Nov 17,
After the Vidaai,... as the Rolls Royce drove the newly married couple to their new home,...Shyla exclaimed..." It is a little difficult to believe"! Purni is actually married...so many days...weeks...months, we kept talking,...so many years I had prayed for her...and now it is done!!! She is actually married"...There was a shimmer of tears in her eyes...a quiver in her voice,...a smile on her face...some happy emotions,... and we all looked around...and said...'Now what next'!!
Somebody at the back said...'Arre Bhale Bhale...Reception hai jee!!...oh yes...we still had the Reception...and knowing the SANGEET,...the Reception would be an event to remember for a long time...The event was to be held at the Hyatt,...
After the Shaddi and a sumptuous lunch, some returned back to the Hyatt, some decided to do some family visiting...while others headed out to NY ...for some sightseeing - yes this is the adventurous, enthu group...!! With the Cocktails starting at 7:00 PM, there was plenty of time...to just sit back with your family and friends...rest those tired feet, catch up on all the events or just sleep...
By late afternoon,...
...had watched 3 of Purni's friends get their makeup done...this is truly an art!...Just loved the way the Makeup artist blended colours and applied it in a way that it looked so natural, and yet oh so beautiful!! Painted is more the word, not in terms of how much stuff was on, but the way it was done....Cheekbones and contours that earlier were unseen...now came into full view...wow!!
...then watched the hairstylist tease the hair, bouff it up and lo behold a Diva had arrived...Wow!!!
...had the schedule of who was going to drape whom the Saree and in which room...
...who was going where ....(meant the non-makeup stylists like us), to get the makeup done...
...that Raja was with his friends...chilling out...
...but Purni was missing...destination unknown...
6:45 PM...
Music starts playing...no...not the Dhol variety...this is the soft Angressi instrumental...some laughter every now and then...
7:00 PM...
Cocktails had started...as one walked into the Cocktail Salon,...they were greeted by Raja's parents...a hug from both of them...a thank you for making this day special...a reminder, that this evening was all about having a good time...so have a blast at the party...a quick photograph...and then you enter the Salon...
A beautiful 2 storied room....some gorgeous chandeliers lighting the entire area....muted music playing in the background,...women dressed in slinky chiffon sarees, gowns and some gorgeous outfits...diamonds shimmering, understated but elegant,...men in their tuxedos, looking dapper and debonair......a laughter here,....a chink of the Champagne glass...a brush of the fork on the plate....
After more conversations...meet and greet sessions...appetizers soon becoming a dinner...(there was so much food,...so many cuisines...Thai, Italian, BombayChinese, Turkish...the list was endless...!!
It was then time to go to the Grand ballroom, where the Reception was to be held...
People made they way to the ballroom...some of us were to be introduced after all were seated...Soon, the room was full,...the Master of Ceremonies took the Mike....the DJ started with some opening music...and the evening had BEGAN.....
And then, the Dhol started playing....the music became louder and ....one could hear a hush....And the the NEWLY WEDS walked in ....hand in hand ...gorgeous looking...so much in love...so very happy....
It was then time for the first Dance....
Time for some speeches....
For Raja - ...some lovely memories about Purni by Ashu,...Ravi's warning as simple "Go buy a dozen earplugs...you will need it from tomorrow!...the family you are married is LOUD"!!
For Purni - Some lovely memories about Raja...by Binti,...and Amit's loving assurance...'you just landed with another set of parents to love....'
Time for Papa & beti dance...Ma & beta dance
Purni and Prakash Uncle dancing...Raja and his mom dancing to a Hindi bollywood number...There is something so sweet, so poignant in these relationships...that one can only feel and enjoy...and thank the Lord every day, that you are fortunate to have such loving parents, who will do anything in the world for you...Thank you for always being there....
and then the floor opened to some slow soft ballroom dancing
And then it was time for some BHANGRA DHAMAKA....the dholwala came center stage and People started danceing to the Bhangra music...young...old...the Iyers trying out the Bhangra!....the Punjabi's dancing to the Bhangra!...and we had some Iyers who could actually dance like the Punjabis to the Bhangra!! and the Madira kept flowing...the Dhol kept playing...and the people kept dancing...
After the Vidaai,... as the Rolls Royce drove the newly married couple to their new home,...Shyla exclaimed..." It is a little difficult to believe"! Purni is actually married...so many days...weeks...months, we kept talking,...so many years I had prayed for her...and now it is done!!! She is actually married"...There was a shimmer of tears in her eyes...a quiver in her voice,...a smile on her face...some happy emotions,... and we all looked around...and said...'Now what next'!!
