Nov 11th...
Sumangali pooja done…next in the agenda was the “Lunch”… And this was no aisa waisa lunch, the grooms side were coming, with Raja dressed up in a Sherwani…Now let me share the sherwani story with you...the day earlier (Nov 10th…check out the Kirtan post here ….) at the Singh’s residence after the kirtan, I ask Raja
Me: Bhai, kya pahne vale ho aap?(see I am a 100% Bombayaite, but I do speak good hindi and I had to impress Raja’s family...)
Raja: raises one of his eyebrows…a la Bharat natyam style
Me: Are you planning to wear a chudidhar-kurta or a simple pant-shirt…
Raja: I can wear anything…more on the lines of a pant-shirt…
Me:…nahi nahi…can you wear a Sherwani or a Chudidhar-kurta(btw what is the difference between a guy wearing a chudidhar-kurta and a sherwani…??) cos Purni will be in a gorgeous saree and looking so very beautiful…you will rightfully compliment her in a Sherwani…
Raja: Done…tomorrow will come in a Sherwani…
Back to Nov 11th and Lunch session…
As soon as the pooja was done, a couple of us left for the temple...we were running behind on schedule, but the consolation was that all the guests were desi's and like true desi log would arrive 30 mins late...At the end of the day, Chennai ho ya Bangalore, Punjab ho ya Amreeka...desi's will be desi's...30 mins late tho haak banetha hai, jee!
1st check, the Rangoli at the entrance of the Temple had survived all the devotees coming into the temple....thank the lord..
2nd check...All the decorations from the evening before were still on the wall...Ashwini, Lynne, Ravi, Mahesh, Ravi and Pakku had all gone crazy the day earlier, decorating the walls with festoons...the color theme was Teal and Orange...(btw Raja - Purni loves this combination...)...so quickly we arranged the rest of the stuff....the center Rangoli(did you like it?)...the stage with the rest of displays...Food was ready...and resting in steel buckets...(told you, true Udipi style!!)...and then we realized, we were running short of silverware...had forgotten the milk...Ab Kya kare!...this is where the menfolk are sighted and requested to run and get the stuff. The men in our family are such darlings!!...Tyagu rushed to get the silverware and milk...(not to worry, we will be there, when your daughters get married...(smile))
By this time, the Singhs arrived... with wide smiles, big bear hugs and bearing gifts..Seriously, these guys celebrate in style...most importantly those huge smiles and big hugs or Jadoo ki Chappi that melts you down...the women decided to wow us by wearing kanjeevaram and silk sarees and gajara's...Wasn't that sweet of them...!!
After more hugs and Jadoo ki Chappies and partaking some homemade mixture...the "Chunni Chadhana" ceremony began... Raja's parents presented Purni with oh so gorgeous...heart in the mouth Orange coloured outfit...so gorgeous, that Purni could walk the ramp at the Grammys and heads would turn!!! Exquisite, tasteful and oh so elegant...!! ...apparently these gifts giving ritual is a token of acceptance of the girl in their family. The main ritual of the ceremony is when the mother-in-law places a red chunni on the girl’s head and gives her some traditional jewelry...and some exquisite Polki diamond jewelry was given to Purnima. I love Polki...as they are elegant and graceful...bling but understated...and can be worn with any outfit be it Western or Indian,...a Saree, a Chudidhar or a Lehenga. Great selection Hansa aunty!!
Following this, every relative, friend, Mama, Mami, Chacha, Chachi, didi, bhaiya...blessed the young couple and fed them with Mithai - Kaju Katli's Badam barfi, Mewa ka ladoo, Penda. As I said, we are desi's...we love rituals, we love sweets, we love the limelight and we love to bless...like...
"Kush raho""Doodhon nahaa'o phooloun phalo" (5 times...get the hint, pls...as we need to start planning the next big happy family times)
"Happy Happy raho"
"sada suhagaan raho"
Then came the Lunch...Sambar, Rasam, Pahlya's Godju, Roti's, Perp Wobatus and khus khus Pyasasa...followed by the Beeda...Now this was the south indian beeda...
Just for this evening, Shyla and I had practised making the beeda in the Palgharulu style (check the video)...but alas...time being the enemy we had to forgo...and had to serve a quick folded version...oh yes...the Sumangali Muthaide's had their exclusive lunch...
Finally a family picture....
Fabulous! What a fun wedding. My friend's daughter got married to a Sardar and we saw the Chunni ceremony. Very elaborate and lovely. Rituals are so different but the meaning is the same. Your daughter is now my daughter.
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Loved it, and loved all those gorgeous looking women in lovely sarees too!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed every bit of the lovely moments, thanks for sharing Anpu!
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