Mauka Mauka Advertisement is going better and better. After India record of not losing match against Pakistan in World Cup and India broke another record by beating South Africa after 23 years in World Cup. See reaction on India vs West Indies “Mauka Mauka” Ad.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
#DEDEMAUKA , India vs West Indies “Mauka Mauka”
Mauka Mauka Advertisement is going better and better. After India record of not losing match against Pakistan in World Cup and India broke another record by beating South Africa after 23 years in World Cup. See reaction on India vs West Indies “Mauka Mauka” Ad.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Rajput Wedding, Indian Wedding
The royal weddings of the Rajputs takes place with much grandeur, maintaining the majestic and royal traditions. The wedding takes place during a few days and many rituals are conducted.
he royal wedding of the Rajputs has created a unique enigma over the years. Rajputs have still carried forward the custom of the royal family weddings. The ceremonies are always moderate and the proceedings are marked with apparent firmness. The royal Rajput wedding takes place amidst of medieval grandeur and majestic brilliance with all the splendid equipments of royal weddings since ages. Preparations for a conventional Rajput wedding begin much before than the actual ceremony.
Match-Making in Rajput Wedding
The matchmaking process comprises of a vital role in the Rajput wedding which considers various facts that match between the couple. The family and their background, is given the most importance and much care is taken to ensure that the alliance is perfect. The status of both families has to be at par. It is also very essential that the bride and the groom come from separate clans. The horoscopes have to be accepted and coordinated by the family astrologer. Rajputs prefer to marry within the community only. However, there are exceptions if either the bride or the groom comes from a royal family.
Costumes in Rajput Wedding
Both the bridal costume and groom's attire are eye catching and attractive ones. The bride wears a traditional Rajasthani dress. The bridal dress comprises a Ghagra or a long pleated skirt, a gorgeous blouse and a dupatta. The clothing is always colourful as to put up a distinction to the dull bleached hue of the sands across the Thar Desert.
Majority of the traditional bridal wear is in red but other bold colours like orange, bright yellow and various shades of pink. A lot much jewellery adorns the bride as well. There would be the Rakhri or a circular piece of jewellery for the forehead, hanging earrings, the Timaniyaan or a choker studded with uncut diamonds, the Chooda or a set of ivory and gold bangles, the Bajuband or gold and stone-studded armlets, gold anklets and the Bichhiya or gold toe-rings for the feet and finally, there is the geometric shaped Nath or the stone-studded nose-ring.
The groom's attire is the conventional attire for the Rajasthani males. The costume includes a long coat in golden colour known as the Achkan. Majestic saffron turbans are worn along with a churidar or tight salwars and royal shoes. Surprisingly, the groom also wears some eye-catching jewellery. The jewellery includes the Serpech, which is worn on the turban. Sometimes necklace is also worn around the neck and along with a cummerbund at the waist.
Rajasthani Wedding Rituals
Some of the rituals that deserve a special mention are the Haldi ceremony, Mehendi ceremony and the ladies Sangeet that form an inseparable part of all Rajput weddings in Jaipur. Various fascinating traditional rituals are performed on the Rajput weddings. Dressed in heavy brocade Lehengas, ethnic jewellery and Henna adorned palms and feet, the glowing bride awaits the onset of the groom under a brightly decorated veil. The groom, along with his relatives and friends, known as the Baraati, arrives at the venue with a lot of fanfare and is received with the tune of Shehnai, sprinkled with rose petals and rose water.
Rajput grooms put on exquisite Sherwanis and colourful turbans. Almost all Rajput grooms carry the traditional sword, which is a sign of the typical Rajasthani pride and valour. The main royal wedding ceremony is fixed in a regally decorated Mandap ornamented with hand decorated earthen pots, marigolds and other exotic flowers. The Rajput marriages are elaborate and traditional affairs that last for a couple of days. Various types of rituals and events are conducted through out this period of the marriage ceremony.
