THE ANATOMY OF A TRADITIONAL NORTH INDIAN WEDDING (8) - RECEPTION (Part-1): DHAM AT FAMILY HOME. The fairy-tale setting is on the Shivalik Hills, Lower Himalayas, at the romantic hamlet Vijaypur (Bilaspur), Himachal Pradesh. It's not flat ground. So the array of colorful Shamianas pitched at different levels in harmony with nature's landscape is what you see. At every level, under each shamiana different things will happen. Remember, it's a Dham for a Big Celebration.
BEFORE I PROCEED FURTHER WITH THE DESCRIPTION, IT IS TIME FOR ME TO REVEAL THE THEME AROUND WHICH ALL CEREMONIES & FUNCTIONS WERE CONCEPTUALIZED & ORGANISED - "ECO FRIENDLY - EARTH FRIENDLY - ZERO PLASTICS". And this theme was practiced to a 'T' from start to finish. All disposables were biodegradable natural material, for example, 'Pattal' plates, which in North & Central India are made from Sal tree leaves. We can only applaud such a strictly followed concept by a family that has always espoused eco promoting projects.
A “Dham”, as explained briefly in a previous Chapter, is a four to five course community feast served in a traditional manner with visitors seated on long, winding narrow matting or ground level platforms. You can be seated at a table if that works better for your comfort. A Dham usually starts around mid day & carries on till late evening - people come at their own convenience whenever free from their work or as dictated by their travel time. The meals are prepared by 'Bhotis' who are either professionals or volunteers with great talent in this unique style of 'Gastronomy' of Himachal Pradesh. One can classify them as 'Super Chefs' if volume, excellence, hygiene, freshness & taste were the main criteria. It may take barely 20 minutes to serve all five courses to a group of as big as 150 at a time - the servers are village volunteers adept at this form of traditional service. And the next group may be ready to be served with just 10 minutes of resetting. After all, several thousands of guests may have to be served. All are esteemed guests here, no VIPs. People come to participate in a Dham not just to enjoy a hearty meal but to express sentiments of warm friendship with the host. Womenfolk, in particular, come in their colorful attires to make it a real festive occasion. Integral parts of the format are music, folk dances, paying individual salutations to the Host Family members and of course of socializing & chance meetings of friends and relatives. Invitations are sent out across the community through Viva Voce or Word-of-Mouth. All well-wishers try and get represented by at least one member of their families.
So if the Host is the President of the largest political party of the World...in this case Girish's Dad, Jagat Prakash Nadda,.... if the hostess is a celebrated leader in social work...in this case Girish's Mom, Malika Nadda,...and the whole Family led by Girish's Grand Dad, Dr NL Nadda, is a very popular and loved unit in the entire region, you can imagine how many guests would come and grace the Dham and bless the young Newly Weds. There were indeed over 10,000 guests at the Dham. 20 'Kitchens' were at work for a common menu. The Hierarchy - Governor, Chief Minister & his cabinet colleagues - folks from all walks of life, from far and wide came to bless Girish & Prachi. The couple stood throughout, a tough job, with their warm smiles accepting with grace the Blessings being showered on them by each and every guest. In Hindu mythology, all the blessings you get from elders, who have walked the earth much longer, are an invaluable gift that helps to add to your treasury of knowledge, wisdom, honesty, fortune, strength and fame.
Rain at the start of an auspicious ceremony, function or an expedition is considered a very good omen, and if it is a wedding related function, it signifies happiness and prosperity to the couple and the family. That's what happened! It rained cats and dogs, upsetting arrangements. No disappointment - things were quickly put in place even as the first guests were arriving. There was cheer that the Gods had sent their approval and Their Special Blessings!
Then everything went on like clock-work. There was reverberating music by groups of traditional musicians. Lots of guests took turns to join the troupes in the 'Nati' - a traditional group dance which is a must during celebrations. Apart from guests meeting the young couple, they all went personally to convey their felicitations to Girish's Dad who situated himself at a spot to make it convenient for everyone. So also Malika who received lady guests at another spot. Many of the elder guests went up to Dr NL Nadda to pay their respects and felicitations. Another popular figure of the family who was sought after was Girish's uncle, Jagat Bhushan Nadda, an eminent educationist. Indeed of course the more intimate friends could manage the privilege of meeting the Grand Aunts, Aunts and other members of the family. I have dwelt upon this aspect because it is considered a most essential part of the function - guests go back satisfied that they had personally met the hosts despite the large numbers and have a story to tell their respective families. Remember everyone is an esteemed guest!
To round it off, at such a function there is no ostentation, everything is simple and celebratory. Guests meet the couple and hosts, participate in the Nati, greet each other, enjoy a feast and go back home. The young couple gather their blessings, the hosts show their warmth and the day ends triumphantly late in the evening. Have a glance at the photo gallery.
