The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Temple City gears up to celebrate Valentine's Day

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 14, 2007
ePaper


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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Temple City gears up to celebrate Valentine's Day

Staff Reporter

Cards, studs, rings — all come in heart shape

DIFFERENT VIEW: A woman selecting a card at a gift shop in Madurai. — Photo: G. Moorthy

MADURAI: From the Garden of Eden the all-pervasive feeling has traversed a long way, from novels to cinema halls, and now it has come out in open. Though seemingly nonchalant, the Temple City is, perhaps, slowly breaking away from the conservative walls of insulation to celebrate the Valentine's Day on February 14 -- a day for people who are in love.

Gifts and cards for any special occasion are not uncommon and the demand is more on the Valentines Day. All but in one shape.

From greeting cards to chocolates and from photo frames to studs and rings all come in heart shape preferably in crimson red colour.

"Valentines Day is certainly a day of celebration. Necessarily, it need not be a day for lovers or youth. It is for all," said 25-year-old K. Samuel, who runs a mobile and computer business.

"How can love be looked at with scorn, especially, when the world of literature and world of cinema still thrives on that feeling?" he said.

The number of love marriages is on the rise and the mindset of the people is slowly undergoing a change. Greeting cards with appropriate words express the feeling of the heart rather than any other gifts and it suits all pockets, says Vadivel, a college student.

The greeting shops have displayed - cut cards, bouquet-type cards, musical cards, big-sized cards, a plank that resembles certificate to state the `world's best boy friend' etc.

Roses

The age-old custom of exchanging roses is still in vogue.

Florists are also raking in their moolah with array of red roses, a prime attraction among youths.

A few jewellery shops in the city have displayed heart-shaped ornaments.

E-cards

E-cards galore on the Internet and the offers of mobile providers include picture messages, ring tones and romantic songs.

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