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3.7.3.2 Feeding with Special Pudding (Ichappad)

Once the groom, with the cross on his neck, is back in the Pandal
after his bath, he is seated facing east. His sister appears with a Koluvilakku
(a metal lamp with a handle) which she places on a special stool. Then she
brings Ichappad (a plate of sweet white rice pudding and sugar of a brown
colour). And an elder (usually the grrom’s paternal uncle) will, after having
obtained formal verbal permission from the assembly (see 3.6.1.2), give the
groom Ichappad three times. With his right hand he feeds the groom, while
with his left hand he reverently supports the right one. One or three elders
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may give Ichappad. This is a symbol of a sumptuous and sweet life. With
this ceremony the day comes to an end.
3.7.3.3 Smearing the Bride with Henna (Mylanchi ideel)

The eve of the marriage is also celebrated at the bride’s house with
the same solemnity that occurred in the Chantham Chārthal at the groom’s
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house. This ceremony is known as Mylanchi ideel (the ceremonial
smearing with Henna), which signifies ceremonial purification. The palms,
feet, and nails of the bride are smeared with a special yellow ointment called
Mylanchi (paste of Henna leaves). This is a ceremony which is also found
among various tribes of Hindus, Muslims and Jews.

After the ceremonial bath, the Knānite bride comes to the Pandal
accompanied by her elder sister or paternal aunt. She is seated in front of her
grandmother, who puts special ointment on her palms and feet, while her
nails are painted with the red juice of the Henna shrub. During this
anointing and painting, the women sing special hymns (Mylanchi
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Songs/Hymns). This ritual is the sign of sexual attraction and fecundity.
Though the main purpose of this ceremony is to beautify the bride, the song
which accompanies the ceremony provides a Biblical meaning: Since Eve
plucked the forbidden fruit with her hands, the palms are smeared. Since
with her legs she approached the forbidden fruit to eat it, her feet are

42
Cf. VELLIAN, J., “Marriage Customs of the Kinanites”, in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Crown,
Veil, Cross, Syrian Church Series Vol. XV, Kottayam, 1990, p. 34.
43
Cf. Ibid., 18.
44 Cf. PULLAPPALLY, JOHN P. M., “Socio-religious Customs of Knānites” (Malayalam),
in J. VELLIAN (ed.), Symposium on Knānites, The Syrian Church Series, Vol. XII,
Kottayam, 1986, pp. 106- 107.
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Cf. PAYNGOT, C., “The Syro-Malabar Marriage”, in GIUSTINO FARNEDI (ed.), La
Celebrazione Cristiana del Matrimonio: Simboli e Testi, Pont. Ateneo S. Anselmo, Roma,
1986, p. 274.

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