How this vegan Hindu wedding in Singapore reflects a change in thinking about animal welfare
From being a plant-based diet to transcending into a cruelty-free way of life, veganism is crossing all borders, perceived ones as well as geographical. While the West is already witnessing the onset of a vegan revolution, the animal product-free lifestyle has knocked on the doors of Asia as well. And this – one of the first of its kind – vegan Hindu wedding in Singapore is a testimony to that.
Singapore couple Mangalarubini and her fiancé Kabillan opted for a vegan wedding despite people not being too enamoured with their choice. Mangalarubini said, “People laughed and mocked us by thinking we were being ridiculous to even care for all these. Most of them didn’t think it was a big deal, and cows being tortured for milk is just ‘the nature of things’. But I am glad my husband was supportive of this, and it was just a matter of replacing an item with something else more suitable.”
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How did they turn the wedding vegan?
Mangalarubini said the idea of a vegan wedding started when she read an online blog about a vegan housewarming prayer. She had opted for a similar cruelty-free housewarming prayer when she learned that it was possible for Hindu prayers to occur without the presence of any animal products. The priest had concerns about deviating from traditions that went back thousands of years, but he understood the couple’s wishes for not wanting to include products that were a product of cruel practices.
Vegan rituals
Mangalarubini said, “At first, the temple priest was stunned, but he was accommodating and suggested we use soy-milk, and Dalda (a plant-based concoction) to keep the ‘Agni’ (holy fire) burning. We’re glad that the priest wasn’t as taken aback as many people were when we told them we were avoiding animal products in our wedding. Most were not aware that Hindu prayers can even take place without ghee and/or milk.”
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Vegan clothes and make-up
When the news of her vegan Hindu wedding spread, Mangalarubini was concerned to learn from several sources that it is considered mandatory for a bride to adorn a pure silk sari. It is believed silk wards off any “evil eyes” set on the bride. She said, “[The statement] did not convince me one bit. I had a belief too, and I wanted to stand up for it. I researched this, and I learned I wasn’t the only bride who wore a non-silk sari for her wedding. I was inspired to bring this change in Singapore.”
[The statement] did not convince me one bit. I had a belief too, and I wanted to stand up for it. I researched this, and I learned I wasn’t the only bride who wore a non-silk sari for her wedding. I was inspired to bring this change in Singapore
With the help of her mother and sister in-law, she sourced wedding saris that were equally beautiful, but not made of silk.
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Mangalarubini made sure that her make-up artist used 100 per cent vegan products. Her make-up artist, Malini Michell, is an ardent animal lover herself. She arranged a trial session and showed all the products to the bride. Mangalarubini said, “I am glad my make-up was perfect because I was able to share with my friends that make-up products don’t have to go through animal testing to work on your skin, so I encouraged them to start requesting their make-up artists to use cruelty-free products on them.”
What about the food?
“My guests loved the vegan food we served at the wedding. Our caterers avoided using ghee in the rice, and in place of cow’s milk for our dessert, ‘Payasam’, they used coconut milk, which was a big hit,” she said.
My guests loved the vegan food we served at the wedding. Our caterers avoided using ghee in the rice, and in place of cow’s milk for our dessert, ‘Payasam’, they used coconut milk, which was a big hit
Support from husband and his family
Mangalarubini was taken aback by the support she received from her family, husband, and in-laws. Her brother in-law and his wife have been vegan for almost a decade, which made her even more confident of the choices she made.
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The not-so-cool reactions and the challenges she faced in organising a vegan Hindu wedding
No vegan wedding is complete without someone being unhappy at the bride and groom’s choices. They faced arguments from the very strict followers of the traditions. Mangalarubini elaborates on the experience, “I heard comments on how disrespectful we were being towards ‘Komatha’ (A Hindu deity of a cow) by not using milk and ghee in our prayers to thank her. I don’t know how true, except that it’s a strong belief. But I did not argue further because what matters most was I was able to do the prayers in peace, knowing nothing was tortured to perform my sacred ceremony. And God will understand the usage of products, obtained by torturing mother cows and killing calves, is far from respecting our traditions.”
From being a plant-based diet to transcending into a cruelty-free way of life, veganism is crossing all borders- perceived ones as well as geographical
Another challenge she faced was finding a make-up artist who would respect her wishes. Malini was one of the few make-up artists who promised to use cruelty-free products. She said, “It was upsetting to think the majority of make-up businesses evolve with products that are tested on animals and not every make-up artist is aware or mindful to source cruelty-free products. I have had a few make-up artists who were surprised by my request to use only cruelty-free make-up products. This made me feel the Indian bridal make-up industry is either unaware of animal testing, or if they are, there is a deliberate ignorance towards it, thinking it’s just a norm.”
Mangalarubini’s journey towards veganism
Mangalarubini has been an animal lover since she was a child. She embraced veganism in 2018, after ditching the last remaining animal product in her diet: cheese. Commenting on her journey towards an ethical lifestyle, Mangalarubini admitted, “I thought I could never give up on cheese. However, my conscience never let me enjoy a slice of cheese pizza. Hence, I started to force myself to make lifestyle changes. It was tough at first until I joined vegan support groups on Facebook, and everyone motivated me. I got introduced to vegan alternatives, such as coconut milk ice cream, cheese alternatives and many more. It’s been more than a year, and I no longer crave any animal products. I have never felt more healthy and comfortable. And I am glad my friends and family are learning traditions can be changed in the way where we can show kindness to every living creature.”
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Mangalarubini’s story is inspiring, isn’t it? We hope more people opt for vegan weddings, and make the world a beautiful cruelty-free place for animals.
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While the West is in the midst of a vegan revolution, the animal product-free lifestyle is knocking on the doors of Asia too