THAT IS AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT A TRADITIONAL 'RECEPTION' IS IN THE HILL STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH!
BEFORE I PROCEED FURTHER WITH THE DESCRIPTION, IT IS TIME FOR ME TO REVEAL THE THEME AROUND WHICH ALL CEREMONIES & FUNCTIONS WERE CONCEPTUALIZED & ORGANISED - "ECO FRIENDLY - EARTH FRIENDLY - ZERO PLASTICS". And this theme was practiced to a 'T' from start to finish. All disposables were biodegradable natural material, for example, 'Pattal' plates, which in North & Central India are made from Sal tree leaves. We can only applaud such a strictly followed concept by a family that has always espoused eco promoting projects.
A “Dham”, as explained briefly in a previous Chapter, is a four to five course community feast served in a traditional manner with visitors seated on long, winding narrow matting or ground level platforms. You can be seated at a table if that works better for your comfort. A Dham usually starts around mid day & carries on till late evening - people come at their own convenience whenever free from their work or as dictated by their travel time. The meals are prepared by 'Bhotis' who are either professionals or volunteers with great talent in this unique style of 'Gastronomy' of Himachal Pradesh. One can classify them as 'Super Chefs' if volume, excellence, hygiene, freshness & taste were the main criteria. It may take barely 20 minutes to serve all five courses to a group of as big as 150 at a time - the servers are village volunteers adept at this form of traditional service. And the next group may be ready to be served with just 10 minutes of resetting. After all, several thousands of guests may have to be served. All are esteemed guests here, no VIPs. People come to participate in a Dham not just to enjoy a hearty meal but to express sentiments of warm friendship with the host. Womenfolk, in particular, come in their colorful attires to make it a real festive occasion. Integral parts of the format are music, folk dances, paying individual salutations to the Host Family members and of course of socializing & chance meetings of friends and relatives. Invitations are sent out across the community through Viva Voce or Word-of-Mouth. All well-wishers try and get represented by at least one member of their families.
So if the Host is the President of the largest political party of the World...in this case Girish's Dad, Jagat Prakash Nadda,.... if the hostess is a celebrated leader in social work...in this case Girish's Mom, Malika Nadda,...and the whole Family led by Girish's Grand Dad, Dr NL Nadda, is a very popular and loved unit in the entire region, you can imagine how many guests would come and grace the Dham and bless the young Newly Weds. There were indeed over 10,000 guests at the Dham. 20 'Kitchens' were at work for a common menu. The Hierarchy - Governor, Chief Minister & his cabinet colleagues - folks from all walks of life, from far and wide came to bless Girish & Prachi. The couple stood throughout, a tough job, with their warm smiles accepting with grace the Blessings being showered on them by each and every guest. In Hindu mythology, all the blessings you get from elders, who have walked the earth much longer, are an invaluable gift that helps to add to your treasury of knowledge, wisdom, honesty, fortune, strength and fame.
Rain at the start of an auspicious ceremony, function or an expedition is considered a very good omen, and if it is a wedding related function, it signifies happiness and prosperity to the couple and the family. That's what happened! It rained cats and dogs, upsetting arrangements. No disappointment - things were quickly put in place even as the first guests were arriving. There was cheer that the Gods had sent their approval and Their Special Blessings!
Then everything went on like clock-work. There was reverberating music by groups of traditional musicians. Lots of guests took turns to join the troupes in the 'Nati' - a traditional group dance which is a must during celebrations. Apart from guests meeting the young couple, they all went personally to convey their felicitations to Girish's Dad who situated himself at a spot to make it convenient for everyone. So also Malika who received lady guests at another spot. Many of the elder guests went up to Dr NL Nadda to pay their respects and felicitations. Another popular figure of the family who was sought after was Girish's uncle, Jagat Bhushan Nadda, an eminent educationist. Indeed of course the more intimate friends could manage the privilege of meeting the Grand Aunts, Aunts and other members of the family. I have dwelt upon this aspect because it is considered a most essential part of the function - guests go back satisfied that they had personally met the hosts despite the large numbers and have a story to tell their respective families. Remember everyone is an esteemed guest!
To round it off, at such a function there is no ostentation, everything is simple and celebratory. Guests meet the couple and hosts, participate in the Nati, greet each other, enjoy a feast and go back home. The young couple gather their blessings, the hosts show their warmth and the day ends triumphantly late in the evening. Have a glance at the photo gallery.
THAT IS AN OVERVIEW OF WHAT A TRADITIONAL 'RECEPTION' IS IN THE HILL STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH!
Anatomy-8 Gallery Reception (Part-1) Dham: https://photos.app.goo.gl/eWuS7EwpC136yoNE6
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