COMMERCIALIZATION OF MARRIAGES

COMMERCIALIZATION OF MARRIAGE….

Marriage is the approved social pattern whereby two or more persons establish a family. It involves not only the right to conceive and rear children, but also host other obligations and privileges. In different societies there are different methods of marriage. Talking about our Indian society, some of the societies allow a single male to marry a single female whereas in other societies a husband is allowed to have more than one wife. concept of having more than one wife,however was a past affair allowed in ancient India

LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF MARRIAGES IN INDIAN SOCIETY

It was only in 1955, when the Hindu Marriage Act, was passed that it became legal for a Hindu to have a legal wife. Marriage laws in India are to some extent also dependent on the religion in concern. Marriages with the matching of the astrological charts at the time of birth, with the help of the priest is  a common concept in our country.However,in the recent years, with the onset of “dating culture” in India, arranged marriages have taken a backseat. Prospective brides and grooms now choose their own soul mates. Hindu Marriage Act bans all kind of cousin marriages.However,it can be allowed by local customs.

CHANGING TRENDS

The concept of Indian wedding have changed rapidly.Previously,it was a matter of traditions and the ceremony was a brief affair. On the contrary, in the present time, the occasion is rather  an elaborate “big fat Indian wedding”, spending lavishly on the decor.Both  arranged and love marriages now receive equal importance,thanks to the liberal thinking of people!!.Wedding attire too has seen a drastic change in the past few years.Previously,it was all about “traditional attire”,and now it is more about “haute couture”. Its all about “be Bollywood” which no doubt is an effect of the Media.Weddingplanners is the new trend in Indian marriages.Previously,which was the headache of the family elders,is now handed over to professionals.The youngsters want their wedding , to be “the talk of the town “ or “ a trend setter”.

In the past two decades the concept of Joint family system too has been split up to Nuclear families.Along with the “changing trends of marriages” comes other problems as well. Number of divorce cases and family disputes are on rise these days. The whole concept of marriage as a “social institution” has seen a drastic change. It is more about “being glam” ,thus losing the real value of marriage.

COMMERCIALIZATION OF MARRIAGES

Big fat Indian Wedding.

Marriage, which was a sacred concept, is now a source to earn money and gain TRP rates for the leading Indian television channels. Taking a look at the “Swayamvars”, this is more about “publicity stunts” and less about the aesthetic sense of marriage. While media gains popularity, it creates false fascination among youngsters.

Rakhi ka swayamvar-aired on NDTV Imagine TV ,09 featuring Rakhi Sawant ,to help her find the prospective groom,actually did not work out.On screen she was engaged to a Toronto based businessman Mr.Eeilesh.However,after the show,they split up.The whole concept of “swayamvars” is totally fixed.Its all about money making business and less about the sacred concepts.At the end of the show the profit lies with the one who is featured and with the media houses.There is indeed far difference between what happens in real life and these shows.

Following this in season 2,of the same channel , Rahul Mahajan’s wedding stint was on air.Its really a mockery on the Indian social marriages.Lavish set ups in the Fateh Garg Palace,Jaipur involves lots of money.While India,is still a developing nation,such extravagances of the media houses is certainly a waste.Marriages on television are just a publicity stunt,with the gorgeous décor,royal cuisine,presidential suites,and haute coutoure.At the end of the show one hardly bothers about the couples featured.

Marriage market , in India being a vast market is where the media houses find it safe to venture in.Very few of these “set up” marriages actually work out. Followed by this was Ratan ka rishta. Season 4,is supposed to feature the most controversial Veena Mallik,lesser known for her movies and more for the “wrong moves” as a part of publicity stunt.At the end of the day , these “stars” walk out with a heavy profit whether they marry or they don’t,in reality.She is supposed to get 3cr rupees for featuring in the show and an additional 1.5cr in case she gets married.Marriage is thus being used as a means to extort money.Its purely business and thus a shame.

For the guys who are the prospective grooms, they are simply star struck. These reality shows are the perfect tickets to stardom. Reality shows of these kinds are perfect money making platform for celebrities as well as those aspiring to be.At the end of the day these” wannabes” do not actually come to get married but to get an easy exposure to the world.If such conditions continue,all our aesthetic values will degenerate creating a hollow India.