In connection with the tali-kattu kalyanam, or tali-tying marriage, Mr. Fawcett writes that "the details of this ceremony vary in different parts of Malabar, but the ceremony in some form is essential, and must be performed for every Nayar girl before she attains puberty." For an account of this ceremony, I must resort to the evidence of Mr. K. R. Krishna Menon before the Malabar Marriage Commission. [151] "The tali-kattu kalyanam is somewhat analogous to what a deva-dasi (dancing-girl) of other countries (districts) undergoes before she begins her profession. Among royal families, and those of certain Edaprabhus, a Kshatriya, and among the Charna sect a Nedungadi is invited to the girl's house at an auspicious hour appointed for the purpose, and, in the presence of friends and castemen, ties a tali (marriage badge) round her neck, and goes away after receiving a certain fee for his trouble. Among the other sects, the horoscope of the girl is examined along with those of her enangan (a recognised member of one's own class) families, and the boy whose horoscope is found to agree with hers is marked out as a fit person to tie the tali, and a day is fixed for the tali-tying ceremony by the astrologer, and information given to the Karanavan [152] (senior male in a tarwad) of the boy's family. The feast is called ayaniunu, and the boy is thenceforth called Manavalan or Pillai (bridegroom). From the house in which the Manavalan is entertained a procession is formed, preceded by men with swords, and shields shouting a kind of war-cry. In the meantime a procession starts from the girl's house, with similar men and cries, and headed by a member of her tarwad, to meet the other procession, and, after meeting the Manavalan, he escorts him to the girl's house. After entering the booth erected for the purpose, he is conducted to a seat of honour, and his feet are washed by the brother of the girl, who receives a pair of cloths. The Manavalan is then taken to the centre of the booth, where bamboo mats, carpets and white cloths are spread, and seated there. The brother of the girl then carries her from inside the house, and, after going round the booth three times, places her at the left side of the Manavalan. The father of the girl then presents new cloths tied in a kambli (blanket) to the pair, and with this new cloth (called manthravadi) they change their dress. The wife of the Karanavan of the girl's tarwad, if she be of the same caste, then decorates the girl by putting on anklets, etc. The purohit (officiating priest) called Elayath (a low class of Brahmans) then gives the tali to the Manavalan, and the family astrologer shouts muhurtham (auspicious hour), and the Manavalan, putting his sword on the lap, ties the tali round the neck of the girl, who is then required to hold an arrow and a looking-glass in her hand. In rich families a Brahmani sings certain songs intended to bless the couple. In ordinary families who cannot procure her presence,