Somebody at the back said...'Arre Bhale Bhale...Reception hai jee!!...oh yes...we still had the Reception...and knowing the SANGEET,...the Reception would be an event to remember for a long time...The event was to be held at the Hyatt,...
After the Shaddi and a sumptuous lunch, some returned back to the Hyatt, some decided to do some family visiting...while others headed out to NY ...for some sightseeing - yes this is the adventurous, enthu group...!! With the Cocktails starting at 7:00 PM, there was plenty of time...to just sit back with your family and friends...rest those tired feet, catch up on all the events or just sleep...
By late afternoon,...
...had watched 3 of Purni's friends get their makeup done...this is truly an art!...Just loved the way the Makeup artist blended colours and applied it in a way that it looked so natural, and yet oh so beautiful!! Painted is more the word, not in terms of how much stuff was on, but the way it was done....Cheekbones and contours that earlier were unseen...now came into full view...wow!!
...then watched the hairstylist tease the hair, bouff it up and lo behold a Diva had arrived...Wow!!!
...had the schedule of who was going to drape whom the Saree and in which room...
...who was going where ....(meant the non-makeup stylists like us), to get the makeup done...
...that Raja was with his friends...chilling out...
...but Purni was missing...destination unknown...
6:45 PM...
Music starts playing...no...not the Dhol variety...this is the soft Angressi instrumental...some laughter every now and then...
7:00 PM...
Cocktails had started...as one walked into the Cocktail Salon,...they were greeted by Raja's parents...a hug from both of them...a thank you for making this day special...a reminder, that this evening was all about having a good time...so have a blast at the party...a quick photograph...and then you enter the Salon...
A beautiful 2 storied room....some gorgeous chandeliers lighting the entire area....muted music playing in the background,...women dressed in slinky chiffon sarees, gowns and some gorgeous outfits...diamonds shimmering, understated but elegant,...men in their tuxedos, looking dapper and debonair......a laughter here,....a chink of the Champagne glass...a brush of the fork on the plate....
After more conversations...meet and greet sessions...appetizers soon becoming a dinner...(there was so much food,...so many cuisines...Thai, Italian, BombayChinese, Turkish...the list was endless...!!
It was then time to go to the Grand ballroom, where the Reception was to be held...
People made they way to the ballroom...some of us were to be introduced after all were seated...Soon, the room was full,...the Master of Ceremonies took the Mike....the DJ started with some opening music...and the evening had BEGAN.....
And then, the Dhol started playing....the music became louder and ....one could hear a hush....And the the NEWLY WEDS walked in ....hand in hand ...gorgeous looking...so much in love...so very happy....
It was then time for the first Dance....
Time for some speeches....
For Raja - ...some lovely memories about Purni by Ashu,...Ravi's warning as simple "Go buy a dozen earplugs...you will need it from tomorrow!...the family you are married is LOUD"!!
For Purni - Some lovely memories about Raja...by Binti,...and Amit's loving assurance...'you just landed with another set of parents to love....'
Time for Papa & beti dance...Ma & beta dance
Purni and Prakash Uncle dancing...Raja and his mom dancing to a Hindi bollywood number...There is something so sweet, so poignant in these relationships...that one can only feel and enjoy...and thank the Lord every day, that you are fortunate to have such loving parents, who will do anything in the world for you...Thank you for always being there....
and then the floor opened to some slow soft ballroom dancing
And then it was time for some BHANGRA DHAMAKA....the dholwala came center stage and People started danceing to the Bhangra music...young...old...the Iyers trying out the Bhangra!....the Punjabi's dancing to the Bhangra!...and we had some Iyers who could actually dance like the Punjabis to the Bhangra!! and the Madira kept flowing...the Dhol kept playing...and the people kept dancing...
The next day was little Siya's birthday, what better than to have an early Birthday party,...some early wishes and get to cut the cake...Happy Birthday Siya!
Then some Photo sessions while the Dhol kept playing...and the people kept dancing...and oh yes the Madira kept flowing
...and the Dhol kept playing...and people kept dancing...
Another beautiful evening or rather night ends...
...and ushers with it, a beautiful new day, the first of a lifetime of togetherness for Purni and Raja,... as Mr & Mrs Singh...
Good morning Mr and Mrs Singh!
**********************************************************************************
Special thanks to:
Mrs Hansa Chabra Singh: for your warmth, affection and for allowing me to share a lot of the inside stories...
Bindu, Bela, Shashi, Madhu, Deep - You gals are awesome...
