Gurdas Mann, Mika enthrall guests at Bhajji’s Sangeet ceremony

Rachna Khaira

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Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 27

Renowned singers Gurdas Mann and Mika livened up the Sangeet ceremony of cricketer Harbhajan Singh that was held at the poolside of Hotel Cabbana on the Phagwara-Jalandhar highway today. The cricketer is all set to tie the sacred knot with Bollywood actor Geeta Basra at a glittering ceremony to be held at the same venue on October 29.

Bhajji, clad in a white kurta-pyjama with a magenta jacket and a matching turban, arrived with his family at the venue around 7.15 pm. Basra, donned in a green Lehanga choli, was all decked up for the Shagun and Sangeet ceremony.

Amongst those present in the ceremony were cricketers Dinesh Kartik, Parthiv Patel, RP Singh, Ashok Dinda, Pragyan Ojha. Though Bhajji’s close friend Yuvraj Singh was also expected at the event, he is likely to attend only the main event on Thursday.

Duo exchange heartswith rings

The couple exchanged hearts through finely crafted engagement rings designed by a Surat-based designer Archana Kochar who made them according to the designs selected by Geeta Basra. The shagun ceremony began at around 8 pm and the families exchanged various gifts comprising 101 packs of sweets with 12 specially crafted platters (thals) of Badam Barfi, Anjeer Barfi, Kaju Barfi, Shahi Dry Fruit Chikki, Bites and laddoos. Also 10 boxes of sweets included two boxes each of Shahi Badam Pinni, Chana Barfi, Shahi Madhupak, Shahi Patisa and Super Soft Milk Cake. Other items included three platters of dry-fruit, four platters of confectionery and two fruit baskets.

Sisters begin Sangeet ceremony

The Sangeet ceremony began at around 9 pm where Bhajji’s sisters, including elder one Sandeep Kaur, gave a special performance on a peppy Bollywood song “Chittiyan kalayiyan Ve”, while his cousin brother gave a solo dance performance on another pulsating Bollywood number “Sapne Mein Dikhti Hai”. The family had hired ‘Kinder’, a Mumbai-based choreographer who planned the dance numbers on the Sangeet event.

However, the last performance by the couple himself enthralled all present there. Both of them danced to the famous Bollywood number “Sajan Sajan Teri Dulhan Tujhko Pukare Aaja’ with props that included an old painted scooter with “Just married” written over it. Also the duo made best use of other props that included traditionally decorated umbrellas and also a fully decorated rickshaw.

‘Vatna’ ceremony marks the celebration

Earlier in the day, Bhajji’s mother Avtaar Kaur began the ‘Vatna’ ceremony by applying haldi on him. Bhajji’s sisters, clad in yellow suits with Phulkari work made Bhajji walk under the traditional ‘Bagh’ holding the sacred ‘haldi’ in his hand. Later, her mother Avtar Kaur began the sacred ceremony followed by other family members. The ethnicity was further infused into the atmosphere with his sisters singing traditional “ghoris” to mark the beginning of one of the most auspicious and memorable events in their family.

Elaborate arrangementat hotel

Hotel Cabbana has made elaborate arrangements to make the event a huge success. To begin with, six renowned chefs were specially flown from the Czech Republic, Germany, Japan and England to create a unique fusion of continental, Japanese, Mexican and traditional Punjabi food.

According to chef, Terry, who has been reported to have provided services to the royal family at Buckingham Palace in England, apart from making special continental dishes, he will also be making some fusion cuisines with traditional Punjabi tadka. Another Czech republic-based Indian chef Tejinder Riar said he had specially flown to plan seven live counters in all the major events lined up during the three-day long ceremony.

Also, the hotel has introduced a special arrangement a “conveyer” for the first time in India whereby the food placed on a moving trolley would be reaching the guests at their respective tables.

Nita Ambani, CM Badal likely to come

Among those who are expected to attend Bhajji’s wedding are Nita Ambani, Mumbai India IPL Franchise owner and wife of noted industrialist Mukesh Ambani and also Punjab’s Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, along with many other MPs from the state. Though Nita is arriving with her own team of professional and high-tech security personnel, the district administration is all geared up to provide a special security cover to Punjab’s Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal along with his team of MPs and MLAs from various assembly constituencies due to the prevailing unrest over sacrilege incidents in the state.