POWER OF THE PHRASE #1

You’re not marrying one; you’re marrying the whole family. [M_33]

Beyond the vows: negotiating family relations within the framework of an Indian marriage.

Discover the Indian cultural meaning of the phrase “You’re not marrying one; you’re marrying the whole family.” Examining the complexity of family relations in Indian marriages, this article explores the benefits and difficulties of starting a new family.

Photo by AMISH THAKKAR on Unsplash

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The elaborate brass thali (another name for the Indian meal plate), filled with sweets and savories, becomes overwhelmed around the circle of waiting faces. Priya, my relative, looked flittingly among her fiance, Rohan, and his noisy own family, clearly apprehensive. Her destiny mother-in-law, Aunty Geeta, grinned. “You’re not marrying one,” she said, her voice booming. “You’re marrying the entire family.”

First of all, when carried over, Priya quickly realized the fundamental truth. Deeply linked was Rohan’s own family, an exciting variety of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Their lives revolved around dining together, noisy celebrations, and a constant flow of opinions and advice…