THE TRADITION OF VOVIYO

It is characteristic that the different ceremonies of Mangalorean Catholic weddings are accom anied !" songs #$o$"o or %imeric&s' s(ng !" women) The roced(re is that one of the women* (s(all" an elderl" lad" who &nows the $o$i"os and the se+(ence of them* leads the song while the rest of the women sing ,$o$e- and then re eat the last $erse) The "o(nger ladies learn the $o$i"o this wa" and when confident* ta&e the lead and there !" contin(e the tradition) It is well remem!ered that in ancient times the wedding songs e. ressed $er" loft" sentiments and ga$e $ent to the feelings of the eo le a!o(t the marriage artners and their families* in$o&ing the !lessing of /od on them) The tradition was carried with them from /oa when o(r ancestors fled /oa and settled in 0anara* in the 1ednore 0ingdom of I&&eri Na"a&a d"nast"* who welcomed them and allotted land for c(lti$ation) 2nfort(natel" man" of these songs are now lost and com letel" forgotten) The few which are still remem!ered are recited to this da" at weddings) The $erses s(ng in o(r da"s ha$e !een com osed a few cent(ries ago* and arts of them ma" !e e$en older) Other songs are made ( !" the women on the s (r of the moment* and are as easil" forgotten as com osed)

D(ring olden da"s es eciall" in $illages onl" ladies wo(ld a l" roce and gi$e a good r(! es eciall" to the !ride* and the singer wo(ld !e singing-rosach"a $aana* ghatnno 3alo !o$* aang &ara mo$ amch"a $o&(lechem- and sing all &inds of raise of the !ride or groom)
ROCE VOVYO TRANSLATION (in Italic ) MAY NOT BE ACCURATE VOVIYOS MAY BE NOT IN SEQUENCE

A rosachi $atli* &asgran etli* r(3ai mai !etli* hea rosalagim) The roce brass plate is made by brass smith, our lady of rosary is here at this roce ceremony Mato$ 3ad(n* (doila &oir* sam 4(3en dilam doir* amchea ie3mani& The wedding pendal (matov) is swept and cleaned, Jesus has given courage to our yezmani A ros hadn do$orla $atlenth* ho&al rosa& !osl"a* modhem mat$am5th The roce uice is !ept in the plate, the bride is seated for the roce in the middle of the pendal A ros ross &adla * sar$oi s(ngrar(n* rosa& !aslea &(m$arn* amchi ho&al !ai "ure coconut uice is extracted; the beautifu ! dre""ed bride i" "eated f#r her r#ce$ Dim!i ami galeam* santa &(r( &adeam* &(r a ami magieam amchea 4e3(lagim #et us !neel, ma!e sign #f the cr#""% a&d 'ra! f#r (#d)" *race 6oili santa &(r(* d(srem &elam tesamw* 4e3(chem !esa(m amchea holea& $irst sign of the cross, then a vow, blessings of Jesus for the bride 1esa(m magon* ho&al !aslea !an&a* dist la$n sarga* 4e3( Morieacher %fter receiving blessings from elders, bride is seated for the roce, loo!ing up to the heavens to Jesus and &other &ary' 0ani galem thel* &a olim &adlo &h(ris* sargimcho 7e3( &risth ho&lea& !esa(m dith) (il is put in the ears, sign of cross made on the fore head, Jesus in heaven blesses the bride

