In India since ancient times it has been embedded in its culture and religion that marriage is just not a legal union of two people wanting to spend the rest of their lives together but a bond deeply rooted in emotions and blessed by the Gods.
In other words—"marriages are made in heaven" and tied firmly by tradition.
To further seal this union there are certain symbols and customs acted upon since time immemorial, to give credence to this unwritten time-honoured commandment.
Among them is the wearing of the Thaalior Mangalyam by South Indian Brides.
The Thaali is a matrimonial talisman tied around the bride's neck by the groom to ward off the effects of the evil eye that may befall their auspicious union. Though not mentioned in the Vedic Religion which later came to be known as Hinduism, yet this quaint custom has its roots in the culture of the people of the region. It symbolises the love and loyalty of the woman for her man and the responsibility of the man in every which way towards his wife.
The Thaali in ancient times was a flat gold locket engraved with religious and caste specifications strung by a gold thread smeared with turmeric but as time progressed the Thaali too evolved and the gold thread was replaced by a gold chain. In fact the Thaali actually has three threads or three chains threaded as one into the gold locket at the bottom.
Earlier the religious implication of the Thaali was only twofold. The followers of Shiva engraved 3 horizontal lines and the followers of Vishnu etched 3 vertical lines in their Thaali design. However, the introduction of the caste system divided the design for the Thaali in Southern India and it now can be found in various designs pertaining to the various castes and sub-castes of the region.
Besides religious connotation the Thaali also had health properties taken into consideration. It was believed to regularize a woman's blood circulation and to have the ability to control the level of pressure in a woman's body. That is why it was advised to keep the Thaali hidden or covered as the constant friction of the gold with the body would result in these health benefits.
In India when a girl gets married it is believed that she not only weds the groom but is forever wedded to the family of her husband which she is embracing in wedlock.
Traditionally the Thaali is tied with THREE KNOTS, first two of which by the bride groom and the third one by the sisters of the bride groom.
The significance of this is mainly to take an Oath towards maintaining the united married life and protecting the family interests.
The first knot symbolizes the unity between the two with a firm commitment to each other through the marital bondage. This is amply borne out in all the rituals of the marriage.
The second knot symbolises the unification and firm commitment to her family by her husband and the third one, which is normally tied by the sister of the groom, is the reciprocal commitment and assurance of the boy's family to the girl's prosperity and well being and the progeny brought through this bondage.
The Thaali crossing religious barriers is also worn by the Christians of Kerala and they call it the Minnu. In certain regions of Kerala the Muslim women too wear the Thaali. The only difference is that the design and religious etchings are different.
This ornament is no ordinary necklace meant for decorating the woman. It is an extraordinary piece of jewellery that emotionally binds the love, loyalty, and commitment of the couple in its slender thread forever.
Despite the compulsions of modern times where couples step out of wedlock for specific reasons, yet the Thaali finds itself firmly placed around a bride's neck once again even if she marries for a second time.
Culture and tradition win over emancipation and western education!
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