It was an off-day from work, so I maximized my utility by oversleeping. However, the bliss ended the moment I woke up and my mother reminded me that we are yet to book a venue for my 'holud' (a pre-wedding bash). Since its me, I promptly covered up my laziness with the flimsy excuse of the ongoing strikes in Dhaka. However, it is high time we book a venue.
I remember the movie Bride Wars where best friends turned sworn enemies for their coveted wedding venue. When I watched it I was like 'Wat's wrong with these people, why don't they just get a place and focus on the decor?'. Well, now I think otherwise. I know how important a wedding venue is.
If it actually mattered what I think, then I would have booked the hall I wanted. There is a new hall close to my home, which I really like. I could not get hold of its dates although I tried several months before my wedding. Every day in August is reserved! I was so annoyed. Why do people have to go for the venue that I want? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Daddy came to my rescue and reserved a place which was close to my home; it also had a good capacity. However, my heart still sinks for that wedding venue. Nonetheless, why are we not going ahead with the other events? Ahem ahem. I do not know. I think somewhere we are all slacking off.
Wedding venue - check
Mehendi venue - check
'Holud' venue - ?
Now I have to 'check' this field, before it's too late. There used to be a time when the 'holud' venue was the rooftop or backyard. Now it is more convenient to book a venue for the sake of accommodating the large number of guests. However, the occassion's essence remains the same.
'Holud' or 'Gaye Holud' is a special occasion for a Bengali bride (there is a 'holud' ceremony for the groom as well). Traditionally, this pre-wedding ceremony is about preparing the bride for her wedding. Turmeric paste is applied on her face and body to brighten the complexion (no matter how fair she is!). Her relatives, neighbours and friends gather around her, and take turns to rub a small amount of the beauty potion on her.
There are many rituals attached to it. I saw my grandmother applying turmeric paste on my aunt on her 'holud', then wiping it off with the end of her sari. After that, my grandmother tied the turmeric smeared end of her sari into a small knot. I heard that the sari was later to be disposed into a pond. In my sister's holud, my aunts touched her forehead with grass and sang folk songs. However, my future mother-in-law suggested that someone touched my forehead with turmeric paste seven times. My mother-in-law will tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on my wrist, after which I am not allowed to leave my house until my wedding. I am sure there is some significance to this. These rituals are tied to our ancient traditions, and there is a great degree of auspicousness attached to them.
'Gaye holud' is beyond the turmeric application on a bride. It is about songs, dances and lots of merry making. These days, relatives and friends of the bride have choreographed dance scores and skits dedicated to the soon-to-be-wed couple. It is a lot of fun dancing at such events in coordinated ensembles. Only few occassions like this bring the entire clan, whole bunch of friends and future relatives together.
I will be back with more details on 'gaye holud'.
I remember the movie Bride Wars where best friends turned sworn enemies for their coveted wedding venue. When I watched it I was like 'Wat's wrong with these people, why don't they just get a place and focus on the decor?'. Well, now I think otherwise. I know how important a wedding venue is.
If it actually mattered what I think, then I would have booked the hall I wanted. There is a new hall close to my home, which I really like. I could not get hold of its dates although I tried several months before my wedding. Every day in August is reserved! I was so annoyed. Why do people have to go for the venue that I want? Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Daddy came to my rescue and reserved a place which was close to my home; it also had a good capacity. However, my heart still sinks for that wedding venue. Nonetheless, why are we not going ahead with the other events? Ahem ahem. I do not know. I think somewhere we are all slacking off.
Wedding venue - check
Mehendi venue - check
'Holud' venue - ?
Now I have to 'check' this field, before it's too late. There used to be a time when the 'holud' venue was the rooftop or backyard. Now it is more convenient to book a venue for the sake of accommodating the large number of guests. However, the occassion's essence remains the same.
'Holud' or 'Gaye Holud' is a special occasion for a Bengali bride (there is a 'holud' ceremony for the groom as well). Traditionally, this pre-wedding ceremony is about preparing the bride for her wedding. Turmeric paste is applied on her face and body to brighten the complexion (no matter how fair she is!). Her relatives, neighbours and friends gather around her, and take turns to rub a small amount of the beauty potion on her.
 |
| Turmeric paste in a golden bowl |
There are many rituals attached to it. I saw my grandmother applying turmeric paste on my aunt on her 'holud', then wiping it off with the end of her sari. After that, my grandmother tied the turmeric smeared end of her sari into a small knot. I heard that the sari was later to be disposed into a pond. In my sister's holud, my aunts touched her forehead with grass and sang folk songs. However, my future mother-in-law suggested that someone touched my forehead with turmeric paste seven times. My mother-in-law will tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on my wrist, after which I am not allowed to leave my house until my wedding. I am sure there is some significance to this. These rituals are tied to our ancient traditions, and there is a great degree of auspicousness attached to them.
 |
| Embellished rakhi |
'Gaye holud' is beyond the turmeric application on a bride. It is about songs, dances and lots of merry making. These days, relatives and friends of the bride have choreographed dance scores and skits dedicated to the soon-to-be-wed couple. It is a lot of fun dancing at such events in coordinated ensembles. Only few occassions like this bring the entire clan, whole bunch of friends and future relatives together.
I will be back with more details on 'gaye holud'.
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