JOIN USAs I step into the marriage hall, I hear the song Bhangyada lakshmi baaramma being played loudly on the naadaswara. The sound of music amplified many a times over microphone is blaring and sounds cacophony. People around me shout at each other at the top of their voices to be heard making conversation impossible. But nobody requests the music party to tone down the volume. Then I notice that a group of youngsters sitting in a semi circle fashion with their backs to the stage (where bride and the groom are seated) are engaged in an animated discussion. I overhear certain words like job lay-offs, pink slips, weekend parties coming from them. Some elderly lady utters something softly to me for which I nod my head and she shows a bewildered expression! I move on. I select a vacant chair quite far from the podium and sit. Around me are seated fashionably dressed in chiffons and silks, some young college going girls chattering non-stop to each other as well as into their mobile phones cupping their mouth or closing one ear for better reception. I can’t make out what is it about. I give up and vacantly stare at nothing. Suddenly, there is a slap on my back and I turn around to see one middle aged man in silk kurta and dhoti beaming and greeting me. He pulls a chair and sits facing me and blocking the view of the stage! I quickly run a memory check but cannot place him. I pretend to know him but keep chatting in the reactive mode only. We are served fresh lemonade by caterers. I say it is refreshing and immediately the server pulls out his firm’s business card and thrusts it in my hand! My unknown friend leaves saying that he will return soon and we should have lunch together. Says if I reach the dining hall earlier I should reserve one seat from him and wait . It is a ‘no presents please wedding’ and so greeting the newly weds is only for close relatives and friends! Lunch is announced and people rush to the dining hall from all sides to grab seats. I trudge along. After a sumptuous meal, I wish the newly weds and leave. How many of us there did really witness the wedding ?