Shalini and Dennis - July 28, 2002
Shalini and Meena
The four pictures above are in various stages of Dennis and Shalini coming into the wedding.
Shalini putting wedding garland on Dennis
Dennis putting wedding garland on Shalini
Kannika Danam - The giving away to the groom by the father (and in this case the mother also)
Thalikettu - The groom's sister, Debbie helps put the necklace (thali) on Shalini
Panigraham- Dennis and Shalini walking around the holy fire holding hands vowing to strive for a harmonious life together
Here we are! Married again, Indian style
!
Groom's mother, Patricia, feeding milk and bananas to her son
Our friend, (and groomsman) Mike, that Dennis met while at Baylor.
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A Sequence of the Day's Events
Shalini Meena Nair and Dennis Allan Kaiser, Jr.
Sunday, July 28, 2002
DFW Hindu Temple / Cultural Center Hall
Irving, Texas
ARRIVAL OF THE GROOM
The groom�s party is received by thalappoli (lamp bearers) and the groom is welcomed by the brother of the bride (if there is no brother, then male cousin), followed by the placing of a garland on the groom as a symbol of auspiciousness.
ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDE
The bride is greeted by her mother and she proceeds towards the mandapam, also led by the thalappoli, accompanied by her parents, and other family members.
EXCHANGE OF THE GARLANDS
The bride and the groom exchange flower garlands, as representative of their acceptance of each other.
KANNIKA DANAM
Performed by the father of the bride, this step symbolizes the giving away of the bride to the groom and his family. According to Hindu Scripture, there is no greater gift than kannika danam.
THALIKETTU
The groom ties the Thali (Mangalya � the sacred necklace; the most auspicious symbol of marriage) around the bride�s neck, assisted by his sister as a token of welcoming the bride into the family.
MOTHIRAM MARAL ( This step had already happened the day before at the Catholic Ceremony)
Rings are exchanged by the bride and groom, and as in many cultures, is symbolic of the eternal love they will share from now on as husband and wife.
PUDAVA KODUKKAL
The groom presents a sari, the traditional garb of Indian women, to the bride. This act is symbolic of the groom�s commitment to protect and provide for his new wife.
PANIGRAHANAM
The bride and the groom hold hands and in the presence of the holy fire and elders as witnesses, vow to always strive for a harmonious life together.
The couple are then seated and offered sanctified milk and fruits (paalum/pazhavum) by the parents and elders as their first meal.
Here are some of the people that made the day awesome!
Parents of the Bride ����������... Vasu and Meena Nair
Parents of the Groom ������...�. Dennis and Patricia Kaiser
Sister of the Groom (helped tie thali) ----------- Deborah Troiano
Emcee: Ms. Rajani Nair������������Cousin of the Bride
DJ : Mr. Shankar Nair ( aka ShankMaster Flex) ... Cousin of the Bride
Thalappoli (lamp bearers)
Mrs. Alli Nair�����������������Aunt of the Bride
Ms. Rathi Nair������������� ��� Sister of the Bride
Ms. Stephanie Ellis��������������Friend of the Bride
Ms. Connie Townsend��������������Friend of the Bride
Ms. Anjana Nair���������������Cousin of the Bride
Welcoming the Groom
Miss Priya Chirayil��������������Friend of the Bride
Miss Sapna George��������������Friend of the Bride
Miss Devi Nair���������������� Friend of the Bride
Miss Lakshmi Radhakrishnan����������Friend of the Bride
Miss Remya Menon ��������������Friend of the Bride
Aunts that helped the Bride get ready : Beena Nair, Sujatha Gopinathan, Thankum Chechi
Friends of the Groom : Jim Marshall, Jeremy Puryear, Mike Mellon, and Brother-in-law: Mark Troiano
Shalini's best friend, Stephanie, and her boyfriend Stacy, from the Granbury days and beyond! Isn't the blue sari gorgeous!!!
Shalini's best bud from Austin, Connie. She looks dahling in the green and red salwar-kameez.
Shalini's Uncle Gopi, helping to set up for the Hindu wedding ceremony. He was present in India for many weddings that brothers and family in the US were unable to attend.
Shalini and her cousin, Rajani, who was also the emcee for the reception.
Arjun's sister, Rajani, Arjun, and Shankar (Rajani's brother)
Our beautiful cake, and the table was decorated by Mrs. Vinoda Kumar.