallu
Cheyinchavamma chevarokallu
Veyinchavamma vendi pudhulu

(the doll of carpenters, a beautiful doll

Grind the rice grains oh fragile doll,

The rice pounder in my hand is black

Get them to work efficiently

Get them decorated with silver rings)