Chatt Mangni Patt Byah

# 86

March 18, 2021

Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:

चट मंगनी पट ब्याह

(Transliteration: Chatt mangni patt byah.)

Instant Shotgun Wedding

Literal translation: Quick engagement (matchmaking) quick wedding. (One instant engagement, next instant wedding.)

Figurative meaning: To force things to happen quickly; not letting the step-by-step process take its usual time to happen. (Somewhat like a shotgun wedding.)

Usage in a sample sentence:
आमतौर पर आवेदन के बाद तीन महीने लगते है, लेकिन एजेंट ने कहा कि उसका पहुंच ऊंचा है और वह दो दिनों में मेरा वीजा जारी करवा सकता है। सोचो: चट मंगनी पट ब्याह।

Transliteration: Aamtaur par aavedan ke baad theen mahine lagte hai, lekin agent ne kaha ki usska pahunch ooncha hai aur woh do dino mein mera visa jaari karwa sakta hai. Socho: chatt mangni patt byah.

Translation: Usually it takes three months after application but the agent said that his reach is high and he can get my visa issued in two days. Imagine! One instant engagement, next instant wedding.

Origins of the proverb: Traditionally in India, weddings are conducted within three to six months of engagement. The time between the engagement and wedding is utilized by the families to prepare for the event and to send out the invitations to relatives and friends. Only in very rare instances are the weddings delayed beyond this or expedited. In an emergency, engagement and wedding could happening immediately one after the other on the same day. This situation is described as “chatt mangni patt byah.” People have adopted this phrase as a popular proverb and it is very commonly used to describe any activity that is carried out without due process and without any regard for the time usually assigned for it.