No priest, no elaborate rituals: Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran's wedding has a special significance. What is a self-respect marriage?

Music composer and singer Anirudh Ravichander recently got married to Sunrisers Hyderabad's CEO, Kavya Maran, in Greece. Their wedding was a star-studded one, but now, a picture of the music composer tying a chain to Kavya's neck sparked curiosity. Dr T R B Raaja, IT Wing Secretary of the DMK party, confirmed that the couple had a self-respect marriage. What exactly is this marriage tradition?

Anirudh Ravichander and Kavya Maran's wedding was a self-respect marriage

Anirudh shared pictures from the wedding on Wednesday evening and captioned them, "My once in a lifetime, for a lifetime. 11.11." The couple looked right out of a fairytale in their pastel-colour coded attire. While Anirudh opted for a beige lungi, shirt and an embellished blazer, Kavya stunned everyone in a captivating lehenga. The wedding was attended by prominent personalities like superstar Rajinikanth, who is the uncle of Anirudh Ravichander, and former Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin.

Netizens quickly spotted a photo where Anirudh can be seen tying a chain around Kavya's neck, which led to speculations that it might be a self-respect marriage. Confirming the speculation, Dr T R B Rajaa clarified on X that the couple indeed followed self-respect marriage tradition.

What is a self-respect marriage?

Self-respect marriage is also known as Suyamariyathai Thirumanam or Seerthirutha Thirumanam, a form of Hindu marriage which is conducted without a priest or elaborate religious rituals. As per Intercaste marriage's website, this form of marriage was legalised in Tamil Nadu in 1968 by the then CM C N Annadurai.

Under this tradition, both partners declare their marriage in a language they understand, in the presence of friends, relatives or other witnesses. The couple can exchange garlands, rings or a thali (mangalsutra). Both partners must also meet the legal marriage age requirements, 21 years for the groom and 18 years for the bride.

Anirudh and Kavya's wedding reception on November 21

The couple's families will host a wedding reception on November 21, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi among those invited. Anirudh, one of India's highest-paid music composers, shot to fame in 2012 with the viral song Why This Kolaveri Di from Dhanush-starrer 3. He has since composed music for films including Kaththi, Vedalam, Master, Beast, Vikram, Petta, Darbar, Jailer, Vettaiyan and Coolie.

He made his Bollywood debut with Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan and also composed a song for Aryan Khan's directorial debut series The Ba***ds of Bollywood.