It was a warm evening, a standard in Pondicherry. The air was tense with anticipation not only was a storm brewing in the sky but there was a wild frenzy in Maison Raja, the lovely abode of the Kulturstudier students. Saris were being wrapped around in an elegant and baffling manner, guys were putting on their dhotis, pants and shirts. The entire program had been invited to a local Indian wedding of the transport company manager that supplied us with the shuttle bus that took us to our “University”. After a spurt of haggling with the Tuk -Tuk we were off! Crammed into Tuk-Tuks the flowers for the bride and groom flapped in the wind together with saris which frequently broke free as they waved in the wind.

We arrived, and minutes late the photographer ensured we were the new attraction. A camera loomed at us beaming our image onto the screens placed in the wedding hall. We entered awkwardly. I was offered sweets at the entrance which I, as a left-handed person, stupidly grabbed with the wrong hand, then came the yellow powder (where do I put it???), followed by a spray of holy water and a rose. A ceremony which I later found out was meant for the females entering the extravagant hall decorated with flowers and a giant chandelier. As we sat we received a cup of spicy soup and were greeted with live Indian music.

I was mesmerized as the sights were many and not only our girls displayed the array of bursting colours that this country loves, but the women and men brought in dabbles of diversity that delighted my senses.

As I sat soaking up the many sights I felt a small tug at my shirt. I looked behind me and there was a small Indian boy looking at me with big brown hazelnut eyes widening as he stared at my face. Suddenly he realized what had occurred and quickly shied away into his mother’s arms peeping out underneath her shielding arms. Just as my eyes had been eagerly darting around so to had he been mesmerized by the exoticness of the people sitting in the row in front of him.

And as looks of wonder met other eyes of wonder the ceremony began. Some of us had the privilege of taking part in the blessing which consisted of a decorated plate being circled around in front of the bride and groom, who sported an assortment of beads and flowers. For their involvement they came back to their seats baffled and holding a 50 rupee bill.

The wonderful bemusement continued as we all received a handful of rice which we then ensued to throw at the bride and groom as they proudly walked down the aisle. As they reached the stage they were engulfed in flashes of cameras and were the focus of the video feed. One by one people began to line up to pay their respects and offer their presents. By roughly 1000 people this took so long that we were shown to the dinner together with many other guests.

We were greeted by an array of local Indian foods placed on palm leaves, men with buckets full of food ensured there was always more to eat. This was all topped off with some ice cream and the betel leaf (which supposedly has mild euphoria-inducing properties).

After we had congratulated the groom and bride we had reached the end of the ceremony. At the door we received a goody-bag of Indian sweets and Hindu prayers. As I climbed into the Tuk-Tuk my thoughts raced through my mind interrupted occasionally by the flash of lighting as outside the humid tension had reached its pinnacle and was dripping down from the sky.

Hauke

In the Tuk Tuk transporting the gifts

 

Waiting to had over our presents and congratulate the couple