The Big Fat Indian Wedding!
Last night we went for a wedding reception. It was the reception of Aaryan’s best friend’s mother’s brother! So, you got the drift…as to why and how we were invited!? 
Met the mother only when she gave the invite, though had spoken to her on the phone many times!
So, we decked ourselves up for the occasion and left for the venue. 45 minutes later, parked our car among the sea ocean of cars. On reaching inside…it was an eyeball popping scenario!
The party was in a ground just a bit smaller than a football ground, teeming with sea oceans of people! Large screens and big LCD(or Plasma?) TVs at strategic places, covering the event. A high rise stage, where a dance group was performing on the latest bollywood music! A dozen professionals shooting the event with jazzy hi-fi equipments!
Since, it was an unfamiliar crowd, it was a perfect opportunity to study! Study???? Yeah…the people, surroundings etc!
So, while munching on the starters, it was time to look around!
The decor was lavish…with floating candles, glittering fabric of gossamer and organza with beads, floral decorations, bright lights et all.
A RJ from a FM station was hosting the event…a some what popular punjabi singer sang some songs but before that goofed up on the name of the Hosts! Must have surely annoyed the paymasters!!
The ladies were in glimmering and shimmering dresses and dazzling everybody with loads of yellow and white metals and stones over them! Each one was giving each other a head to toe x-ray like scan!
Majority of the guys were huddled together at the Liquid Diet section and were majorly in black! Surely male of the species have limited color options!
The food was an assortment of ALL cuisines!! The starters were never ending…and the main course was equally exotic! Got tired before the meal…yeah, had to walk so much to get the food on my plate!! And the dessert section was a mini bakery cum halwai ki shop!
The bride and the groom were smartly dressed in western outfits (a gown for the bride!) and were playing no longer the traditionally shy and sober role! Instead were a confident couple, chatting comfortably and looking straight in the camera!
Heard, the party went on till the wee hours of the morning!
This was just the wedding reception, am sure the wedding itself and the trousseau and gifts for the couple must be equally grandiose!
So, the question which comes to one’s mind after all this… “Does one need to splurge on a wedding and celebrate it in the grandest fashion giving it luxury of being called a Big Fat Indian Wedding?…when there are millions of needy, hungry, destitute…when this could have been spent wisely for scholarships, orphanages, medical research etc etc??
Well, it’s just a matter of choice. Your Choice!
What would be Yours?? Choice I mean!!
Images Courtesy: http://www.images.com, http://www.tribuneindia.com & http://www.regeti.com
July 9, 2009 11:25 am|
It is criminal to spend so much money on a wedding. It is unnecessary extravaganza.
July 9, 2009 1:26 pm|
If I have it, I will splurge, after all marriage is an once-in-a-lifetime affair….
July 9, 2009 1:55 pm|
Um pro-personal choice (libertarian in short).. An extravagant marriage does not apply tht the people behind it are not socially responsible. they might be involvd in social service too. (Though its sad to notice tht as one climbs the economic ladder, he/she tnd 2 bcm less empathic).
In short, if u have the money flaunt it, well nd good; bt dont forget ur responsibility towards those not as lucky as u.
July 9, 2009 2:02 pm|
@ Vipul Grover: Very well said, Vipul! 🙂
July 9, 2009 2:52 pm|
@Vipul: “Clear headed blogger” yet again!
Shilpa: undying spirit yet again!
see, how justified the manes of the awards are 😀
July 9, 2009 4:18 pm|
It depends on the person..spending on marriage is their own wish. Some feel spending is not worth. While the other might justify “everyone’s getting married once in a life time… so why not spend for a rare occassion? ”
So it always depends on an individuals view of marriage and its importance. We cannot draw a line saying this is necessary..this is not necessary.
July 9, 2009 5:49 pm|
@ Subhayan: 😀
@ Shankar: Yes, you are right, that’s why I said, “It’s a matter of choice. Your Choice!” 🙂
July 9, 2009 8:24 pm|
Well, even I agree that it entirely depends on personal choice. And the family would have worked really hard to earn that kind of money…its their earned money which they can spend in anyway.
But yes, I do dislike such opulence when its not his/her hard eaned money. Someone like a politician who spend crzily and we know that its our money, our nation’s money.
By the way..nice observation. 🙂
And thanks for the support to make Mr. Shibh realize that we indeed are overwhelmed due to the award.
Congrats to you as well. Of course I can witness the undying spirit. One blog everyday is so difficult, its a distant dream for me.
Way to go lady. Let it coming and I enjoy daily dosage of your blog. 🙂
July 10, 2009 7:33 am|
The never-ending starters make up for the dinner, themselves!!!
Also, I agree… It’s a matter of personal choice…
B/w I’ve posted the answers to the fun game… Do have a look when time permits 🙂
Have a great weekend 🙂
July 10, 2009 7:33 am|
Well ‘A Big Fat Wedding’ means a lot of employment generation as well for lesser mortals… think of the RJ, Punjabi Singer, Dancers, Camera people, event managers(maybe), the caterers, decorators, make-up people etc etc I mean list can be quite long isn’t it…aren’t they making a living out of it… some have money and they flaunt it but where does the money go… some times I have seen these “Big Fat weddings” don’t waste food but the extra goes to some organization who feed many “poor” souls… so it depends how its done… and if its their hard earned money its their choice …
But a nice observation indeed …. Good that you brought it out….
July 10, 2009 9:59 am|
@ Amrit: Hmm…yeah I agree…as long as you spend your own money!!
Got to say so many “Thank U” to you! So saying a One BIG THANK YOU!
Oh that makes it two! 🙂
July 10, 2009 10:27 am|
@ Miss Kido: I know, most of the time the starters end the dinner!
That was a cool tag, I liked it! and you too have a great weekend!:)
@ Dhiman: You have a point…these weddings are a source of employment for sooo many people!!
July 10, 2009 10:44 am|
The first few lines reminded me of the ad on TV these days… for “Pension Plans” which has a tagline: “Jab na paison ki kami ho aur na waqt ki, to awaragardi to hogi hi.”
In one of the ads… this guy talks about attending someone’s marrige in Kolkata. You may have watched it too.
July 10, 2009 11:36 am|
@ Roshmi: Yeah, I got the idea from that ad, but wish I could make it that distant relation for this wedding in my post!
BTW, I just love this ad…it always brings a smile! 🙂
July 10, 2009 10:09 pm|
My pleasure lady. You are always welcome 🙂