The word Shaadi brings to the mind of any Indian, images of fun and frolic. The Indian marriage ritual is one that is mainly focused on celebrating the ceremony in the grandest manner possible.The way in which Shaadi is celebrated differs from one religion to the other, but the basic principle of having as much fun as possible remains the same.
For instance, at both Hindu and Muslim marriages there are a variety of pre-wedding and post-wedding functions to be attended. There is the mehendi night, on which the hands of the young bride are adorned with henna patterns. Following this is the occasion on which the bride is smeared with turmeric paste, with the aim of giving her that special glow for the big day.
The wedding day itself is quite an event, with most cultures having the groom come to the wedding venue astride a well-decorated horse. He is accompanied by a huge procession that dances to loud, happy music. The procession is mostly made up of relatives, all out to have a gala time to celebrate the beginning – or perhaps end? – of life as the bridegroom knows it. The bridegroom is then welcomed at the Shaadi venue and treated much like a young Indian prince.
The wedding itself is different depending if you’re a Hindu or a Muslim. The Hindus place a lot of importance on the sacred fire. It is called to bear witness to the rite of marriage, with the young couple having to walk around it seven times before being pronounced husband and wife. For Muslims, the marriage is a legal contract that must be signed by the man and the guardian of the woman, in the presence of two or more witnesses. Christians conduct the actual wedding in a church, where a priest officiates over the ceremony.
Following the wedding – or preceding the wedding, in certain parts of India – is the reception. The reception is the grand feast thrown for all near and dear ones of the families involved. It occupies the pride of place amongst all the other functions, and great care is taken to see that the food is delectable and that the guests are sent home stuffed with enough food to not leave them pining for lunch for at least a week!
If you thought that was it, you’re wrong. After the main wedding, there are smaller functions of no lesser importance. For instance, there’s the welcoming of the bride into her new home. Some cultures also shuttle the bride and groom back and forth between their respective houses before they finally allow them to settle down in matrimonial bliss.
Shaadi is the bringing together, not only of two young hearts, but two families as well. The pomp and fanfare that is part of the Indian wedding scene is meant to set the stage for a better understanding between the two families, to better relations and to increase comfort levels for the start of a new life for the young couple.
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