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3.7.3.1 Beautifying the Bridegroom

The ceremony which is conducted in the bridegroom’s house on the
33
eve of the marriage is called Chandam chārthal (beautifying). This
ceremony is a particular custom among the Southist families. The term
generally means to make one’s body handsome. This takes place in two
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steps, namely, “solemn shaving” and “solemn bath”. The Knānāya
marriage gives important roles to the people of other communities, too. For
the solemn shaving the village barber is called. In fact, it used to be the first
shaving of the groom (when marriageable age was much lower than it is
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today), indicating his entry into adulthood, as a preparation for marriage.
For this ceremony, friends, relatives and neighbours are gathered in
the nuptial pavilion (pandal). The brother-in-law of the groom leads him to
a stool which is first covered with a woollen cloth and then a white linen
cloth. The barber asks formal permission from the assembly, reminding
them of their superiority (See 3.6.1.2), cuts the groom’s hair and shaves his
face. During this time, the assembly prayerfully sings the hymn of
Beautification (song of Chandam chārthu) which begins as:

By the Blessing of our Lord Jesus
The close and loving relations
The venerable and elderly members of the locality
The father, uncle, the neighbours,
Chose as auspicious day
In the presence of Lord Jesus the boy was beautified

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(From the Song of Chandam chārthu)
The barber then takes the groom outside the pavilion to pour oil on
his head and send him for a bath. The assembly during this time sings the

33 Cf. VELLIAN, J., “Marriage Customs of the Kinanites”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Crown,
Veil, Cross, Syrian Church Series Vol. XV, Kottayam, 1990, p. 33.
34 Cf. EDAKALATHUR, L., The Theology of Marriage in the East Syrian Tradition,
Pontificium Institutum Orientale, Roma, 1994, p. 154.
35 Today, shaving is performed in a more symbolic sense, due to the greater maturity of the
groom.
36 Cf. LUKAS, P. U., Malayālatte Suriyāni Kristyānikalute Purātanappāttukal (Ancient
th
songs of the Syrian Christians of Malayalam, 1910), 7 Edition, Jyothi Book House,
Kottayam, 1992, p. 4. English Translation, J. VELLIAN, Knānite Community History and
Culture, Syrian Church Series Vol. XVII, Jyothi Book House, Kottayam, 2001, p. 71.

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