Pre-Wedding Rituals
Numerous rituals and events are conducted by the family members prior to the weeding. The pre wedding rituals announces the magic of the auspicious day.
Tilak Ceremony
Tilak Ceremony is the official engagement ceremony among the Rajputs. Mainly the male members of the bride's family go to the groom's house. Only the bride's father, brother and other male relatives actively participate in this ceremony. The ceremony, as its name goes, describes the bride's brother applying the tilak to the groom's forehead. The men from the girl's family usually present the groom with plentiful gifts such as sword, expensive clothes and accessories, sweets, fruits etc. This ceremony makes the engagement official.
Ganapati Sthapana and Griha Shanti Ceremony
Few days before the actual marriage, the Ganapati Sthapana and Griha Shanti ceremony takes place. These are conducted as very important as it takes place in the place of the ring ceremony. The groom or bride's parents to propitiate the gods perform a Havan and an idol of Lord Ganesh is placed. All ceremonies start only after the sthapana or installation of the god.
Pithi Dastoor Ceremony
This is a lovely ceremony, which takes place at both the bride and the groom's residences. The rituals include the application of turmeric and sandal wood paste to the one going to get married. The bride and the groom would not leave their respective houses after the Pithi starts. The Pithi Dastoor takes place on a grand scale at the bride's house.
For the occasion, the bride has to wear a traditional orange dress. She is made to come under a silken, decorated canopy that is held with the help of swords at the four corners by four ladies. These ladies should belong to the same clan. Then she is brought to the ladies gathering and these ladies then apply the Haldi paste on her skin. The Pithi at the groom's place is held on a minor scale. Dholans or the women singers with dholak, sing auspicious pre-wedding songs while the ceremony is in progress. Throughout the wedding celebrations, the dholans are present, along with the Shehnai and the nagara players.
Mahira Dastoor
It is again a custom exclusive to the Rajputs only. It takes place at both the bride and groom's houses. This particular ceremony involves the maternal uncle of either side. The maternal uncle along with his family arrives with much fun and frolic. The respective families receive him with greetings. The uncle then gives clothes, jewellery and sweets to the entire family. It is a ceremony that symbolises the fact that the maternal uncle has to lend a hand of help at the expenditure that his sister undergoes during her child's marriage.
Janev Ceremony
Janev ceremony is an essential ritual of the Hindu marriages. It depicts the rite of making the groom wear the sacred thread. Men wear the Janev only. The groom is made to wear the Janev on the eve of his becoming the householder. He is made to wear a saffron robe and perform a Yagya, a Hindu ritual, with the priest. The Rajputs wear the saffron robe with the thought that the groom has two particular choices before him. One that of renouncing the world by becoming an austere; and the other is of getting married and accepting the responsibilities of married life. At the end of the Yagya, the groom has to act as if he wants to become an ascetic by running away. And the maternal uncle tries to stop him and persuade him to get married.
Palla Dastoor
Palla Dastoor is one of the customs typical to the Rajputs. The ritual involves the people from the groom's family coming with the trousseau called the Palla Dastoor. A day or two before marriage some relatives from the groom's family come along with a set of things like the clothes and the jewellery, which the bride has to wear during the wedding time and also some gifts.
Rajput Baraat
Rajput Baraat is divergent from all other Indian Baraat styles. It is elegant, balanced and individualistic. The Baraat group consists of only the male members of the groom's family. Ladies do not take part in the procession. As much as that there is no dancing as the Baraat progresses across the street. The groom usually rides an elephant or a horse and also carries a sword. Also, each of the other male members of the family carries a sword as a convention.
Wedding
The bride's mother takes the groom to the ladies section after performing the customary Aarti. He is then preceded towards the wedding Mandap. In all this only a married male relative, a brother, or a male cousin goes along with him. The wedding takes place as usual with the Yagya fire and the Vedic mantras. The only exceptional thing about the whole matter is that the bride has to keep her face hidden behind a long veil throughout the marriage. The women of the family mostly attend this ritual, as the men of the house remain busy attending the guests.
