The Ladies’ Sangeet is typically a party for only the women and close male relatives of the bride held a day or two before the wedding day.
The Sangeet started out with the Haldi ceremony. Tradition states that by rubbing tumeric paste onto the brides skin, she would become fairer, and thus more pure for her wedding day.
All of the women took turns rubbing the yellow paste on Soni’s arms and feet.
Soni has never been afraid to show emotion, and the evening was full of laughter and even a few happy tears. I’ll admit I misted up behind the camera more than once.
After the Haldi Ceremony was the Chura Ceremony. The Chura are special bracelets that the bride-to-be wears before the ceremony to display her status as a bride. First, the Chura were dipped into a bowl of milk, and then Soni’s uncles placed them on her wrists.
This is called the Jago Dance. Everyone took turns with this on their head as they celebrated Soni’s upcoming wedding day.
What I love about these functions, is the fact that everyone dances. I have never seen the floor empty, and they keep busting a move until the wee hours of the morning! That’s how a party should be done!
Soni is one of my oldest and dearest friends. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to photograph this special occasion for her and her family. The colours, the traditions, the love – everything was tangible and an experience I will never forget.
