THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Soorya Krishnamoorthy needs no publicity. The cultural czar, who has been the patron of art and culture for several decades is in the news, this time, for his exemplary decision to avoid the pomp and spending spree during the wedding of his daughter Sita.
Sita, a trainee at the Civil Service Academy, is marrying Chandan kumar, her batch mate at the Academy. Chandan is the son of Dr Madhusoodhan Singh of Hajipur, Vaishali district in Bihar.
In the wedding invite Krishnamoorthy said he had always wanted to avoid the pomp and splendour like huge arch, gold, dowry and reception at his daughter’s marriage and to conduct the wedding in a simple manner at the prayer room of his house at Vazhuthacaud, here.
Since his wife and the groom’s family had agreed to his suggestion he was donating the amount he had saved for his daughter’s wedding to meet the educational expenses of 20 impoverished students for the next four years.
The beneficiaries, who are students of the Model school, Government Arts college and College of Engineering Thiruvananthapuram-- which had been his alma mater-- will be given the amount before the wedding.
However, he has invited all his friends and well wishers to his house and bless the bride and bridegroom on May 13,14 and 15 from 9 am-12.30 noon and 4.30-9.30 pm with the condition that the guests should limit their gifts to blessings only.
Speaking to Express Krishnamoorthy said not only his family but the groom’s family had agreed to avoid all pomp at the wedding. “It was a decision taken by the entire family. The `15 lakh meant for the marriage will be handed over to the principals of the three institutions. The ornament for the bride will be a single chain to wear the ‘thali’. Only payasam and some light refreshments will be provided to the guests,” he said.