Local Excitement!

Weddings, as we all know, are treated with much seriousness and enthusiasm by us Pakistanis. Months of hard work (dance practices), exhausting creativity (what to wear), extensive planning, plotting and scheming (family politics) all go into the preparation for the perfect wedding. My favourite function- the mehndi.

The sights and sounds of the typical mehndi are one you can never forget.

A glittering  shamiana surrounded by yellow, green and gold. Young and old— all (over) dressed to kill. Sleek hairdos, eye-catching ghararas, shararas and saris, tons of jewellery, and loads of laughter. There’s always fun in the air. Girls and boys from both the bride and bridegroom’s sides get ready for a song ‘n’ dance contest. The shamiana vibrates with loud cheerful music and chaotic dancing — everyone swaying and bumping to their own choreography.

The stage is all set for the couple, beautifully decorated with fresh yellow flowers.  The groom always makes the entry first, surrounded by friends – all in similar outfits. Black shalwar-kurta and the traditional Sindhi patka, doing the banghara all the way to the stage.

Just after midnight all lights are switched off. Deafening hoots, screams and wolf whistles follow. Girls in yellow ‘n’ green carrying decorated thals with lit candles, mithai, glass bangles and henna, and boys carrying mashals, walk in singing and dancing. The music announces the arrival of the bride. Everyone wants to get a glimpse. The bride in yellow makes a grand landing from the age-old doli and walks the rest of the distance to the stage under the shadow of a huge red chadar held by friends and family. She takes her seat besides the groom, looking lovely in fresh flower jewellery – red roses around her neck, wrist and hair.

Next, is the rasm-e henna… seven suhagans (married women) take turn to put mehndi on the bride’s palm and feed her with mithai, rolling 50 or 100 rupee notes over her head to drive away evil eyes and spirits. This money is collected and given to the poor as sadqa. Then, seven women from the groom’s side take turn and the same rasm is performed on the groom.

While some people crowd the stage and videomakers do their job to get a glimpse of the brides shy face, others bite into garma garam barbecue and biryani, and other yummies. Gajar ka halwa, and jalebees right out of the karhai are cleared with hot Kashmiri chai and pan. 

After all, it is an understood fact that majority of our loyalty lies with delicious food at weddings and not always the wedding itself.