Ezhumkulam (Adoor): In the village of Enath at Ilangamangalam here, a unique wedding invitation has become the talk of the town. Jyothish R Pillai of Kinaruvila Veedu has designed his wedding card in the style of a ration card, offering a quirky and nostalgic tribute to his family-run local ration shop.

Having grown up helping his mother at the shop, Jyothish became fondly known in the neighbourhood as the "ration shop boy”. As he steps into a new chapter of his life, he wants his wedding to have a meaningful link to the family business that has provided for them for years. The wedding is set to take place on February 2.

A wedding card that looks just like a ration card

It took 11 days to design the invitation, and since Jyothish works abroad, all instructions had to be given over the phone. He jokes that when his mother delivers the invitations, many mistake them for actual ration cards.
The front page features details about the groom and the wedding, while the back resembles an authentic ration card, listing the names and relationships of family members. Inside, the invitation follows a traditional format, blending creativity with cultural sentiment. The bride, G H Devika, hails from Kottarakkara in Kollam. 

A legacy of generations

Jyothish’s great-uncle Bhargavan Pillai, was the original owner of the ration shop at Ilangamangalam. Later, his father, K K Ravindran Pillai, took over. Since his passing in 2003, Jyothish’s mother T Ambika has been running the shop.
The idea of a ration card-themed wedding invitation was warmly supported by his sister Jyothilakshmi and her husband Sajith Kumar, who helped bring it to life. This creative and heartfelt gesture has captured the imagination of the local community, making Jyothish’s wedding an event to remember!