0ani tall$e thel galn* !osaiea !am&a* ailo man th(&a* sargimchea De$a 1a a) (il is put in the ears, bride is seated on the bench for roce, first respect to you, oh) *eavenly father 0ani thal$e thel galn dho$orilem monni"e* !esa(m di ranni"e* sargimchea $ir3a mori"e) The oil is placed on the stand after anointing the bride, bless her oh) *eavenly &other A&ashim mod* narl &(!ear telacho &(ris ho&leachea &o alar +louds in the s!y, coconut on the tree, oily sign of cross on the forehead of the bride A&ashim mod m(nn* dharni& 3alea shell* lo!omgelea chalea&* &ani matea& thel ,ecause of cloudy s!y, the earth has a cold, oil in ears and on the head for the #obo family bride Aleachea doshi* sa&8richem mel* anch them!e thel* ho&elachea &a alar) $or ginger pudding, sugary syrup, five drops of oil on the head of the bride 0ani tal$ea thel galn sar$ai angio de$lem* a (r!aechem !a$lem* amchi ho&al !ai) The oil poured dropped all over her body, beautiful doll our lovely bride 0ani thall$e& thel galn* 4e3(& mar"am (lo* a r(!aieachi chali amchi ho&al !ai) %fter anointing the bride, let us invo!e Jesus, very pretty girl, our darling bride 9henn &oir &adn* nital 3alem nel* $o$lleam& galem thel amchea e3maneen) The court year is swept and tidied up, the yezmani also anointed some of her guests Am&$ar mai odi narl* mari magdelen &amti &ai* 7e3( mari mai* tegi ros lai -irgin &ary brea!s coconut, &ary &agdalene brea!s areca nut, Jesus, all three of you apply roce to the bride Madth odi narl m(n* mornel odi &ai santh e3a!eli saith cho$gi roce lai) &artha brea!s coconut, &ornel brea!s areca nut, .t' /lizabeth, all four of you apply roce A rosachea !a.iea* m(ieamcho hari * aiea$o naari* cho$gi roce lai) %nts have gathered around the coconut uice bowl% c#+e #& adie"% a'' ! r#ce t# the bride A ros ross &adla * &ona& samgon% ra,a +a*#& a+chea -e,u a*i+$ The uice is extracted .ith .h#"e 'er+i""i#&/$ 0ith 'er+i""i#& fr#+ #ur 1e"u" Ross &aadila* !aimchea (d&an* maiechea (tran* rosa& !esa(m deilam) The roce uice has been prepared with well water, -irgin mothers .on ha" b e""ed the 2r#ce) A ros roce &adn* do$orila !oshi"e 4e3(chea &h(she* ie3manin roce &adla) The roce uice has been prepared and placed in the bowl by the mother of the bride, as desired by Jesus, 9a&alim mal5lim f(lam san3ear !a$olim* alma a$olim* hea rosalagim) The flower worn in the morning withered in the evening, the souls of the dead reached at this roce A ros roce* e3manichea &an&nna* dhaa& 3alea atna* hanga roce m(non) The uice is splashed on the mothers bangles, the whole town has come to !now there is roce today A ros roce &adla* dheda $oll"acho* (!o ra$on olleita (th morieacho) Juice i" fr#+ #&e a&d a ha f c#c#&ut"% "ta&di&* a&d .atchi&* #ur 1e"u" Chri"t

