A wedding to remember

Rameshinder Singh Sandhu 

RECENTLY I attended a cousin’s weeklong wedding celebrations. Each day was so special that whenever someone will talk about weddings, I will present this experience with zeal. Held at a village near Amritsar, it was marked with enthusiasm, rich traditions, simplicity, and unity — a rarity in these times.

Not only the wedding home, but also the entire village was gearing up for the function. Residents threw open their homes to the guests, and many of my relatives and I were among those who enjoyed their warm hospitality that simply melted our hearts.

To my amusement, whenever the guests were to be gathered for any celebration hour, the announcements were made over the village gurdwara loudspeaker, so no one missed it. The celebrations didn’t have loud DJ music, rather women sang wedding folk songs in a group for hours every day. I had seen this sort of celebration for the first time; it had its own charm. The songs were followed with traditional giddha and comical bolis.

A popular elderly chef of the village prepared ‘gourmet’ food, desserts and assorted rich traditional sweets that exceeded everyone’s expectations. He is often invited to cook at functions in even far-off villages because of his culinary skills. After every meal, the air would be filled with the praises of his food, which was way better that what is served in most high-end marriage palaces and hotels. Gulab jamuns and laddoos, his signature specialties, would give the most famous sweetshops a run for their money. 

With the daily hustle-bustle packed with so many surprises, when the day of the wedding arrived, we thought it had come too early. We did not rush to any luxury hotel for the function. Everything was arranged at home itself, except anand karaj, which was solemnised at the gurdwara. The groom and his party from Faridkot came along with performers of Malwai giddha (performed by men) in tow, instead of the usual brass band. Young men danced to the tune of old bolis, bringing to life the old wedding traditions of Malwa. 

I left the same evening, but the memories of the simple wedding travelled back with me. It was a perfect break from the world’s regular, ostentatious weddings that have redefined materialism. Going by the current tastes, most families use weddings as a platform to show off their wealth. Everyone seems to be in this blind race; even when materialism can never offer you true satisfaction.

But congratulations to this family that has set an example! It, too, had enough money to organise a big, fat luxurious wedding, but it chose simplicity and tradition. As American poet Gary Snyder states, ‘Simplicity is light, carefree, neat and loving and not a self-punishing ascetic trip.’

Let us be inspired by it and give space to the much-needed simplicity in our lives.