Dalit Weddings: Unique Traditions And Customs

Dalit weddings have been portrayed in popular culture, including in the Amazon Prime show Made in Heaven, which depicts an Ambedkarite-Buddhist wedding. The episode, titled The Heart Skipped a Beat, features a Dalit Buddhist wedding and a Dalit bride, Pallavi Menke, who insists on a Buddhist wedding. This portrayal has been both praised and criticised, with some pointing out the lack of credit given to author Yashica Dutt, whose life is reflected in the episode. The episode highlights the caste chasm in popular culture and has sparked discussions on the portrayal of Dalit characters in mainstream entertainment.

In reality, Dalit weddings can be a site of tension and social change, as highlighted in the case of Sanjay Jatav and his fiancée, Sheetal, who faced resistance from high-caste villagers when they wanted to have a traditional marriage procession with a horse, a ritual reserved for higher castes. This example illustrates the ongoing mobilisation of Dalits against discrimination and the persistence of caste-based traditions in India.

Dalit Buddhist weddings are a rejection of Brahmanical ritualistic marriages

The episode is radical because it questions the idea of a casteless society, showing that upper-caste norms and the erasure of the Dalit past are still expected. It is a significant departure in Dalit discourse in mainstream Hindi filmmaking, moving from the portrayal of oppression to the assertion of identity.

In the episode, before the couple begins the wedding rituals in the presence of Buddhist monks, they pray to a portrait of Ambedkar, kept next to one of Buddha. This moment was particularly powerful for viewers, as it acknowledged that Dalit customs are distinct from Savarna wedding rituals. Some even hailed this moment as a rise of a “new India” where asserting rights and inclusivity are not merely an obligation but a sign of a modern-day development.

In contrast, Hindu Brahmin weddings are filled with chants and prayers, with a strong focus on the rituals of Hinduism. One of the first rituals is the Siddhant Ceremony, where the union of the bride and groom is approved by the Panjikar or registrar, who first visits a priest to seek God's blessing. The Nischaithambul Ceremony is akin to an engagement, where the couple exchanges rings. The Naandi Puja Ritual is a prayer ceremony that takes place 10 days before the wedding, where families gather to pray to God and thank Him for His blessings. The Yedur Kesani Ceremony is designed to help the women of the families bond, with the women from the groom's family being welcomed with roses. The Uradha-moorthu Ceremony helps the couple bond, as they grind Moong Daal together with the help of the bride's unmarried cousins. The Mehdi and Haldi Ceremonies are also celebrated by almost everyone in India, with the former involving the application of mehndi and the latter, the application of turmeric paste.

Dalit weddings are a celebration of Dalit identity and heritage

In the fifth episode of the Amazon Prime show Made in Heaven, a Dalit bride insists on a Buddhist wedding. This portrayal of a Dalit Buddhist wedding has been hailed as authentic and relatively simple compared to the big-scale weddings usually depicted on screen. Before the wedding rituals, the couple prays to a portrait of Ambedkar, kept next to one of Buddha. This acknowledgement that Dalit customs are distinct from Savarna wedding rituals has been hailed as the rise of a "new India" where asserting rights and inclusivity are celebrated.

However, this episode has also been criticised for failing to cast a Dalit actor in the role of the Dalit bride. The choice to cast Radhika Apte, a Maharashtrian woman, has been attributed to her class and identity, rather than her talent. This oversight underscores the need for more diverse experiences and perspectives in the media, and for more Dalit actors to be cast in substantial roles.

In real life, Dalit weddings can also be a site of tension and conflict. In India, Dalits, or "Untouchables", are the lowest of the castes in traditional Hinduism. Dalit people have been forbidden from using symbols of social prestige, such as horses, in their weddings. However, some Dalit men and women are defying tradition and asserting their fundamental rights by riding horses in their wedding processions. This act of defiance can be dangerous; one Dalit man was murdered for riding a horse, and another had to take his case to court to be allowed to do so.

Dalit weddings can be a dangerous affair

Another incident involved the murder of a Dalit man, Pradeep Rathod, who was killed for daring to own and ride a horse. These examples demonstrate the risks associated with challenging traditional caste norms during Dalit weddings. Dalits continue to face violence and discrimination despite India's constitution outlawing discrimination against them in 1950.

