Single mom performs daughter's 'kanyadaan', photo makes the Internet happy-cry

A lot of kids are raised by single parents and we often forget to appreciate how hard single parents toil to make ends meet, to keep the child happy and much more.

Recently, we came across a beautiful photo that had been shared by hundreds of people. The photo stars a single mom, her daughter and her Australian groom. Talking about India and our customs, it’s majorly the bride’s father who ‘gives away’ the bride, the kanyadan so to speak. We’ll get into how regressive kanyadans are another day.

Widowed or single women are usually relegated to the background for despite all of our education, many cultures still consider them ‘inauspicious’. So while ‘traditions’ and customs dictated that she watch as someone else (a man, obviously), performs her daughter’s kanyadan, this mother took charge.

Sandhya and Sam’s wedding, with Sadhya’s single mom, captured by wedding photographer Varun Suresh tell us how times are changing and how beautiful human emotions really are. As Sandhya’s mom gave her beautiful daughter away, you can’t help but smile at how pure and innocent her emotions are.

Look at these pictures that tell you a million stories without the need of words:

 

Here’s how people reacted to the beautiful photos:

Here’s what Varun had to say about the wedding:

I was sure I would be unable to handle it all (this wedding shoot) by myself. That’s where I was wrong. Almost a year ago, Raji ( the bride’s mum ) wrote to me. She was at her affable best from the very first email. I was not sure what to make of it because in times we live in, good nature warrants suspicion. I must admit I was far too cautious. Finally the day arrived. The 4 days that followed wasn’t what I was remotely expecting it to be. I have been photographing weddings for a little over 9 years now and it is very rarely that a wedding overwhelms me with genuine happiness. The sheer extent of happiness that was shared and celebrated was humbling. Thank you for letting me be a part of your joy , Sandhya, Sam and Raji.

Life isn’t always a bed of roses, but you can always choose to make it better for yourself and the people around you and that is what Sandhya’s mom teaches us. Traditions and customs don’t make celebrations beautiful, people do.

Check out Varun Suresh’s blog right here.