Kate's hand hennaed in traditional wedding designs. Like any wedding anywhere in the world the nuptials always include a party. The Sikhs are no different but they take it to a degree that is not seen in many parts of the world much less the rest of India. Most Indians do not drink at their parties and the Hindu majority does not eat meat. However the Sikhs, according to one family member, Sonny, love whiskey, chicken, mutton and dancing. My participation in the the many parties around the wedding bears out that statement. It is difficult to know how many parties there were because they seemed to merge together in a haze of loud Pujabi folk music, whiskey and a variety of rich foods. However, I am sure that the first night there was a party in the community room of the apartment complex of the family.
As we enter the room which is gaily decorated with columns wrapped in saris, flowers as streamers and oriental carpets on the floor we are instantly directed to the bar for the beverage of our choice. Uniformed waiters circulate offering tasty hors d’oeuvres of tandoori chicken bits, battered fish fingers, and some kind of deep fried vegetable balls. The bride and groom were subjected to an endless round of photos with everyone at the party. A videographer walked around the whole evening videoing everything in sight. As I walked around I noticed three drummers in ethnic dress who soon started to pound out Pujabi rythmns and the crowd responded with enthusiastic traditional dances. We, after a few drinks, join in the dancing and danced as if we had danced these dances all our lives. After several hours of dancing, dinner was served buffet style with several dishes including(surprise) mutton and chicken. This party fizzled out around midnight because everyone had to get up early for the wedding the next day.
Richard with the bride and groomNote: Several of you have commented on my pink turban. Apparently, it is traditional for friends of the groom to wear this color as pink is considered an auspicious color.
The following day immediately following the wedding ceremony, a reception was held at the Tally Gunge Golf Club. Again there were endless photos of the bride and groom, lots of canapés and another huge buffet meal. We returned to the family home to hang out and get to know the family better. I have never met a more congenial or gracious bunch of people. I felt truly welcomed and felt like I was becoming a member of the family. Kate, who had preceded our arrival by two days, was definitely in the bosom of the family.
Deb in beautiful hand made sari
We wait for our ride The last day of the festivities was spent in wait for the grand finale, another reception. This one was thrown by the groom’s family in the ITC hotel which is a five star establishment. The pattern of the previous parties was repeated with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres dancing, dinner and more dancing. This night was pure magic as the two families, Italian and Indian, had by now merged into a familiar unit. Deb, Kate and I felt included in this melded melange. Everyone was dancing to the Punjabi, American and Euro-pop. I have never had so much fun dancing. The Sikh men dance with abandon and seemed to challenge each other to dance to greater heights.
Prit busts a move Everyone got into this and throughout the night one dancer or another would find themselves in the midst of the group being egged on including yours truly. I busted out some of my best moves to nods and claps of approval. Several of the family told us that our enjoyment of the music and parties increased their enjoyment of the parties. All in all, it was probably the best wedding I have ever attended because as the post title suggests, Sikhs really do know how to party.
Kate and Deb with our hostess Shobra
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