Seeking groom for a dead bride: A Karnataka family’s strange ad

Seeking guidance from elders, they were told that their deceased daughter’s unsettled spirit might be at the root of their troubles. To bring peace to her soul, the family decided to arrange a marriage for her – a unique and poignant endeavour.

To find a groom for somebody who died 30 years ago, the parents got an advertisement published in a widely-read newspaper in the district.

The advertisement reads: “Seeking a groom who passed away 30 years ago for a bride (sic) who passed 30 years ago. Please call the number to arrange a Pretha Maduve (marriage of spirits).”

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Despite exhaustive efforts by relatives and friends, finding a suitable deceased groom of the same age and caste proved elusive, say the heartbroken parents.

This unconventional practice underscores a longstanding tradition in Tulunadu – the region spread across three coastal districts of Karnataka and a portion of neighbouring Kasargod district in Kerala where the local dialect Tulu is spoken.

In this region, arranging marriages for deceased individuals holds deep emotional significance.

According to Tuluva folklore experts, the departed remain connected to their families, sharing in their joys and sorrows. As a result, rituals like ‘Vaikunta Samaradhane’ and ‘Pinda Pradana’ are eschewed in favour of offerings of food and the arrangement of marriages for departed souls.

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