It took no less than 100 Indian weddings to finally make it to California, to photograph my first Punjabi celebration on the west coast of the USA.
It begins in a familiar way, with the maiya ceremony at the future groom's place, in Fremont:
Much like the rangoli, Gagan seems ready to get the show on the road:
Gaana is a red thread tied to his right wrist. It's supposed to be auspicious, that's all I know for now:
Soon, the groom to be is covered in yellow turmeric dough:
While peacefully carrying out their duty, his cousins are ambushed and smeared with vatna, as well:
The 'mom-tries-to-feed-the-groom-sweet-rice-and-is-stopped-by-her-sisters-in-law' ritual is always fun, but, to this day, I still don't know the meaning of it. Also, I believe it must have a shorter name:
Money is a popular gift given away every day of the wedding week. I guess it brings ... fortune?
Gagan goes to shower, taking back his dupatta:
Next day, the Chandni restaurant in Newark, is getting well prepared for the ladies' sangeet:
There's always jaago at the ladies' sangeet and this one means business:
But singing doesn't sound good on an empty stomach:
What may look like a full size dinner buffet to a westerner, it's just appetizers to Punjabis:
I also have my own reasons to be extra happy. Countless, round, golden, juicy, sweet reasons:
Stop drooling and get back to the story! (I'm talking to myself now)
Why is it called a ladies' sangeet, you ask?
Well, there are lots of ladies:
And they are singing:
Awesome bhangra performances make the evening that much better:
Enter the jaago:
At some point in the night, there seems to be a dhol competition going on:
In the same night, 2 hours away, Virpal has her mehndi done:
My second shooter, Sophak, takes care of business in the capital of California, Sacramento.
The following day I have a chance to drive up to Sacramento myself, to meet the bride-to-be for her maiya and choora ceremonies:
She brings out a tray with vatna, dupatta, gaana and oil:
In addition to the vatna, her mom uses a few grass strands to wipe mustard oil in her hair. Originally, the oil was applied to the entire hair because it has excellent conditioning properties (I wish I knew that long ago):
It's a very emotional moment for the future bride and her tears mix with the oil on their way down her face:
Her brother knows how to cheer her up:
Before the choora ceremony, some moonlight dancing occurs:
The wedding bangles are dipped in milk before the maternal uncle slides them onto the bride's arms:
This concludes the Sikh pre-wedding rituals. A multi city wedding day is coming up, with lots of high speed driving, so get some rest.
love.more.cosmin
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