Arranged by parents, united for life: Shallcross couple's 60-year marriage story

AFTER 60 years together, Heraman and Prabha's arranged marriage has blossomed into a lifetime of love and mutual respect.

The Shallcross couple shares their journey from awkward strangers to devoted partners, offering wisdom on resilience, faith, and finding solutions together through life's challenges.

Heraman, 84, and Prabha Sookoo, 82, were married on January 16, 1966, in a traditional Hindu ceremony at Prabha’s family home in Avoca. At the time, Heraman, originally from Cliffdale, was 24 years old and working at a textile company, while Prabha was 22.

Their union was an arranged marriage, agreed to by their parents two years before the wedding took place. 

Recalling the day, Heraman said the wedding was memorable not only for its significance but also for the intense heat.

“We got married in a traditional Hindu wedding at my in-law's place. The heat was suffocating and our heavy clothes were sticking to us and dragging us down. It was a Hindi wedding and lasted three hours. We somehow managed to get through it." 

He said they barely spoke to each other during the ceremony.

“We simply did not know what to say to each other. Our parents decided on the proposal the first day we met, without us even being aware. We only saw each other occasionally before marriage because we lived far apart. And then, two years later, the wedding took place and we still didn’t really know each other.”

The couple went on to raise four children, and have seven grandchildren. 

He said their lives were deeply impacted by the loss of their eldest son six years ago at the age of 49 due to muscular dystrophy. He was an attorney.

“When it came to our son’s death, we held onto each other to get through it. We have been through a lot together, but we always resolve issues and make decisions together. We never stayed angry for long.”

Heraman described their marriage as a joyful journey built over time.

“Getting to know each other over 60 years has been an exploration of the challenges we went through together. Arranged marriages are different from love marriages. We always found a way to work through things instead of acting emotionally. Our parents knew what kind of people we were and chose partners that would suit us for life. For that, I am grateful. Instead of running away from problems, we look for solutions together.”

Prabha described their relationship as loving and harmonious. 

“My husband and I enjoy doing many things together; attending temple services, shopping and being part of senior citizens’ activities. We got along well from the beginning, and if you do not get along with your partner, you will not have a strong, loving marriage." 

She described him as loving, kind and caring, qualities that made their marriage easier.

Offering advice to younger couples, Prabha said commitment was key.

“You have to work on your marriage, and you will definitely make it for many years."

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