And for a Friday after one of the most opulent pre-wedding functions in the world, some thoughts….. some musings…..
Most upper middle class Indians and NRIs all over the world have been enjoying the Anant Ambani pre-wedding, thanks to the sleek previews, Reels, Videos and global media coverage (ofcourse it was all virtual, vicarious pleasures). Actual Invites were only restricted to the super rich and famous and the most powerful and beautiful. Pop icon Rihanna, Ivanka Trump, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Emirs and Sheikhs, all the Khans – Shah Rukh, Salman, Amir, they all came to the function to an obscure small town of Gujarat – Jamnagar – home to the refineries owned by the Ambanis. The venue was described as “seven star celebrity campus”. The staggering scale and sheer opulence was extravaganza redefined.
Marriages in India have always been much much more than a man and woman coming together to start a new life, it’s been families co-jointing. With the economic growth, the concept of “the BIG FAT Indian wedding” has firmly taken roots. It’s a huge industry. Wedding planners, travel guides, destination weddings, designer clothes, curated cuisines, specially designed jewelry, the works. On average, in November-January of every year, wedding season, about 3 million marriages take place generating business of approximately 5 lakh crores. It’s mind boggling and traditions vary from state to state. The shortest wedding functions are the Nairs of Kerala; Thali tied, Podava tray given, Done. All over. If you take more time parking your car, you miss the real marriage. The TamBrams have a ritual wherein the bridegroom gets disillusioned with the concept and walks away to Kashi (Benaras). In the martial race of Coorgis in South India, the Bridegroom has to show his macho strength. Instead of chopping his enemies at the marriage venue, he uses the sword and chops off a few Banana plants. Every place there are variants. Yet so much is the same. 3-4 days of festivities, Sangeet, parties, booze, entertainment, fun and frolic.
Indian marriages are most stressful for the Parents. But the real fun is for the invitees. Let’s all keep the good traditions, root out the unwanted and let each family be within its budget limits, the planned way, the sustainable way, the SEEGOS way.