Short Story: Tihili’s Wedding (Originally written by Mallipuram Jagdish in Telugu as టిహిలి కి పెళ్ళి/Tihili ki Pelli and translated by Sowmya V.B)

Sowmya V.B. translates a powerful story from Telugu that captures a traditional Savara wedding and the chaos that ensues in any wedding.

Translator’s note: The story refers to different priests (referred to by their titles) while describing a Savara wedding ceremony. It may be useful to know that they all play different roles in a Savara wedding. Ejjodu chants prayers and organizes traditional and religious ceremonies. Jannodu is one of the village elders, who supervises such events. Deesari sets the auspicious date and time for such events. There is also a fourth village elder called Kaarji, not referred to in the story. Together, all four function as the village heads in their culture. The priests in this story are men, although it is possible to have women in those roles in their culture. 

It appeared as if the entire hill arrived at the village. The hamlet was drenched in the sound of drum beats, with songs playing from the sannayi, an instrument similar to Shehnai. Everyone in the village gathered to perform the traditional dhimsa dance, and the night was filled with colors. Every tree waved its arms, showering mother earth with flowers. Moonlight’s glitter offered silver threaded robes to the new couple. It was Tihili’s wedding!