JaylimPhotography - You guys rock...and take the most fabulous pictures
Ravi Changa - Our Family Photographer...Your photographs are priceless...we want you out there, wowing the world with your pictures
Ashwini Acharya - for sharing the idea of creating a "Wedding blog". From Design blogs, I have moved to writing and creating wedding blogs..Girl - we have to start the Event Mgmt biz!!!...
Jaspreet and Jasmine - ...my dear friends, for teaching me so much of the Sikh culture
To everyone who made it to the wedding events - Thank you for letting us take a photograph,...share a snippet or two and putting you out on the blog...
Mytri Acharya, Sandhya Iyer, Veena Singh, Shanti Nagothu -...my soul sisters for being the force that kept me going
My family - you are the best!
My family - you are the best!
Raja & Purni - Thanks for the opportunity...just mailed you the invoice!
Felt like I really was there at the wedding, it was so much fun to enjoy the details and pics, thanks for the access!
ReplyDeleteThanks Padmaja...I take it as a compliment...Glad you enjoyed...Waiting for teh pics from Dubai
Deletewow..Anpu...totally mesmerizing !! this is like we see weddings in Yash Chopra movies:)
ReplyDeletetoo good...Purni looks absolutely gorgeous to the power of infinity :)
Again all ladies look awesome in their designers and men sharp....everything that makes a reception worth all the memories...Indeed Purni is blessed with a loving family and cousin, Anpu :)Touchwood and Godbless
Love the Yash Chopra comment...Yes Purni was looking gorgeous...and most importantly, both Purni and Raja enjoyed their weddings thoroughly...
DeleteTake care
Anpu,
ReplyDeleteEvery event of Raja and purni's wedding presented very nicely ,feels like
reading again and again
Vijaya prakash
Thanks Uncle...Glad you liked it...
DeleteThis is the most wonderful and fairy tale ending to the chronicles. Total Bollywood and pulled off by the Iyers and Singhs. Kudos to all of you. I felt like I was part of your family. Laughing uproariously at the double sided tape holding the pallu. Where did you put it? Didn't it pull off the hair. I had such a tough time holding the pallu for a friend's wedding. And I do have to say, the Iyer clan matched the Singh clan in their bhangra dancing. So proud because I certainly do not have any dancing feet. The entire album looks like a Bollywood movie. You look wonderful in your lovely sarees and salwar suit. Hmmm... now on to the next chronicles. Looking forward to many more blog articles from you. You have such a nice way of bringing out the best in everybody and making us a part of yours. Balle Balle to a great blog.
ReplyDeleteMy3
Singhs and Iyers...what a combo...:-) Yes the wedding had a fairytale feel to it...and the reception was likewise
DeleteHey teh double sidedtape is TRUE...available at Walgreens, CVS, Michaels...Officedepot...hey the models walking on teh Parsian ramps use it to keep the stuff on and no peek - a - boos...at least not the ones in the act...
Any take a long slice abt 4 inches of tape....place it at the top of the head (abt 5 inches away from teh forehead towards the back)...yes the hair sticks to it and then place the pallu on it....the cloth sticks to the tape...and will be held in place...you can jive now...:-)
remove teh tape gently....not to worry...you will not lose any hair...
And I've been mentioned!! Thank you for including me as a part of your chronicles and all for doing nothing!
ReplyDeleteYou are my rock...and you know it...:-)
DeleteI have never seen a South Indian wedding celebrated in such a grand manner, with so many elaborate ceremonies. It must have taken so much thought and planning to take it to this level.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the married couple and to also all the people who made it happen in a such a harmonies way. All the sarees and dresses worn by everybody was really eye catching. Your saree too was beautiful, but not one clear photo of yours to be seen.
Where are they finally settling?
Where was their honeymoon?
Thank you for taking us along this grand marriage Anpu, you definitely did a fantastic job.
Also don't stop writing, as there are many thing you can write on if you really want to write.
Rama...such lovely comments...thank you thank you...
DeleteRaja and Purni are living in New York....and you are most welcome...it was fun writing the blog...Truly enjoyed ecollecting every aspect...
Happy new year...was fun talking to you
Anpu
What a blog, Anpu!! I now got a vivid picture of what you had described on the phone. I took a long time to seeing it but am so glad I could spend a wonderful time going through the photos & more important, your words! Weddings can give us great lessons in our rich culture, traditions & heritage.....lovely!
ReplyDeleteBless Purnima & Raja.....& bless you for creating this wonderful book!Such glorious memories are to be cherished....
Shruti