Bantwal: Setting a new and rather meaningful trend, with the intention of creating awareness about protecting the slowly depleting environment, the people of Bantwal witnessed the unique wedding of Bangalore based journalist Manju and Vani, sister of environmentalist Nadamani Nalkuru.
The ceremony which was held at Ujarandi Palke in Maninalkuru village was an eco-friendly function with the venue fully surrounded by trees instead of artificial decoration. The roof was made out of coconut palms.
The wedding hailed the farmer community and also pledged to save Netravathi River.
All the formalities were a great display of the message to the society to save the environment.
Two days prior to the wedding ceremony, a pooja was performed blessing the surrounding following which the venue was decorated.
At the wedding, instead of showering akshathe or arishinada kalu (coloured rice) over the couple as blessing, new grains were used.
Fishing rings out of a pot of milk is a traditional ceremony which, at this special wedding was replaced with fishing the ring out of a pot filled with slushy mud water; it certainly was a crowd puller moment.
Kuvempu’s Mangalya Manthra was recited by the newlywed couple. Later, the couple planted coconut saplings at the venue. It was indeed a very special moment at the ceremony.
Pro-Nethravathi placards were hung on the trees and cartoons by Dinesh Holla mocking Yettinahole project were placed prominently. Shivaprasad Kannori, Kavyashree Ajeru and group performed during the special occasion.
Meanwhile, when the ceremony was on, environment related songs were sung in a small stage decorated with tree branches. Sharanayya Sharanu, a song dedicated to farmers and other songs on love for nature also entertained the gathering. A Traditional band was well appreciated by all.
Udaykumar Jyothigudde sang a pro-women song which was also meant to create awareness among the people. Later, a book on Nethravathi was released.
Vanishree is the sister of environmentalist Nadamani Nalkuru who is actively involved in Youth associations and the groom Manjunath is a journalist from Bengaluru and very much involved in the same work as well.
The wedding entirely focused on saving nature, with nature lovers participating whole-heartedly providing a special message to all.