Roce &adtea e3mani* moni dharlam tesamwm dhi maie !esa(m* sai!inni &osesaa(m) The mother of the bride has made a vow while preparing the roce uice, please bless her oh +oses &other :R(.ai m(7e ma"e* na&a &or(n& oice* &adel do$orn !oice h"a rosalagin) 0 my mother, #ady of the 1osary, do not leave us, ,ut ta!e a chair and sit besides this roce ceremony H"a /archo "e7mani &ain gaa gela* Cherela sait R(.ai ma"e& had(n& gela 2here the yeznani gone3 *e is gone with the cherel (palan4uin) to fetch (ur mother, the #ady of the 1osary R(3ai mai a"li* sam&"aa margan* lo!an gel"a $argan thi&a !as&a di"a &other of rosary has come from afar, give her seat as per #obo(5ai!) clan 0oses mai soiri* r(3ai* mai gharchi* tinnem &(r a dim$chi* amchea ho&lea& +oses mother is guest, 1ozari mother is of this house, she gives grace to our bride R( i"ache $attle !hangarache &es* mogacho roce t(7a mai8!a acho 6olden hair on the silver platter, this roce is with love from your parents A roschi !osi* dha$igi (7$i* oilo roce laitha $oretha a$oi th(7i* ,e the roce uice bowls on the right and left, first applies roce dear bride, your dear mother Nannden ghalam lonnchem 3aa$ ghaltha doce* a$oi (stha roce* ho&le nitt !oce %unts have prepared pic!le and marmalade, mother is applying roce dear bride sit erect (be attentive) Amchea ghara m(&ar* &elm!ean gala m(&o* dh($ea& &a3ar m(non* a$oi& lagla dha&o The plantain tree in front of the house has given fruit, your mother is worried because you are getting married Varsam !arlim m(non* !a oi &adtha &a3ar* atim na adhar* ho&lea a$oi& th(7ea $ather gets you married because you have come of age, but your mother will suffer as you wll not be there 9a&alim (to$n* am!ea m(lanth $imch* !irmoth chinth* th(7ea a$oichi) /arly in the morning pic! mangoes below the tree, ta!e pity on your mother and thin! of her !indly 1ithar galli mandri* !air $odina&a* &a3ar 3alom m(n a$ai& sodina&a) 7o not pull out the mat spread inside, do not forget your mother once you are married Ho&leag !ai* galeanth th(7ea !enthin* a$ai !arlea &anthin* dh($ea& &a3ar m(n) 7ear bride, scapular around your nect, your mother is sad because you will be missed after marriage A rose roce niDla $oil"an gallaith* sargim tha(mn ollaith* $oretha a7i t(7i The roce uice is strained the na7la, watching from heaven is your dear grand mother

Me3 almar &ar(n* me3ar dha$arla glass* sargar 3ala (llas* t(7ea a$aoi& # a7iea& ') Table cupboard are ready, glass tumbler is on the table, happy is your grandmother in heaven 9argimchea !ain&* aad gala r(&* e& galai dh(&* ho&lea a$ai& # a3iea& ' th(7ea) Tree stump is placed on the heavely well, shed one tear for your grandmother who is in heaven Ros"anche radni& lilin ser (tan* Voir odlin had&(tan Vo&le a$occhin* In the rosya coo!ing shed firewood is added to the fire, The bones of the mother of the bride are pro ecting, due to sadness as daughter is leaving Ros"anche radni& &at"anche og* Vishrana&a mog( t(7a mai81a aicho) In therosya coo!ing oven firewood is piled 7o not forget the love of your parents A rosachi $atli dha$igi (7$i* d(sro roce (stha $oretha modern th(7i ,e the roce uice bowls on the right and left, now applies roce dear bride, your 6od mother /(lo!acha r(&ha tall$er h(lla !ongo* (3$adacho &ham!o* amchi ho&al !ai (n the rose plant there has come a bud, light of the house is our bride 2de 2de disa* (dethana tham!so* sondremacho arso amchi h#3a bai 1ise, rise sun, golden while rising% +irr#r #f the +##& i" #ur dear bride A rosachi $atli dha$igi (7$i* thisro roce (sthat h#3 e +a4"h!# thu-# ,e the roce uice bowls on the right and left, n#. a'' ie" 2r#ce) dear bride% !#ur dear au&t" Vaad"anthle maanesth* a"l"ath hanga somesth* olle$n& distha r( esth amch i h#3a bai The invitee dignitaries are present, beautiful she loo!s, our dear bride Ye3mani !aa"e* mog th(3o g( ith* asa &itli "#bith% a+chi h#3a bai 7ear yezmani, secret is your love, how pretty she loo!s, our dear bride Hathanth !((l* chimtenth (d(* g(lo!aancho ghos* amchi ho&al !ai* .nuff bottle in the hand, snuff in my pinch, a bunch of red roses, our dear bride A rosachi $atli dha$igi (7$i* so$tho roce (sthath h#3 e a3a!# thu-# ,e the roce uice bowls on the right and left, now applies roce dear bride, your paternal aunts Tenne &onn "eta tha!she &o!a"echo* !(rg"a so!a"echi a+chi h#3a bai .ome one comes from there with red tunic, innocently beautiful our dear bride F(lam !ithor f(l* g(lo! 3adachem* &(tam $odanchem* amcha h#3 eche+ 1ose is the flower among flowers, wealthy family is of our bride Cho$ga chan !ha$ ho&lea* &a alachea thi5le* &(5larachea $a5te aliea 3alai di8$ea 8ou are sister to four brothers' $irst light one lamp facing your fathers house Ailea sairean&* atim &arina&a* 7e$an &elea .i$ai !ha$an& dhadina&a 7o not refuse visiting guests, do not send your brothers without a good meal A rosachi $atli da$igi (7$i* atam roce laithath $oretha dai7im t(7im ,e the roce uice bowls on the right and left, now applies roce dear bride, your relatives Hem /har so!ana m(nn &(rsa& a"lam an* oilo dila maan t(m&am dai7i"an&

