Arranged Marriage of the Week

In the 5 months that I've been here, I have attended more weddings than I have over the last 10 years in the U.S. Last weekend was a particularly auspicious date for marriage. I received wedding invitations for three weddings for that weekend. This week's featured marriage is that of Ragu (a colleague at work) and Anjeetha. I promise, this will be the last set of wedding pictures I will post for a while!

I feel like an old hand at this by now. I know what to expect. I know the bride and groom will sit on "thrones" on a stage, with offerings in front of them. Unlike my very first wedding faux pas, I know that I need to remove my shoes when I go up on the stage. The bride will be adorned with what seems like a hundred pounds of gold jewelry and intricate henna on her hands. The tying of the necklace around the bride's neck will be the "main event" of the ceremony. I know that every single person will pose for a photo with the bride and groom. Then, they will all head to the dining hall, where food-laden banana leaves will be spread out. People will inhale their food; no sooner will I sit down to eat, but everyone around me will already be done with their feeding! Here, more scenes from a marriage.

Comments

[Sharon from CT]

It's so colorful...everyone looks so happy...I think they love a party!! I think it's wonderful that you've been included so often...It seems such an open and generous invitation to extend...or that Basia charisma has charmed them all!! Sharon

[Eunice]

Hey Basia, I had a great time browsing through your blog. Infact, I learnt a lot about my place of living. Hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in India. Good Day!

[sowmya]

Hi Basia

Weddings here are long, festive and ritualistic, except for Kerala weddings i think, that finish quickly:)
And its one of the best occassions to meet friends and family and be merry.

[Siva]

HI ,
I am living in Chennai. Good to see ur blog about chennai.

[Basia]

Glad to know you are enjoying it, Siva.

[Genilimaa]

What a feast! I never get invited to weddings these days, my most glorious wedding hats remain tucked away in their boxes.