मम्मी सब रो क्यों रहे हैं....
In the midst of all the crying a 3 year boy asked the mother. The mother who was giving a hug to the bride looks at the kid thinking, "you couldn't have found a better moment to embarrass me". The bride who had imagined and practiced (a little) about this day for a long time looks at the boy as if expecting lasers to come out of her eyes. Looking at the bride (make up half off due to crying) staring at him, the boy starts crying.
Lets rewind a bit though...
In Holy Matrimony!!! Part 1 we had found that the deal between the lessee (the Bride's side) and the lessor (the Groom's side) had been finalized and the mutual agreement was sealed by the engagement ceremony and thus after a series of interviews and some serious negotiations came the wedding day…
Here is the part after the बारात (the groom's side) arrives...
Now our knight in shining armor (all prepared for the battle which is going to last a life time) having a bright smile (still unaware of the fact that he cannot win it, no matter what) is welcomed in. Everyone looks at the Groom in a way like when you are in a market and shopping for your bathroom and you think "will this commode go with my washbasin?."
The bride and the groom are made to sit in those king-queen style chairs which is followed by a big photo session where every Tom, Dick and Harry present has his/her picture taken with them. Actually I sort of like this part cause no matter where you from and no matter what you do, everyone joins in the fun. Now, that the photos have been taken most of the guests move to the most important part- the food and soon after they leave.
After this with only the close relatives left we enter into the part where the bride and the groom roam around the fire in circles (Its known as Pheyraes in Hindi). This usually happens really late in the night so I miss most of it cause my beauty (not exactly) sleep is very important to me, I just cannot do without it. Well we are back to the morning and the girl now is ready to leave to her husbands place...
In the widaai (girl leaving for her husbands place) everyone and I mean EVERYONE cries, even if you really don't feel like crying or you think, "whats up with the crying man?" well doesn't matter you have to cry because that is how its suppose to be.
And some where in between all this the "Gifts" (remember we can't use the D word) are also exchanged.
Now just think for a minute. If you are a bride or a groom. You have to have a smile and take pictures with everyone no matter how hungry or bored or uncomfortable you are (you can't even go to the loo). You get to eat the remains of the food as you are the last ones to eat and you have to be awake the whole night. Still wedding night is suppose to be the best night of your life???
Disclaimer: This account is from my experiences. India is such a vivid place that the traditions and the ceremonies differ from place to place. I totally respect all of them.
