The weekend of October 28 my whole family went to Detroit. We visited a friend who had a new baby and then went to the wedding of a friend. For starters Ekta came to Michigan tech as a student, we met her because she agreed give Rach na dance lessons. Through her personality and demeanor she played a very impressionable role in our young daughter = s life and has a very special place in our hearts as well. Ekta and her groom Rajan both hail from the India so the crowd was predominantly Indian but there were people from many backgrounds. Many people had flown from all over the world for this occasion.
Amit (Ekta = s older brother) told us that there were people from 4 continents at the wedding. We were welcomed and respected by our hosts, warmly and honestly. It was a traditional Hindu wedding, A rich and unbelievable occasion to which I could never do justice. It was overwhelming to see a wedding of this caliber and detail taking place in America. The whole weekend triggered a number of thoughts, several of which seemed worth sharing. First was the energy and exuberance of the celebration.
There was a sense of joy in every aspect of the weekend. The night before the wedding. The Mehndi and sang eet function: a well organized social with delicious Indian food (I have to list it) Pav Bhaji, Pula o, Raita, B hel and all the toppings to go with it, The ped as and the G ajar Hal wa. There were two ladies putting Mehndi for anyone who wanted. The singing and the dancing went on for over five hours. The highlight of the singing was Ekta = s great uncle who had flown in for the occasion.
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A gentleman in his 80’s. When he started singing his voice electrified the whole place. It was amazing! . One of the grooms friend also sang a english song reminding us all that we were among friends in America. The morning of the wedding dawned and we made our way to the wedding hall. As we entered the hall we were amazed by the traditional decorations of the place.
Complete with flower garlands, a Mandap, and a Doli In AMERICA! WOW! . Each table had a very traditional centerpiece of coconut and flowers. The whole place looked beautiful. Then the Bara at arrived with the groom surrounded by family and friends dancing to the music as they made their way towards the entry hall where the brides family and friends were waiting to welcome them all. After the Jaya mala the priest started preparing the lagan Mandap for the invocation of God and all the guests were asked to have breakfast which consisted of Gant hia (far fari) jalebis, (These two are a popular breakfast item in Gujarat I was told) Strawberry tortes and various types of baklava’s. To drink there was Than dai, Coffee and Masala tea.
Then the ceremony started the bride walked in with her maternal uncle to the age old song AB aharon Pool barsaoo@ Ekta looked just beautiful! Luckily for those of us who did not understand the ceremony too well a handy guide to the ceremony was handed out. During the ceremony there were ladies singing live the approraite traditional songs at the appropriate times. Accompanied by the traditional Indian instruments. When the ceremony was over the vida ii took place and Ekta was carried out in the doli with Rajan walking next to her.
There Go Mr. & Mrs. Pope I said to myself as the very emotional song A Babul ki Dua en Let Jaa@ echoed in the hall. Everyone was then invited to have lunch (Yes the ceremony took that long).
For Lunch there was Chole. A vial, Daal, Rice, Puris, Raita and barf i and various mukhwas.
After witnessing all the sets of prayers chants and promises I thought ANo wonder Indians get married only once@. About 4 hours later was the Reception. We walked into the reception hall and were awe truck by the ambiance, the chandeliers were exquisite, the tables were elegantly set and the highlight was the Ice sculpture of Lord Ganesh sitting in a bowl of Ice with lights, it was an awesome and Striking sight! There was the punch fountain with a mango punch in it and mango lass i and of course the bar was open for all other drinks. The guests were invited to have appetizers which consisted of Mutter cutlets, stuffed puff pastry, chole chat and fruit. After a little while the DJ beckoned everyone to take their seats and then the doors opened and in walked the Bride and the Groom. Ekta looked lovely and Rajan looked Very Elegant.
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there was a thunderous applause as they made their way to the head table. After some words from various people from both the families and a very humorous and entertaining episode from Rajan = s brother-in-law Mike Lewis. The cake was cut and Dinner was served. Dinner A AHH! There was Malai Kota, Daal Mak hani, Nargisi Aalto, B hindi Masala, Raita, Naan a and Paranthas, Rice, Salad, Chutneys and Pickles.
There were five Desserts as tradition demands, these were: The cake, ras malai, Gula b j amun, lado os and I forget the 5 th one but it was there. After everyone was done eating and starting mingling the Grooms mother went around and gave everyone a wedding souvenir. Then the floor was cleared and the bride and groom had their dance an American tradition but they danced to an Indian song. (Unity in Diversity I thought) After two more slow dances the music kicked off and provided hours of dancing for everyone still capable walking.
This is when the second thought hit me. This wedding though dignified in every aspect. Was hardly a 3000 year old relic; The participants and the guests all had genuine fun.
