‘We are partners for life': Gay couple, whose love blossomed on dance floor and during ice cream dates, let the world know

Indian Express

10 hours ago

In 2014, Shyam Konnur first saw Sriram Sridharan on the dance floor at a post-pride party in Bengaluru. 'I had travelled to Bengaluru for the pride event, and when I saw that young man, I thought he was cute, so I walked up to him and said so,' he recalled.
Although Sriram, commonly known as Ram among friends, was busy dancing, they ended up exchanging phone numbers by the end of the evening. On June 13, 2025, Shyam, 36, and Ram, 32, exchanged commitment vows, solidifying their lifelong relationship.
To return to how everything unfolded after their meeting on the dance floor, the next chapter of this story took place in Bengaluru in 2015. By that time, Shyam had moved to Pune for work, but Ram was still in Bengaluru, working for an IT multinational corporation.
'My mother was admitted to the hospital, and I had to rush back. After spending nearly two sleepless nights there, I messaged Ram to see if he would like to meet for an ice cream date. However, while I was waiting outside the ice cream shop, a group of thugs attempted to snatch my phone. In the chaos that ensued, I was seriously injured,' Shyam said. So, when Ram came for what was supposed to be a plain ice cream date, he met with a bleeding Shyam, who required urgent hospitalisation.
Adding another layer of complexity was the fact that Ram did not know Shyam's full name. 'I called another person who knew my full name (Samuel Konnur) to do the hospital paperwork. To date, Ram holds this against me- he says here I was rushing you to the hospital, and you did not have the courtesy to even reveal your real name,' he said.
Shyam comes from a mixed-faith marriage; his mother follows the Hindu faith, while his father has ties to the Methodist Church. Ram is from the temple town of Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu and is the only child of his parents who ran a driving school.
By 2015, both Shyam and Ram began to realise that their innocent banter over chats and phone calls was developing into something serious and beautiful. It was no surprise when, one day, during their conversations, they popped the question. 'I think Ram was the one who asked it first, but he believes it was me. In any case, we decided to enter into a long-distance relationship—he in Bengaluru and I in Pune,' Shyam said. This decision was built on numerous discussions in which the two shared many secrets that solidified their relationship.
For Shyam, working for the LGBTQIA+ community felt as natural as breathing. 'The community is like my extended family; we support each other in times of need. I spent my holidays travelling to Bengaluru to volunteer at queer events with Ram by my side. When I founded the Mist LGBTQ Foundation in Pune in 2009, Ram returned the favour and began volunteering at the events here,' he said.
Through their travels, community involvement, and volunteer work, the young men began their lives together. Ram transferred to Pune, and they began living together. Things were not always easy, as both of their families initially opposed their relationship but eventually became more accepting.
'Last year, when we travelled to Europe to participate in an AIDS conference, we decided to get married. It was a simple affair, but it sealed the bond between us,' they said.
Shyam admits that marriage was never a priority for him. However, he feels that, in a society where norms often outweigh personal beliefs, marriage serves as a symbol of acceptance. Gay couples like Shyam and Ram cannot marry in India, as same-sex marriage is still not legally recognised in the country, unlike in many European nations and other parts of the world.
Earlier this week, the couple decided to solemnise their union according to Indian customs, surrounded by family and friends. Ram said, 'My mother always believed that my relationship with Shyam was deeper than that of friends. However, she struggled to accept that he was my life partner. So, when we chose to perform the rituals, it was primarily to demonstrate to her and others that we are, indeed, life partners.'
Ram's mother, who travelled from Kumbhakonam, brought them the silk dresses they wore for the ceremonies. While she wholeheartedly participated in the events, she sometimes felt lost. 'Later, she admitted that she did not fully understand the significance of the whole event. She wanted some of the rituals to be done differently but did not know how to express that. However, she now realises that we are partners for life,' said Ram.