When Mr Nadaison Pookays and Mrs Soranam Thuraisamy tied the knot in Singapore in 1972, it was only their second time meeting.
Their marriage was arranged by their fathers who had grown up together in Karakkottai, a village in Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu. There was no courtship – only a brief meeting to confirm the match, a practice common at the time. Mr Nadaison and Mrs Soranam were 29 and 22 respectively at the time.
Speaking to tabla! at the Golden Jubilee Wedding Celebrations, the couple recalled the early years of their marriage, which were marked by nervousness and uncertainty as they hardly knew each other.
“We didn’t think about love before marriage. We just accepted what our parents believed was best for us,” said Mr Nadaison, now 81.
A test of their relationship came in the 1980s when they faced financial difficulties. Recalling those tough times, Mr Nadaison said: “As a junior employee, I earned only about $200 a month. We had to manage all household expenses within that limited income.”
Mrs Soranam, a homemaker, said: “We lived simply, spent carefully and focused on giving our children (three daughters) a good education.”
Despite the financial struggle, they ensured their children received opportunities they never had. Today, their three daughters are all well-settled, with one living in Australia. Mr Nadaison and Mrs Soranam have six grandchildren.
Through the years, they also supported each other’s interests.
An avid runner, Mr Nadaison has participated in over 40 long-distance races, more than 100 half-marathons, and continues to run even in his eighties.
“My wife knows how much I love running, so as long as I take care of myself, she lets me continue,” he said with a smile.
Mrs Soranam added that a good marriage also means respecting each other’s independence.
According to the couple, the success of a lasting marriage, whether arranged or based on love, depends on mutual understanding and the ability to handle differences without letting misunderstandings escalate.
“Even in an arranged marriage, love and affection can grow over time,” said Mrs Soranam.