The cross has a leaf to beautify the house, first respect to you, dear relatives /o$amcho (ndo* t( an tha aila* mogan a ailam ie3manin dai3eam&) 2heat bread warmed with ghee, yezmani has lovingly invited you dear relatives Dha aise dileath* s($iea& ani s(tha&* malgadea dh($e&* ie3mani &a3ar &adta) Ten paisa are given for needle and thread, yezmani is getting married his eldest daughter 6adri mees sangta* 4e3( Mariea $oir* thanim dilam dhoir amchea ho&lea& "riest says mass, esus mary above, they have given courage to our dear bride De$a !a a* de$a (tra* de$a o$itr athm"a* &(r echa disa e3man roce laitha In the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit, on this auspicious day yezman is applying roce A rosachea $atlea* motieamcho ghos* mogacho ross* ho&lea !a aicho) % bunch of pearls arount the roce bowl, with love applies roce dear bride, your father 1a&reacha masa* rosachea o5le !a oin &ello ( &ar* falea chint(n o5le) $or mutton curry, uicy pan ca!es, do not ever forget all that your father did for you' All the !elow Vo$i"os descri!e the father-s lo$e to his da(ghter; 6a$sath ie$n* (da& 7alem $hala* &ast a$lo !a5la* ho&lea !a oi t(7o) The stream has flooded with heavy rain, your father had many difficulty for this wedding, dear bride Hea$i &a3ara&* &item 3ala nast* !o$ 3alem &ast* ho&lea !a ai& t(7ea) The wedding has caused much e9pense to your father, dear bride 1ari& rem$* &agdar $araili* &ath 3araili* ho&lea # $areta ' !a ai& t(7ea) Thin sand spread on the paper, your father had to wal! much for your wedding 6ai.ean 7odlele* r( ian (n3ailem* d($eachea # (tachea ' &a3ara& !a ai& &arson geale) /arned much, could save only pennies, for daughters wedding father faced great e9pense Talem s(&le5lem* sala& !a$dem 7alem* talatachea sa$lea* !a oin $adailem) The pond dried, lutus withered, your father brought you up with tender care Amcho ie3mani* nesla cha&rachem (d$em* s(rea s(rieachem &(r$em* ho&lea !a oi t(7o) The yezmani has worn loin cloth called pudvem lover of toddy, your dear father Ailea5lea sairean& atim &arina&a* soro # 7e$an ' dilea .i$ai !a oi& dhadina&a) 7o not refuse your guests, do not send bac! your father without offering a drin! Amchea ghara m(&ar* chireancho dhoro* rinacho !aro* ho&lea !a oi& t(7ea) #aterite stone wall in front of our house, great burden of loan on your father Ie3manieachea ghara m(&ar* asa agor* $had asa adhar* ho&lea !a oicho) In front of your house there is a wall, you have great support from your father 6aiean& galina $han* ota& &helena aan* a.em &elem dh5on ho&lea !a oin t(7ea)

