The defendant is the appellant. The suit has been filed by the respondent herein, as the plaintiff in the suit, seeking relief of declaration that she is the legally wedded wife of the appellant herein. The said suit was filed in O.S. No.9 of 1994 on the file of the I Additional Sub Court, Madurai, has been decreed and being aggrieved by the same, the appellant has preferred this appeal.

2. The case of the plaintiff in a nutshell is as follows:

The plaintiff and the defendant have been living together for some time at Door No.46, S.S. Colony, Parthasarathi street, Madurai-16. Thereafter, the plaintiff got pregnant and as a result of the same, the marriage was solemnised on 13.12.1987 at Pillaiyar temple situated in Madurai Meenakshipuram. There was an exchange of garland and a chain was presented by the defendant while solemnizing the marriage. The marriage was solemnized in the presence of PW2 to PW4 and few other persons. On 21.06.1988 there was an attempt to settle the dispute between the plaintiff and the defendant since a demand was made by the defendant as dowry. On 22.05.1988, the defendant has left the plaintiff and on 06.07.1988 a male child was born to the plai