The portrayal of Dalit weddings in popular culture, such as in the Amazon Prime show "Made in Heaven", has sparked discussions about caste representation. The show's depiction of a Dalit Buddhist wedding and the insistence of the Dalit bride on a Buddhist wedding ceremony has received both praise and criticism. While it has been hailed by some Dalit voices, it has also been criticised for failing to credit the life of a Dalit author-journalist, Yashica Dutt, who inspired the storyline.

The complexities of Dalit identity and the lack of uniform customs further contribute to the challenges of representing Dalit weddings. As noted by Dalit feminist Shailja Paik, "Dalitness" is not monolithic, and the experiences of various Dalit communities differ significantly. The term "Dalit marriage" itself is a misrepresentation, as there is no single custom followed by all Dalit communities. Instead, they embrace different types of alternative marriage rituals, such as self-respect marriages and Satyashodhak marriages, which promote equality and liberation.

In conclusion, Dalit weddings can indeed be a dangerous affair, with the potential for violent backlash when challenging traditional caste norms. The portrayal of Dalit weddings in popular culture and the ongoing discussions about representation highlight the complexities and ongoing struggles faced by the Dalit community in India.

Dalit weddings are a form of defiance against the caste system

One example of how Dalit weddings defy the caste system is seen in the tradition of the groom riding a horse during the wedding procession, which has traditionally been reserved only for those in the highest caste groups. In many communities, a Dalit groom riding a horse can lead to conflict and even violence. Upper-caste groups often try to stop Dalit grooms from riding horses during their weddings, and there have been reports of crimes and attacks on Dalits for perceived "caste violations". Despite the risks, some Dalit grooms, like Sanjay Jatav, have defied tradition and asserted their right to ride a horse during their wedding procession.

Another way that Dalit weddings challenge the caste system is through the incorporation of Buddhist rituals and symbols. In the Amazon Prime show "Made in Heaven", a Dalit Buddhist wedding was portrayed, which received praise for its authenticity and simplicity. The depiction of a Dalit bride insisting on a Buddhist wedding ceremony, despite opposition from her upper-caste in-laws, laid bare the caste chasm in popular culture. This assertion of a Dalit identity and celebration of their heritage can make upper-caste households uncomfortable, as seen in the show.

Dalit weddings also defy the caste system by challenging the societal norms and prejudices that allow low-caste discrimination to exist. Initiatives like 'Operation Samanta' or Operation Equality in Rajasthan's Bundi district aim to help Dalit grooms ride horses to their weddings without fear of retaliation from upper castes. By tackling seemingly minor issues, such as the right to ride a horse during a wedding procession, these initiatives aim to break down the larger societal norms that uphold the caste system.

While Dalit weddings are a form of defiance against the caste system, they also highlight the ongoing struggles and dangers faced by Dalits in India. The assertion of Dalit identity can be fraught with risks, as seen in the case of Sanjay Jatav, where violence and retaliation from upper castes were a concern. Despite the challenges, Dalit weddings represent a slow but significant shift in the discourse on caste in popular culture, with increasing representation and visibility for Dalit customs and rituals.

Dalit weddings are a form of political statement

Traditionally, in Indian weddings, only Rajputs and other warrior castes were allowed to ride horses in their marriage processions. Dalits, once known as "Untouchables", were forbidden from using symbols of social prestige such as gold, silver, and new clothes. However, in recent times, some Dalits have started to defy these traditions and assert their rights, even in the face of violent opposition. For example, Sanjay Jatav, a Dalit man, fought in court for the right to ride a horse in his wedding procession and won, despite the risk of violent retribution from upper-caste villagers.

The portrayal of Dalit weddings in popular culture, such as in the Amazon Prime show "Made in Heaven", has also sparked debate and discussion. The show depicts a Dalit Buddhist wedding, which has been both praised and criticised for its handling of caste and identity. Some have argued that the show fails to accurately represent the diversity of Dalit experiences and that the choice to cast a non-Dalit actor in the role of a Dalit character undermines the impact of the episode. However, the show has also sparked important conversations about caste and the assertion of Dalit identity, with many Dalit viewers feeling seen and heard for the first time.

The very act of a Dalit wedding can be seen as a political statement, as it challenges the traditional caste system and asserts the right of Dalits to celebrate their heritage and culture. Dalit weddings, whether they are Buddhist, Christian, or follow other rituals, are a way for Dalit individuals to express their identity and demand equal treatment in a society that has often marginalised and discriminated against them.

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