WEDDINGS: THEN and NOW

These days photography is one of the most talked about aspects of the wedding. With the additions of both pre wedding and post wedding photo shoots, this is an ultimate oomph factor and not just an attempt to capture the moments for a lifetime. On earlier days, it was just the camera crew shooting and video graphing the newly-wed and the guests, especially at the dinner table. The crew used to move around with a lot of wires and portable yellow lamps, if I remember right. Now with a DSLR and the right editing software, everything is so much more convenient.
Another addition to the wedding programs is Bollywood songs. Though singing and dancing were always a part of the extravaganza, cultural programs on Holud and Mehedi nights are relatively new. The dance troop almost always consists of the bride and grooms' friends and cousins, rather than professional dancers.
Instead of two separate Holud functions for the bride and groom, joint programs are being held these days which means double the fun at half the expenses. Mehedi nights were also never this popular. The marital agreement between the two people, known as Akhd, is mostly completed at homes prior to the function, whereas in earlier times this took place in front of hundreds present at the venue.

Photo: Reminiscence Photography

'Juta churi' is something that all 90s kids can relate to. It's basically the young ones stealing away groom's shoes as he took them off to get up the stage and then asking for fresh notes in exchange for the pair. This ritual, however, is dying out.
Now let's talk about THE most important part of a wedding. That's right, food which almost never disappoints but a lot has changed surely. Buffet dinner at the wedding is a trend that's picking up. Not a lot has altered though in terms of the menu. Kachchi, chicken roast, borhani and firni/jorda still remain the favourites. However, naan and kebabs are served at some places besides the usual. Menu for the Holud ceremonies are diverse. Pitha, fuchka and jilapi make up the best appetizers ever. Another thing worth talking about is the clothes, especially the brides.' We see less of the traditional Mirpuri Katans and more of Indian designer wears these days. Yellow and red used to be popular colours at Holud ceremonies. People are now experimenting with different themes and colours as fancy as turquoise.
The traditional match makers a.k.a 'ghotoks' are quite out of business recently because the various matrimony websites are slowly catching up with the mainstream techniques. On the other hand, people who have seen rather a boom in their business are the ones who run event management companies. Though they take off a lot of responsibilities off the family members and organize neater weddings, what's fun without a bit of chaos and the involvement of the near ones?
Though change is a true constant, there are some things that have retained their originality at the Bengali weddings such as good food, family bonds, and brides wearing foundations lighter than necessary.