7oes not wear sandles on his feet, does not eat lavish food, this way your father accumulated wealth' 9a&alim &adlem d(dh#mil&' san3ear 7alem dho5em #c(rd ' sa&&ad lo& asa* ho&lea # $areta ' !a oi &aim< &ornings mil! curdled in the evening, every one is here, dear bride, where is your father3 I5 T6E BRI7E)S 5AT6ER 6AS 7IE78 9argimchea !aim5& #well' !angarache dham ne * $iggim ailem a o$ne* ho&lea !a oi& t(7ea) *eavenly well, golden lid, early came heavenly call to your father Ethlem saglem ason ho&lea* atam &item (nem* !a oi nathlelem* t(7em d(!lea 7inem) .o much is said, dear bride, fatherless life is very poor 1a ai na m(n ho&lea* na&a &or(m5& chinta* f(la sangdo maan* t(&a !aa$ dita) 7o not worry that your father is not alive today, li!e your father, your brother will ta!e care of you 9argar aslea !a oi&* &item t(&a tha5n # thirst ' (th dith dha5n # donate ' t(&a o is mees) 8our father in heaven, why is he thirsty, the son will give donation and offer mass to your soul Dha$ntha ghod"a* !andh$ila a5la* !ieana&a !a5la* t(&a De$ asa)))) $leeing horse is caught and tied to the tree, do not worry child, 6od is there for you UNCLES A99LY ROCE8 H"a$i mat$anth !a le th(7e mhale* t7(a !a aicha &aal* !a lo roce laitha In this roce matov pendal, your uncles are the match ma!ers, under your father, your uncle applies roce Ma$llo roce laitha* monanth &item chintha* !orem onn magtha t(7a &a3araa&* :ncle applies roce, what he thin!s in his mind3 2ishes you the best on your wedded life 1hatacha rashir !oson asa &a$llo* m(ndaas gaar ma$llo* aila t(7a &a3araa&* +row sits on the heap of paddy, big turbaned uncle has come for your wedding SISTER IN LA0 A99LIES ROCE8 Amcha gharanth* mai amchi maal* Mainche 0haal ha(m roce laitham In our house, mother in #aw is second' :nder mother in #aw, I apply roce to you (OIN( 5OR BAT68 Dhar"acha lara* chothri f(lai mora* na(m& a o(n $ora* amcha ho&le& 2ave of the ocean, spread your feathers in the shape of umbrella dear peacoc!, ta!e the bride for her roce hot bath Vo$i"o m(llim $o$llim ho&le& nanna(n& $ocha* heram 7e$nna& !osa* raath madh"aan 3atha The voviyo singers, please accompany the bride at bath, rest of you get ready for the meal, as it is nearing midnight'
The !elow song is recited at the end or after the first ro(nd of ser$ing meals) Laudate

%a(date domin(m=* Omnes gentes* Omnes o (li* +(ani(m confir mata est* 9( er nos mesericordia e7(s* Et $eritas domini manet in etern(m* Et $eritas domini manet in etern(m=>) /loria atri et filio* #here all ma&e the sign of the Cross' Et s irit(i sancto* sic(t erat in rinci io et n(nc Etsem er et in sec(la sec(lor(m amen) %a(date domin(m=* Omnes gentes* Omnes o (li* ?(ani(m confirmata est* 9( er nos mesericordia e7(s* Et $eritas domini manet in etern(m* Et $eritas domini manet in etern(m) @ith information gathered From different so(rces) Maurice 7)Me # Toronto $or &ore details "lease +ontact; Anc" 9) D59o(3a* 6alad&a EA8BCD Diwan A t III Vasai Road East Thane Dist 8 EFB ABF Tel; FAGF8ACDFAAG Cell; DCAFHCCABC* DCACADDGHF* DIDADBHIII Email; anc"dsJgmail)com