Anirudh–Kavya Maran wedding puts Tamil Nadu's self-respect marriage tradition in the spotlight

The couple, whose reported wedding celebrations in Greece have attracted considerable attention, are said to have opted for a self-respect marriage rather than a conventional ceremony involving elaborate religious rituals. Their reported choice has sparked curiosity about a form of marriage deeply rooted in Tamil Nadu's social reform movement.

Known in Tamil as Suyamariyathai Thirumanam, the self-respect marriage emerged from the Self-Respect Movement launched by social reformer E.V. Ramasamy, popularly known as Periyar, in 1925. The movement challenged caste discrimination, Brahminical dominance, gender inequality and social practices that restricted individual freedom.

Unlike conventional Hindu weddings, self-respect marriages do not require a priest, religious chants, sacred fire or elaborate rituals. Instead, the ceremony centres on the voluntary declaration of marriage by the two individuals, often accompanied by an exchange of garlands or rings or the tying of a thali.

The philosophy behind the practice is that marriage should be a partnership between equals rather than a religious obligation governed by caste hierarchies or patriarchal traditions.

The practice gained legal recognition in Tamil Nadu through an amendment introduced by the DMK government led by C.N. Annadurai in 1967. Section 7-A of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, as applicable in Tamil Nadu, recognises marriages solemnised through self-respect and reformist ceremonies, provided the statutory conditions are satisfied.

Under this provision, a marriage between two Hindus can be solemnised in the presence of relatives, friends or other persons through a declaration of mutual acceptance, accompanied by the exchange of garlands or rings, or the tying of a thali. The law does not require the presence of a priest.

Self-respect marriages have particular historical significance in Tamil Nadu because of their association with the Dravidian movement. Periyar advocated marriage as a voluntary union between individuals and opposed practices that reinforced caste distinctions or treated women as subordinate to men.

Over the decades, the practice has become an important option for couples seeking ceremonies based on personal choice, particularly those wishing to avoid elaborate religious customs or caste-based restrictions.

The Supreme Court has also addressed the legal validity of self-respect marriages. In a 2023 judgment, it affirmed that marriages conducted in accordance with Section 7-A do not require public ceremonies or the presence of a priest, reinforcing the legal recognition of the practice in Tamil Nadu.

The reported decision by Anirudh and Kavya has attracted additional interest because of the prominent families involved. Kavya is the daughter of Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran and is closely associated with the Sunrisers Hyderabad cricket franchise, while Anirudh is among India's most successful contemporary film music composers.

Their reported wedding has also drawn attention because of the Maran family's longstanding association with the Dravidian political movement, whose social reform traditions include the promotion of self-respect marriages.

However, the couple's reported decision to follow the self-respect marriage tradition and the legal formalities of their ceremony have not been independently verified. A ceremony held overseas would also raise separate questions about the applicable marriage and registration laws.

Beyond the celebrity interest, the discussion surrounding self-respect marriages highlights a distinctive aspect of Tamil Nadu's social history: a century-old reform movement that sought to redefine marriage around dignity, equality and the freedom of individuals to choose their partners.