I invited Shobhan Bantwal to So Many Precious Books today to write about arrange Marriage.  Welcome Shobhan, thanks for aggreing to be my guest.

Arranged Marriage – Connection or Collision?

By Shobhan Bantwal – author of The Full Moon Bride

My latest book, The Full Moon Bride, explores the fascinating subject of arranged marriage, as a young Indian-American woman navigates the gulf between desire and tradition. 

Having been born and raised in a culture where arranged marriage is the norm, I had never given it any serious thought—as an institution that is. Most girls and boys growing up in conservative Hindu homes were programmed to accept the fact that someday, when they were old enough and mature enough to settle into marriage, their parents would pick a suitable mate for them and there would be a happily-ever-after.

Arranged marriage is a very pragmatic custom, where the families on both sides come from similar social, economic, and religious backgrounds, hence the marriage becomes a strong bond, not just between two individuals but between families, sometimes entire villages. Strangely enough, love has very little to do with it, and yet it seems to work for the two strangers who suddenly find themselves married to each other.

Caste plays a significant role in Indian arranged marriages. Inter-caste marriages used to be frowned upon some 50 years ago, and to some extent still are, mainly because even within India, there are cultural differences between castes—differences that are too subtle for the outside world to notice. However, caste barriers are slowly beginning to erode as the younger generation is moving away from the old-fashioned form of arranged marriage and choosing to meet and date for a while before tying to knot.

Naturally, conflicts are bound to occur in arranged marriages. I know of some serious disagreements between in-laws that have led to broken engagements and on rare occasions even divorce. While arranged marriage can forge some unbreakable bonds, it can also be fertile ground for vicious sparring, because of family pride, money, and clashing egos. Nonetheless that same family sentiment and preservation of culture can often lead to a reluctant but lasting truce between the warring parties, ensuring that marriages last over a lifetime.

Arranged marriage is a complicated practice, to say the least, especially when culture, caste, and class disparities are thrown into the mix. And yet, it has withstood the test of time.

Readers can find my books, events, contests, photos, recipes, and contact information on my website: www.shobhanbantwal.com/ or visit my facebook page: www.facebook.com/ShobhanBantwal.author
About Full Moon Bride

What makes a marriage—love or compatibility? Passion or pragmatism? THE FULL MOON BRIDE is a compelling story that explores the fascinating subject of arranged marriage, as young Indian-American attorney Soorya Giri navigates the gulf between desire and tradition.

In choosing between two very different men, Soorya must reconcile her burgeoning independence and conservative background. And she must decide what matters most to her—not just in a husband, but in a family, a culture, and a life.

About Shobhan Bantwal

Award-winning author Shobhan Bantwal calls her writing “Bollywood in a Book”—romantic, colorful, action-packed tales, rich with elements of Indian culture—stories that entertain and educate. Shobhan has five published novels by Kensington Publishing, with a sixth slated for 2012. Shobhan can be contacted through her website: www.shobhanbantwal.com or Facebook.

Now for the giveaway!  Thanks to Shobhan Bantwal, I am giving away one signed copy of Full Moon Bride to one of my U.S. readers.

To Enter:
Leave a comment with your email address, so I can contact you if you win.
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That’s 31 or more possible entries! Sorry, this giveaway is only open to U.S.
The winner’s mailing address: No P.O. Boxes
Only one entry per household/IP address
Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the book.
This giveaway will end on Friday August 26th, 11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email. Winners must respond within TWO days or will be disqualified.


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