The "sambandham" relationship was usually arranged by the "karanavan" but occasionally they would arise from a woman attracting a man in a temple, bathing pool or other public place. The first "sambandham" of a man was deemed to be momentous and his ability to engage in a large number of such relationships increased his reputation in his community. "Sambandham" relationships could be broken, due to differences between the spouses or because a "karavanan" forced it due to being pressured by a man of higher rank who desired to marry the woman. Marriage by "sambandham" was neither legally recognised nor binding. The relationship could end at will and the participants could remarry without any ramifications. Attempts to regulate "sambandham" marriages by the Nayar Regulation Act of 1912 in Travancore and the Malabar Marriage Act of 1896 in British Malabar were not very successful.