I will blog one for each occasion to maintain the mood (and interest hopefully) as well do justice to each event instead of summarizing all the events in one blog.
'Mehndi' is pre-wedding ceremony which serves as the primer or ice-breaker for the heavy ceremonies that follows typically on consecutive days.Mehndi has typically yellow color theme signifying the color of Mehndi or Henna. The Bride-to-be embraces a yellow/orange/green shalwar kameez or some variant - choridaar or a gharghra with colored-braid following and adorned with fresh flower bangles and ear-rings. She typically wears minimal makeup and head is mounted either straight or downward direction depending on the liberal factor of both the parties. The event is also primarily a Bride-to-be event but with changing times , the invitation is extend to the Groom-to-be as well.
Groom-to-be wears a designer shalwar kameez of white color usually with Peshawari Chappal (not the infamously Paul Smith designed shoe) and dons a shawl wrapped around his neck and flowing sideways as well. He will typically have a stubble or a light beard with intention to shave it off on Wedding day.
Mehndi has the 'rustic' feel with stage decorated with hand painted pots and instead of a couch you have a swing to seat the couple-to-be - again trying to create a rural world in an urban world.
Special mention needs to be made about the 'entry' of the Bride-to-be. She is carried in a cart type of structure with window carvings on the side and closed from front,back and top. It is carried by 4 people holding the extended wood logs protruding from the base of the cart and placing it on the shoulder. It is a very responsible job as the life of the Bride-to-be is in your hands - or shoulder rather The Groom-to-be enters subsequently walking under the roof of chadar/dupatta held by his siblings.
After the couple-to-be are all settled and placed in the swing separated by 0.01mm distance; what ritual comes next is to unsettle their gastronomical endurance. Married women and close family members feed them with gamut of sweets and apply Mehndi on their hands. The couple try to consume as little as possible as feeders try to be generous in their feed. The matter is really tested when kids join the feeding party.
Appropriate songs are sang from both sides which usually serves as tit-for-tat song competition teasing each party - all in good humor. Keeping family sensitivities in mind - an elaborate dance performances also takes place with songs from famous Bollywood movies.
Mehndi is the event where 'sky is the limit' - in terms of decoration (stage,hall , cart,center pieces) finer decorations (from the spoon in which they are fed to dinner theme) , exhaustive dance and song practice. Since there is no 'protocol' - people usually enjoy Mehndi the most. I will reserve my opinion after the completion of the subsequent blogs but I think I have already given away ;)
"She typically wears minimal makeup and head is mounted either straight or downward direction depending on the liberal factor of both the parties". I found that sentence so hilarious! lol very true.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! It makes me want to attend one now. You should add pictures in your subsequent posts *hint hint*
good article written by you keep it up
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