Pioneer-DilliBilli-Feb.26th.2012-'The big,fat,ugly Indian Wedding'

'The Big,Fat,Ugly Indian Wedding'
People spend hundreds of crore on a wedding and yet are unable to make it look elegant. It is unfortunate that these functions are organised in such a distasteful manner.

Last week, I attended a few weddings. They were all over the top when it came to decorations and food. I am not grudging that people should not spend money when it comes to wedding or other functions. After all, it is their money and they can spend hundreds of crore. What I am concerned about is the distasteful manner in which such functions are held. I may have not have believed it if it was hearsay, but since I was present for these functions, I had a first hand-experience of them.Usually, such weddings are devoid of any emotions as they are handled by wedding planners who are extremely professional. No effort goes into taking into account the emotional needs of individuals. It all starts from invitation cards which cost thousands of rupees. Though they are very expensive, they lack class, they lack the touch of our rich heritage and culture. The fact that they are sent with inedible locally-made chocolates and are ugly, only adds to the distaste. I personally prefer a wedding card to be accompanied with a mithai ka dabba or the traditional shakarparas.If this is not enough, they have international performers flown in from across the world. Since most people have not heard of them, they don’t even bother to listen to them while they are performing. I am sure these artistes feel insulted.In the name of hospitality, the host drowns the guest in Patiala pegs who then do their own style of bhangra which looks awkward. And then, there are elderly women who forget their huge sizes and go for the latest designer wear. The saris studded with real diamonds and rubies makes them look gaudy. The men, instead of dressing in elegant kurta-pyjamas or a sherwani, wear a suit with a tie that has a precious stone for a tie-pin. And then there are young girls. Though their lehengas are beautiful, one will need binoculars to see if they are wearing a blouse!Attending the wedding of a prominent person’s daughter was an eye-opener. Interestingly, the family was Hindu yet the bride was wearing a gown. If it was supposed to be on the lines of a Christian family, they forgot one main thing — the bride wears white!But they decided to go with blue. The decorations were in blue. The bride was wearing a blue gown. The bridesmaids, too, were in matching tiaras and gowns. A 10-foot-tall blue and white cake stood in the middle, overshadowing the bride and the groom. The food section had counters — Paris, Italy and London. I didn’t know whether to be amused or sad.These people need to thank God for the privileges they enjoy. But in their effort to announce that they have made it big in life, they end up making fun of themselves. But I would also blame the planners. They need to understand that it is not always about making money because their client can afford it.People have forgotten that India is known for its simplicity, rich heritage and culture. It is this that we need to pass on to the next generation. One has to remember that it is not money that makes a society rich, but the values that the society inherits.