Tag: wedding

May 14, 2011 - Menhdi

I’m attending a wedding this weekend. My wife’s brother-in-law’s nephew is getting married. Indian weddings or Shaadi tend to be extravagant colourful affairs. Women are decked out in their finest saris and jewelery, mostly 22k gold, and often have their hands and feet painted with mehndi. While not as colourful, the trend among men, especially the younger more affluent Indian-Americans, is to wear a modern upscale version of the traditional kurta pyjama.

I’ve rented the Nikkor AFS 85mm f/1.4 lens hoping that I’ll have an opportunity to get some beautiful photographs.

May 6, 2011 - Garba for Bhupen

Shaadi is a Sanskrit word for a wedding. Next Sunday this couple will be married. By Western standards, Hindu weddings are long, large and complicated affairs involving many and varied religious, cultural and family traditions. Indian weddings are very bright events, filled with ritual and celebration, that continue for several days. The event I attended last night is called a Garba, a kind of dance similar to many western folk dances.

I think the reason that Indian weddings take so long is that it reminds the bride and groom of the serious nature of their decision. Indian consider marriage a multi-life commitment; 7 lifetimes. If you are going to be bound body and soul to someone for the rest of your lifetimes, then the decision to marry should not be taken lightly. Unlike most western marriages which seem focused on the bride and her “special day”, Indian weddings tend to focus on the bonds and commitments between a man and a woman and their families.

Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Shaan, Rahul, and Rohan | Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Friday 6 May, 2011 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6