Band Baja aur Baraat!

बैंड बाज़ा और बारात  : Epitome of Happiness!

Image Courtesy : clip-art-free-clipart.blogspot.com

Yesterday was a happening day. Guess what was so special? कल मेरे यार के 'भाई 'की शादी थी.  It was a typical Kumaoni (Uttarakhand, India) wedding. I enjoyed a lot. I danced in all best, impossible, self-invented, on-the-spot style way, one can think of and yes for 2 hours non-stop. Yes! It was my non-stop dance display from the road with dhol-nagada 1000watt PMPO heart thumping beats to the dancing floor of DJs. Beautiful girls were dancing, so that was another feel good factor. Along with my friends, in sync, in coordination I danced.

Many times joined by little hesitating but equally curious chance performers who were the other Baratis. The slow rhythmic dances, swinging on both left and right direction, use of hands in विचित्र मुद्रा  some exploration kind!, slightly bending towards the ground, with beats of Pahadi songs full of nasal twang, ultrasonic, electronic voice created an environment of joy. Then moments came when the dance floor made of wooden blocks came to the verge of getting broken with jumps to the  every single person was enjoying, a contentment, laughter, and an environment created for just one reason that WE ARE HAPPY.  This is the beauty of the Indian Weddings. One can explore his/her hidden talent, potential in form of dance.

And of course पहाड़ी शादी have its own charm. It is distinct from others, given the kind of rasam-rivaaz that are followed, not merely as a customary duty, but as a moral, social obligation, where the feeling of participation, coordination comes naturally. The customs performed have their own meanings; they are scientific and interesting to watch. That is why the entire ceremony finally concluded in the wee hours at 5:30am with the Saat-Pheras. The rasam-rivaz continued whole night, with Pandit ji chanting mantras, making the newly-wed couple nervous, sometimes irritating with the recitation of clauses given in the shastras/holy texts, oath swearing, and so. The band party team was already in deep slumber with their drums, brass and other equipments scattered here and there in the banquet hall. Some of the guests in the name of that they are still wide awake and are viewing the function, slept in the banquet hall, sofas itself, but intermittently they did remind their relatives that are still awake, and that if god forbid they get into deep sleep and miss the pheras then please do wake them up. As we were group of friends so we didn’t feel any need to sleep. It was because of gossips and the excitement of after meeting so many years.

There were two priests, both equally talented but soon became competitors as the time progressed. The old priest turned out to be the ultimate winner, with his all mug up knowledge and techniques. Of course given his age, he was unbiased winner. He dominated the younger priest who had no other option then to reluctantly oblige.

It was dancing; soft drinks (which included coke and other beverages, and not the other type of soft drinks), coffee, snacks and water which kept us awake with full spirit till 6 in the morning. Generally during such occasion where there several options I generally lose my appetite so I just gorge on snacks or few main items. I had a good time. I enjoyed a lot.

- Harish Benjwal