GEORGE TOWN: Suyamvaram is an ancient Indian marriage tradition where a woman is given the freedom to choose her husband from a group of suitors.
The bride's family selects an auspicious date and time for the event and announces it to the local community.
A public ceremony or contest is then held, where the suitors display their skills and qualities to win the bride's favour.
In modern times, Suyamvaram has evolved and is no longer associated with contests or displays of strength.
From the perspective of the Penang Hindu Association (PHA), Suyamvaram is now viewed as a matchmaking process that provides opportunities for marriage-minded individuals, both men and women, to meet for the purpose of matrimony.
With this in mind, the PHA has been collaborating with the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Penang, to organise this modern version of Suyamvaram for the past two years.
This year marks the third consecutive year of the programme, which will be held at the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Penang, on Sept 22.
According to PHA president Datuk P. Murugiah, the event has been gaining popularity over the years, as indicated by the increasing number of applicants each year.
"For 2024, a total of 120 applicants have agreed to participate.
"This matchmaking event is prioritised by PHA due to concerns over the declining population and low birth rate among ethnic Indians, particularly Hindus, in Malaysia," he said today.
Murugiah highlighted that the census report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia shows that the total Indian population in Malaysia was only 5.9 per cent as of January 2024.
Within this figure, the Hindu population is even lower.
"PHA believes that one possible reason for the low population growth among Indians in Malaysia is the choice to focus more on career development rather than marriage.
"In this context, by the time they reach their 30s or beyond, many realise that life feels incomplete without a spouse. However, at this stage of life, they find their age becomes a stumbling block to finding a partner and getting married.
"Another possible reason is that some eligible bachelors lack the time and resources to seek a life partner.
"The PHA and the management of the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple are aware of these challenges and have taken on the role of matchmaker by jointly organising the Suyamvaram programme," he added.
Applications are open to adult Malaysian Hindus who are single, divorced (with or without children), widowers or widows (with or without children), as well as single parents and physically challenged Hindus.
Murugiah said that over the years, the programme has successfully facilitated six marriages, with one couple blessed with a baby this year.
Additionally, 13 more couples matched through this programme are in the final stages of discussions and preparations for marriage.
"PHA and the management of the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple hope that more unmarried Hindu adults will start to give equal priority to both their marriage and careers, and make an effort to participate in this programme.
"The organisers believe that unions through sacred matrimony will lead to wholesome families, which in turn will help increase the Hindu population in Malaysia," he said.