Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan’s wedding ceremony was an intimate affair, organized shortly so they may journey to London collectively. Whereas their households had no objections, they saved the ceremony personal, holding it at a pal’s residence as a substitute of Jaya’s household dwelling. Amitabh’s father, the famend poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, captured the feelings of the day superbly in his autobiography, In The Afternoon Of Time.
Offering extra particulars, he wrote, “Jaya’s household determined to not maintain the ceremony at their flat in Seashore Home however at a pal’s place on the highest flooring of the Skylark constructing in Malabar Hills, the place it might cross off unnoticed. We despatched a telegram to Jagdish Rajan to ‘include your loved ones instantly,’ with no indication of the explanation.”
Describing his son’s look on his wedding ceremony day, Harivansh added, “Amit appeared so splendid that his mom prayed to Hanuman to guard him from the evil eye. Earlier than fixing the bridegroom’s veil of flowers, I mentioned, my voice thick with emotion, that anybody eager to see his face ought to have a very good look now.”
He additionally mirrored on Jaya’s manner as a bride, noting, “Jaya was in her bridal adornment, and for the primary time, I noticed a bashful shyness on her face and realised what a selected facet of magnificence it’s. She was sufficient of an actress to have the ability to simulate shyness, however what I noticed now was very pure and actual.”
These observations spotlight the deeply emotional and conventional facets of weddings. However what do they reveal about human psychology and cultural perceptions of marriage?
The persistence of superstitions just like the evil eye
Superstitions reminiscent of the assumption within the evil eye have endured for hundreds of years, transcending training and logic. Psychologist Anjali Gursahaney explains that their persistence is deeply rooted in cultural traditions, psychological tendencies, and the emotional safety they supply.
Amitabh Bachchan together with his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan (Supply: Categorical Archive Picture)
“For folks, particularly throughout important life occasions like a toddler’s wedding ceremony, superstitions provide a way of management over the unknown. The assumption within the evil eye stems from the concept extreme admiration or jealousy can invite misfortune, making rituals or prayers (like Amitabh Bachchan’s mom praying to Lord Hanuman) really feel like protecting measures,” she says.
Psychologically, cognitive biases reminiscent of affirmation bias reinforce these beliefs. “If somebody hears of a mishap following admiration, they could attribute it to the evil eye quite than coincidence. Furthermore, social conditioning from childhood strengthens these beliefs, making them tough to let go of even in maturity,” she explains.
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The emotional depth of weddings for folks
Weddings are emotionally overwhelming for folks, marking each a joyous and bittersweet transition. Harivansh Rai Bachchan’s reflections on his son’s wedding ceremony seize this expertise — the place happiness is interwoven with nostalgia and a refined sense of loss.
Gursahaney explains a number of psychological elements behind these feelings. A baby’s marriage marks a turning level the place parental roles change. Whereas they are going to all the time be dad and mom, their baby is now forming a brand new main household unit. Mother and father make investments years into elevating their youngsters. “A marriage symbolises the end result of that journey, bringing immense pleasure but additionally a way of letting go.”
After the marriage, these feelings can form parental behaviour in numerous methods. “Some dad and mom wrestle with empty nest syndrome. Others might grow to be overly concerned of their baby’s married life, struggling to ascertain boundaries. Nonetheless, many finally discover pleasure in seeing their youngsters construct their very own households,” Gursahaney explains.