Now it is in no way related to "2 States:The Story of my Marriage" despite couple being from two different but interlinked states.To start with, it was a perfectly planned "arranged marriage" and so far away from the typical melodrama of a love story.So here i go....(Seems to have given a huge build-up!!!)
It was a typical big fat Indian wedding.Actual marriage was on Dec 2nd in my hometown "Madhupur" but celebration started long before that. People started pouring in a week before. In fact some of my relatives were already there in my hometown when bhaiya reached.And it was not because they wanted to give bhaiya a grand welcome upon his arrival.By the time i reached (5 days before the marriage) , I was like "OMG, is the wedding date today only or what" - So many people!!!! No sooner did i finish off formalities (an ideal son needs to pay homage to all elderly persons present at any point of time), I was surrounded with my sisters/bhabhis/brothers. For once, I felt like the bride-groom(In fact i did not see any attendant at my bhaiya's disposal at that moment). It took me a while to realize that they wanted me to dance on stage during "Geet Sammelan" (It happened a day before "actual" wedding date). My first reaction was "NO Way". Then all those big-big emotional dramas and I had to cave in.
Then started a dancing school with everyone except me being teachers of varied subjects.The excitement level was such that the performance meant for one was being practiced by other fellow.And this was evident even during late nights when all other people used to snore loud in their room.My confidence reached to such a stage where even i started "choreographing".It was so fun-filled that we were willing to give up our good night sleep with no qualms.And finally after 3 days of practice we were confident of giving "Ladkiwallahas" a run for their money.
They say "Think of God before starting up anything new".On that note,we had something called "Kirtan"(Jaagran) a day before "Geet Sammelan". It is a sort of ritual to don "Kurta-Pyajama" on this auspicious day.It all started with people sitting like true devotees and clapping out of tune to ongoing bhajans(Their devotion though was completely in tune). Later on when it started becoming monotonous,we decided to make some movements with our bodies and made others do the same (and no prior rehearsal was required for the same).Even people who were chanting those bhajans got charged up.This went on and on until people got tired and felt sleepy. In fact by the time Kirtan was over, I was on my bed dreaming about my to-be performances(yes,i had two performances on my name).
"Ladkiwallahas" reached Madhupur the next day and being an elder "Devar" I myself received bhabhi and her family.It was like other days until evening with more and more people queuing up for buffet."Geet Sammelan" started with a bang as expected with some good performances from both sides. It all looked hunky-dory until my first performance when pen drive where we had copied songs stopped responding.For once,I felt that this will play spoilsport but then came up with the idea of replacing laptop with that DVD Player.Needless, to say, there were no more technical glitches with each performance outliving the others (Though none of our performances outdid "Ladkiwallahas"). But mine acts were well received by others (May be they were expecting me to perform pathetically and were surprised not to have found so). But the best parts were the songs my dad sung for my mom (One was evergreen "O meri zohra zabeen") which set the stage for a riveting show and the other one was dance performance from my bhabhi where she expressed her deep love for my bhaiya who was shell-shocked seeing her perform. Finally, the day (or rather night) ended with arguably superb poems and shayaris.
Then came the biggest day-wedding day (December 2nd)!! This is the day when bride is being treated like a princess and groom like a prince.Moreover groom's brothers and friends end up being "people at his service anytime and every time". I don't know if it is done intentionally but groom starts making some non-sense demands no sooner he gets up in the morning on his wedding day.But as said he has to be treated like a prince with everything at his disposal.And bride.....she is not even allowed to let her feet touch the ground for reasons like "Yeh paanv zameen par mat rakhiyega...maile ho jayenge"!!!
Coming back to bhaiya's marriage....It all started with "Haldat" where everyone made his/her best effort to make bhaiya look like a "Chirkut". Haldi mixed with curd and God knows what was applied all over his body one by one.Once it ended, people started craving for dance (sort of rehearsal for "shaadi dance"). And who could have better instigated them other than "Munni". The song was played again and again and again and brought out the best(or rather worst) in everybody.
The fun-filled morning functions had set the tone for perfect evening. It is said that younger brothers take delight in their bros marriage more than anyone else. This fact for once was re-established. The evening started with people rushing to their allotted rooms to dress themselves up in the best possible attire and make themselves look best ever despite knowing the fact that no one would care to have a glimpse of them. But people like us (who were supposed to be at bhaiya's service anytime and every time) spent most of the time looking after bhaiya. Once we made him ready for his performance (which was to smile,smile and smile),we realized it was time for us to look good enough so as not to be mistaken for waiters. While I was combing my not-so-thick hairs, yet another function "Korath" was taking place (Let's not go into the details of this) downstairs. And then started "Band-Bajaa-Baraat" - It is one of those rare opportunities, where people from different quarters and corners get the chance to showcase their "never seen" dancing skills. Some of the steps though enthralling, were literally "out of this world". Even those who complained of joint-pain and all made their last-ditch effort so as not to remain mere audiences. By the time we reached the location for reception ,we were sweating profusely.
Next we (i mean bhaiya-bhabhi) had "varanmala" followed by photo-sessions (This was where bhaiya and bhabhi together had to give live performance- remember smile,smile and smile). Then we had literally waste part "Sajjan Ghot"- A bad old tradition of wasting food (Khatirdaari, u say). "Ladkawallahas" are made to sit and then served all items prepared for the reception party right from pickle to big-big pooris. You say "NO" to any one item and get prepared to have more of others. I for once tried and ended up being on the wrong side of "Khatirdaari".
Next,it was "Pheras". But before it started I heard lot of hullabaloo somewhere near to bhaiya's room. On reaching there I found bhaiya's saalis (I mean aadhi gharwaalis) arguing with my younger brothers over bhaiya's "Jutti" - As a ritual, saalis need to somehow get those "Juttis" while bhaiya sits for pheras and other formalities. But that did not happen there, "Juttis" being under the control of my bros. I tried not to involve but was forced to do so when my younger bros found it too difficult to handle those 7-8 saalis. I demanded an apology from them for being not present when bhaiya left for pheras. But on expected grounds, they were not willing to offer any leading to a stalemate. But this did not last long as we were being forced to hand-over those "Juttis" to them. The night ended with competitive "Antakshari" where we matched up to "Ladkiwallahas" in every aspect (It came as huge relief after those dance performances on Geet Sammelan where we stood no where near to them).
Last but not the least, it was "Bidaai".It is the only event where "Ladkawallahas" are not sure how to react when they see bride side weeping (I am not sure if that comes straight from the heart) They can neither weep nor smile and so waits for this 'Bidaai" to get over as early as possible so as to get back to normal. This actually what happened to me and was so relieved when bhabhi was finally bid goodbye.
Marriage surely makes a difference in life.The guy will have to share half of his room and wardrobe with one more person. Less does he know that soon he ll have to share half of his left over wardrobe also. For girl part, she will have to start a new innings of her life among new people in a new place which is never easy. I wish my bhaiya-bhabhi longest and happiest married life.
