The Great Big Indian wedding.
Song, drama, tears (some), laughter (lots). Somber. Fun. By turns.
The bride (my niece), and groom were from different parts of the country, different customs, languages.
The bride, your typical Indian immigrant to the land of greenbacks, was radiant.
The groom, also the typical Indian immigrant also to the land of opportunity, was handsome.
The festivities were spread over three days. I was there for a day.
Things I’m not likely to forget in a hurry:
The choir like quality of the manglashtak, a poem that is specially written for the occasion, and sung out by all the women invitees. With no prior practice, how is it that it sounds like a hymn, not one word out of tune? Superb soaring notes.
The setting sun, the lush green of the lawns and the Sanskrit hymns rendered by the flames of the auspicious fire, set against the stillness of the countryside around.
Hunting for a blade of a special kind of grass, because that’s the requirement for a custom from the groom’s family, of course this is the first anyone on this side has heard of it.
Shivering in the cold, grimacing at an art deco-ish waterfall, too cold and too hungry to appreciate the glow of light on gleaming water.Family of course eats last, once the guests are done.
Realizing that the next lot of nieces, kindergarten level and nursery rhyme reciting tots not so long ago, have grown into sharp and very pretty young women, oh so confident.
Catching up, all ears, with M’s post retirement success story, and how anything can happen.
Finally touching the feet of the big man, and expressing gratitude for all that he has saved the family from, and how some debts will never be repaid.
Song, drama, tears (some), laughter (lots). Somber. Fun. By turns.
The bride (my niece), and groom were from different parts of the country, different customs, languages.
The bride, your typical Indian immigrant to the land of greenbacks, was radiant.
The groom, also the typical Indian immigrant also to the land of opportunity, was handsome.
The festivities were spread over three days. I was there for a day.
Things I’m not likely to forget in a hurry:
The choir like quality of the manglashtak, a poem that is specially written for the occasion, and sung out by all the women invitees. With no prior practice, how is it that it sounds like a hymn, not one word out of tune? Superb soaring notes.
The setting sun, the lush green of the lawns and the Sanskrit hymns rendered by the flames of the auspicious fire, set against the stillness of the countryside around.
Hunting for a blade of a special kind of grass, because that’s the requirement for a custom from the groom’s family, of course this is the first anyone on this side has heard of it.
Shivering in the cold, grimacing at an art deco-ish waterfall, too cold and too hungry to appreciate the glow of light on gleaming water.Family of course eats last, once the guests are done.
Realizing that the next lot of nieces, kindergarten level and nursery rhyme reciting tots not so long ago, have grown into sharp and very pretty young women, oh so confident.
Catching up, all ears, with M’s post retirement success story, and how anything can happen.
Finally touching the feet of the big man, and expressing gratitude for all that he has saved the family from, and how some debts will never be repaid.
9 comments:
OH, lovely!!
Yes, indeed t'was, thank you, mystic.
It sounds like a nice wedding, the best are those that represent the couple and don't just follow strict cookie-cutter stands. Although, probably not so big a problem in India with all those beautiful fabrics and colors. How could one Indian wedding possibly look like another!
-P
It was a super fun wedding, the mish mash of customs notwithstanding. Cousins from distant lands, silks and lustres, lots of photo-ops, and the wizened oldies giving of their blessings.
That all sounds very good! I hope the pair is under good auspices
What a beautiful way to begin a marriage. Of course, in the right setting, I think your words would transform a divorce into an exquisite event;) Truly, best wishes to the new couple!
...perhaps I should have said newly married couple:)
mago- oh yes, auspicious under both the Bengali and Gujarati versions of the stars, plus they've known each other for a bit, studying in the same place in the US.
portia-Yes, it was great fun and some drama too- like the movie Monsoon Wedding directed by Mira Nair- see it sometime. Quite chaotic, but colorfully so. :)
I would pile on the tears and sobs should I ever write abt breakups but you're giving me ideas, heh.
amazing...I like that idea..family eating after all guests are served..that's how I feel as a mom..but you explained so perfect.
Congratulations on your niece's wedding..may her marriage be filled with what she expects it to be in her dreams and world!
MAny congratulations and your last sentence..moving!! very very great post!
Always,
Crusty~
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