Picture for representational purpose only.

MYSURU: The Mysuru-based Vipra Paraspara Sahaya Samithi and Varanasi-based Kendriya Brahmana Mahasabha joined forces to find a solution to the shortage of Brahmin brides for community bridegrooms here. But it has come a cropper so far. Though both organisations have been trying to ensure matrimonial alliances between families from Mysuru and Uttar Pradesh since November 2017, no proposal has culminated in marriage.

It all started in November 2017 when office-bearers of the Kendriya Brahmana Mahasabha landed here for discussions with the Vipra Paraspara Sahaya Samithi headed by BJP leader HV Rajeev to seek if they could arrange some weddings. The two organisations were authorised to create a common platform to initiate talks of alliances between families from Uttar Pradesh and Mysuru. The main aim of the visit was to bring Brahmin brides from Uttar Pradesh for bridegrooms here.

Community leaders attribute various logistical and economic reasons for the failure of this joint venture.

Rajeev said: "As of today, there's one active proposal of bringing a bride from Uttar Pradesh for a bridegroom here. If this is fruitful, we can hope for more alliances between families of Uttar Pradesh and Mysuru."

He added, "The main issue is logistics. As parents from Mysuru need to travel to Uttar Pradesh to proceed with the talks. Another issue is the language barrier. UP families talk only in Hindi while our bridegrooms know only Kannada and English. So, for the alliance talks, we need a common platform and we're working towards it. The financial condition of Brahmin families in UP is improving and that too is impacting our efforts."

The Kendriya Brahmana Mahasabha has enabled 17 marriages across the state with brides from UP. "I wish this exercise will have better results in Mysuru too," Rajeev said.

Quite understandably, parents of bridegrooms are disappointed. They feel the failure of initiatives like bringing brides from UP, Jammu, etc will further worsen the crisis.

"My son is 42 years old. For the past 4-5 years, we have been trying for an alliance with families from Uttar Pradesh, Jammu etc with the help of organisations. Except for a few, no others have been showing interest to get married to families from South India," said A Vasu, a retired teacher from the city.

"If the bridegroom works in unorganised sector like hotels, temples, factories, etc, the families don't agree to the alliance. There is demand only for bridegrooms with white collar jobs," he said.

