Anirudh-Kavya ditch traditional ceremony for self-respect marriage. What is it?

Music composer Anirudh Ravichander and Sunrisers Hyderabad co-owner and businesswoman Kavya Maran chose a wedding rooted in equality and mutual commitment over conventional religious rituals. The couple got married in a dreamy destination ceremony in Greece on November 11, exchanging matching pendants as part of a self-respect marriage. Their wedding, attended by Rajinikanth, MK Stalin and others, has since become a talking point, with many curious about the tradition behind their choice.The ceremony was preceded by engagement celebrations on November 10. Soon after the wedding, pictures and videos from the festivities surfaced online, including a photograph of Anirudh tying a chain around Kavya's neck. The matching pendants and the exchange of chains sparked questions about the rituals they had followed.So, it looks like a non-Vedic, self-respect marriage. Am I right? https://t.co/fVF2JpUl61— . (@DrGanesh_Japan) November 12, 2026Dr T R B Rajaa, DMK's IT Wing Secretary, subsequently confirmed that the couple had opted for a self-respect marriage. He revealed that they exchanged garlands and chains, with their families and friends blessing their union. He mentioned former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin as Thalaivar and Rajinikanth as Superstar in his post.In a post on X, Rajaa wrote, "YES ... Kavya and Anirudh garlanded each other... #Thalaivar handed over a chain to Kavya and #Superstar handed over a chain to Anirudh... the bride and groom exchanged chains and an union of hearts was blessed by their friends and family." The ceremony also had a special family connection. Rajinikanth, Anirudh's maternal uncle, and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, who is related to Kavya's father Kalanithi Maran, were among the prominent guests.What is a self-respect marriage?A self-respect marriage is rooted in the Self-Respect Movement founded by social reformer Periyar EV Ramasamy in Tamil Nadu. The movement challenged caste discrimination, social hierarchies and patriarchal customs, while advocating equality and individual dignity. One of its central ideas was that marriage did not need the sanction of religious priests or elaborate rituals to be valid. Instead, a couple could declare their commitment to each other and exchange garlands, rings or other symbols of marriage in the presence of witnesses.The practice received legal recognition in Tamil Nadu through an amendment to the Hindu Marriage Act in 1967. Section 7-A recognises marriages solemnised through forms such as the exchange of garlands or rings, or a declaration of marriage, in the presence of relatives, friends or other persons.Unlike conventional Hindu wedding ceremonies, a self-respect marriage does not require a priest or elaborate religious rites. Its emphasis is on the couple's consent, equality and commitment.Anirudh and Kavya's love storyWhile their wedding has put their relationship in the spotlight, Anirudh and Kavya have largely kept their personal lives away from public attention. Neither has spoken in detail about how they met, when their friendship turned into a relationship or how long they have been together.Dating speculation gathered momentum in 2025 after a video of the two walking together on the streets of New York surfaced online. A UK-based travel vlogger had captured the pair during a YouTube livestream, and the footage soon made its way across social media. The original video was later taken down, but screenshots and clips continued to circulate.Anirudh had also addressed marriage speculation in June 2025, responding on X with a light-hearted post: "Marriage ah? lol .. Chill out guys. Please stop spreading rumours."Wedding speculation returned in October 2026, when Kavya's parents, Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Maran, met Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and invited him to their daughter's wedding reception. The Telangana Chief Minister's Office subsequently confirmed the November 21 reception date.Rajinikanth, MK Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin attend Greece weddingThe destination wedding brought together prominent names from the worlds of cinema, politics and business. Rajinikanth, his wife Latha Rajinikanth and daughter Aishwarya Rajinikanth were among those who travelled to Greece for the celebrations. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and his son, Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, were also spotted heading to the destination.Photographs from the ceremony featured the newlyweds with Rajinikanth, MK Stalin and members of both families, including Kalanithi and Kavery Maran. Producer AV Suresh also shared a glimpse of the celebrations, with Dayanidhi Maran and other guests seen in pictures from the wedding.Anirudh shared the first official photograph with Kavya after the ceremony, accompanied by the caption, "My once in a lifetime, for a lifetime. 11.11". The composer wore an ivory traditional ensemble, while Kavya opted for a blush-pink embroidered outfit.Anirudh and Kavya's Chennai reception on November 21The Greece celebrations will be followed by a grand wedding reception in Chennai on November 21. The date was confirmed by the Telangana Chief Minister's Office after Kalanithi and Kavery Maran personally invited Revanth Reddy to the event.The reception is expected to bring together prominent personalities from the film industry, politics, business and cricket. Reports have also named ITC Grand Chola in Chennai as the venue.Anirudh is one of the most sought-after composers in Indian cinema, having delivered chartbusters for films such as 3, Jailer, Vikram, Leo and Jawan. Kavya, meanwhile, is the daughter of Kalanithi Maran and is associated with the Sun Group's media and sports businesses. She is the co-owner of IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.After a relationship that remained largely away from the public eye, the couple's wedding has now brought their personal milestone into the spotlight.- Ends