Dear Friends,
In our childhood, we used to dream about upcoming marriage events. We would think about when the celebrations would start, what we would eat, how we would play with all our relatives and friends, and so much more. It was always filled with emotion, action, and drama. I still remember one instance where there was a big emotional drama because upma was not served to one of the guests! In another event, the groom’s procession was stalled just minutes before the thread ceremony because of a demand for a ring. Once the promise was made, the procession resumed! The entire planning, execution, and celebration were no less complex than constructing a 20-storey building!
It was not just about happy occasions — I also had the experience of being one of the four or six people (vaahakas) carrying the body during a funeral procession. That place carries a completely different emotion. Sometimes it is shocking — especially when the deceased is the breadwinner of the family. Sometimes, it is an emotional departure filled with love and affection. And sometimes, it brings a silent sense of relief when the person has been suffering from prolonged pain or disease.
These two types of events are extremes, with many emotional moments in between — birthdays, family gatherings, and more. Each carries its own unique emotion. But why am I bringing this up today?
Recently, there was an interesting article about India’s “Fake Wedding” Party Market Size and Forecast (Coherent Market Insights). It is projected to be USD 12.9 million in 2025, expected to reach USD 175.8 million by 2032. BBC also reported an article titled “The Big Fat 'Fake' Indian Wedding – Gen Z's Latest Party Trend.” “Dazzling lights, glittering outfits, Bollywood hits, lavish food, and an atmosphere soaked in celebration” — all without a bride, groom, priest, or fire sacrifice. No relatives, no rituals, and no tearful farewells!
We once had professional mourners in India, known as Rudaalis. Their role was to publicly express grief — crying, wailing, beating their chests, performing dramatic displays of sorrow on behalf of families. But that was never treated as a business — it was employment born of circumstance. However, thanks to modern lifestyles, high salaries, and excess comfort, Gen Z seems to be moving toward artificial happiness. And when happiness is artificially induced, the chances of delaying real happiness only increase.
In reality, there’s never “perfect happiness” even in a real marriage — it’s filled with responsibilities, tensions, and adjustments. Many young people today do not want that trouble early; they tend to delay or avoid these responsibilities. I don’t say it’s right or wrong, but in my view — each age comes with its own responsibilities and emotions.
My emotional balance at 25 was different from what it is at 50. At 25, we work hard for a job, money, and marriage. At 50, we work hard for our children’s education, their future, and our parents’ care. These are time-tested life sequences, with a few exceptions depending on circumstances. They cannot be outsourced or delayed — they must be experienced.
Though this is my personal view, emotions cannot be commoditized on a full scale. Their value diminishes — especially in the age of AI and robotics. We are inviting robots into our daily lives. Can R.K. Laxman’s “Servants of India” hold relevance today when we invite robots to our homes — Swami, the cook; Anthony, the driver; Shanti, the maid; Ramaswami, the trusted retainer? Can Laxman’s trademark wit and sketches reappear when Midjourney or Perplexity now do this work?
I have been invited by Infosys to speak on this very theme on 28th November 2025.
My topic: “From UX to HX: Designing for the Human Experience in the AI Era.”
What is your view?
Ravi Saripalle
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