Fears Of Second Covid Wave: Weddings once again turn thinner, simpler

Recall any wedding in good old days, err, pre-Covid times. As fat as the purse of organisers, they would involve masti, band, baaja, baraat. Indians are known for their craze for big fat weddings, no matter what community they belong to. It is part of culture, what with their lavish, days-long events, sprawling venues, glitzy decorations and boisterous celebrations.

However, the unprecedented times of Covid changed all that. As threat to health and lives hung over any gatherings, all had shrunk and barely, a few guests, mostly closed ones, made it to venues, small and simple. Bands were out of question.

When it was all thought that days of grand, if not big-fat, weddings were numbered, came a wave of optimism that Covid effect was wearing out and vaccine were on their way. For last couple of months, one saw celebrations scaling up again and festive cheer in faces of wedding families.

Alas, it was for a short while. Worries over another vicious round of Covid, in a second wave, are again sweeping the city, with the effect that the Indian weddings are once again thinning, both in terms of scale and numbers.

Low-profile marriages are staging a comeback – a handful of relatives from both sides are solemnising marriages. Though weddings in traditional style with all the elements of Band Baaja Baarat are still continuing, most families are opting for simple ceremonies.

After the three months of lockdown, many Muslim marriages and related functions in the city were held during daytime, unlike earlier late-night ones when they took part in celebrations the whole night. And 'Nikaah' timing was also changed and completed by afternoon and the celebration ended by evening with close relatives.

One of the observers said "Since last week, the news went viral on social media that the city will observe the second wave of Coronavirus (which is not yet confirmed) and likely imposing of lockdown in the city made people anxious and yet again they started holding wedding in a low-key affair."

In one such case, a marriage function which booked function hall and were about to invite at least 500 guests for Nikaah later changed their plans and held the function at residence by inviting only close relatives, following a single nikaah ceremony at a local mosque.

"Winter has arrived, and temperature is getting colder by the day and people are catching cold and cough. This is causing uneasiness and, hence, I preferred a simple function," said Md Shujauddin, a groom who married this week.

"Who knows from where this deadly virus will attack us? We are going to organise a low-key wedding only, which is going to be held on December 15 with limited guests," says Mohammed Zafar, father of a bride.

Religious scholars and community heads have long been campaigning for low profile marriages and to stop large extravagant lavish weddings. "The Covid-19 pandemic has at least for the time being stopped the practice of big fat weddings.

People are getting comfortable with low profile marriages. Hope they will continue it," said Dr Aleem Khan Falki of Socio Reforms Society.