Octogenarian couple says ‘I do’ once again

Ahmedabad: "Love finds a way, even when the odds seem insurmountable," said 86-year-old Mrudula Shah, as she smiled and got dolled up for her haldi and mehndi ceremony, 63 years after her rather simple wedding with her teenage sweetheart and husband, Harshad Shah (89).The octogenarian couple's love story began in the 1950s in a pol in Ahmedabad. Harshad, a Jain baniya, and Mrudula, a brahmin, knew their union would face resistance. Yet, their love blossomed.When winning her family's approval seemed impossible, the couple eloped and married against Mrudula's family's wishes. Even as they built their life full of love and became great-grandparents, the ache of estrangement lingered over six decades. But fate had other plans.Mrudula's nephew, Darshan Jani, and his wife, Stuti, not only rekindled ties with their family but also gave the couple something they missed — a wedding celebrated with loved ones. Harshad and Mrudula tied the knot once again on Saturday, at their nephew Darshan's residence in Shela and recreated their union with 150 family and close friends."Without telephones or mobile phones, we had our creative ways to keep our romance alive. From love letters hidden in books and hand-delivered by friends, to glancing at one another's reflection in a water tub, every moment was precious. I still remember how we escaped to watch our first movie in the cinema hall together," said Mrudula, recalling the bygone era.The couple eloped and got married with the help of a friend. "An author arranged for our wedding at his residence. My parents eventually accepted our marriage, and Mrudula became like a daughter to them. She has been my shadow in every step of my life," said Harshad.It wasn't until 2007 that Mrudula's nephew, Darshan Jani, learnt that his mother had a sister, his aunt he didn't know about. "I was shocked when my parents told me about my aunt and how the family cut ties because she married outside the caste. I decided to reconnect with her. Since then, we've visited them regularly," said Darshan.Mrudula grew nostalgic about her family home and the rituals she missed on their 63rd anniversary in Oct. Over a dining table conversation, Stuti suggested recreating the wedding the couple never had — with all the traditional ceremonies, this time surrounded by family.Mrudula's family made the wedding an intimate yet ceremonious affair with all the rituals. "She left home 63 years ago in a saree that cost Rs 10 and therefore, we ensured to take her shopping for her saree this time. My wife and I performed the kanyadaan for my aunt, and we will also bring her back home for the pag phera ceremony," said Darshan.The ceremony was designed to recreate the charm of a pol wedding, complete with décor by an event design firm. "Back in the 1960s, weddings were held at home, not in hired venues. We used banana leaves, gharchola, and brass water pots to bring back the essence of traditional weddings from those times," said Chandni Patel, co-founder, Kankoo Thaapa.

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