Bidai
Bidai or farewell to the bride takes place a little strangely in the Rajput clan. The norm is that during the Bidai, a coconut has is placed under the wheel of the car. The moving car has to break the coconut before going on further. The bride would pull up her veil before she rides the car. The husband normally gives his wife a piece of jewellery as a Mooh Dikhai or a token gift as a sign of appreciation for showing her face.
Post Wedding Rituals
in the Rajput weddings, the post wedding rituals also comprise an important part in the rituals of Rajput weddings. After the wedding is over, starts the post wedding rituals which are equally colourful.
Grihapravesh
Grihapravesh is actually the entry of the bride into her husband's house for the first time. Some important Pujas and other rituals take place as the bride arrives at the Sasural or the father-in-law's house. Certain traditional games are played between the bride and the groom in order to make the new bride feel welcomed.
Pagelagni
The day after the Grihapravesh, the ritual of Pagelagni takes place. This is a ceremony where the bride, still in veil, is formally introduced to all the members of the family of the groom who bless her and give her gifts of different kinds. The veil is then finally removed.
Celebrations in Rajput Wedding
The Mehfils are the prime attractions of the Rajasthani wedding. A Mehfil is a stage to rejoice, where the ladies of the house gather for music and dance evening. There is of course a Mehfil for the men as well. At the ladies Mehfil, the women gather together at a surrounded courtyard or hall. They are usually decked up in sparkling dresses of all colours. Then, they perform Ghoomar, a famous Rajasthani dance. The bride at the Mehfil is given the position of the guest of honour.
The ladies Mehfil at the groom's place is the same except for the groom being allowed to be present at only ladies programme. The men's Mehfil at both the bride and the groom's residences have a different taste altogether. In these Mehfils, professional singers are invited to perform and these are exclusive for male parties.
Cuisine of Rajput Weddings
Rajput cuisine comprises vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian delicacies. The Rajputs who are Vaishnavas and those who worship Lord Krishna are strictly vegetarian and the cuisine has the dishes, which are traditional and purely Rajasthani like the Daal-Bati. Daal-Bati is a dish of cooked lentils and roasted balls of dough, served along with a number of dried or pickled berries cooked in different ways. The warrior classes among the Rajputs take non-vegetarian dishes. The food is again miscellaneous, inclusive of the seafood and vegetarian dishes. Then, there are the tandoori mixed grill delicacies with chicken, lamb, fish, and shrimp, and a dash of curry offerings.
he royal wedding of the Rajputs has created a unique enigma over the years. Rajputs have still carried forward the custom of the royal family weddings. The ceremonies are always moderate and the proceedings are marked with apparent firmness. The royal Rajput wedding takes place amidst of medieval grandeur and majestic brilliance with all the splendid equipments of royal weddings since ages. Preparations for a conventional Rajput wedding begin much before than the actual ceremony. Match-Making in Rajput Wedding
The matchmaking process comprises of a vital role in the Rajput wedding which considers various facts that match between the couple. The family and their background, is given the most importance and much care is taken to ensure that the alliance is perfect. The status of both families has to be at par. It is also very essential that the bride and the groom come from separate clans. The horoscopes have to be accepted and coordinated by the family astrologer. Rajputs prefer to marry within the community only. However, there are exceptions if either the bride or the groom comes from a royal family.
Costumes in Rajput Wedding
Both the bridal costume and groom's attire are eye catching and attractive ones. The bride wears a traditional Rajasthani dress. The bridal dress comprises a Ghagra or a long pleated skirt, a gorgeous blouse and a dupatta. The clothing is always colourful as to put up a distinction to the dull bleached hue of the sands across the Thar Desert.
Majority of the traditional bridal wear is in red but other bold colours like orange, bright yellow and various shades of pink. A lot much jewellery adorns the bride as well. There would be the Rakhri or a circular piece of jewellery for the forehead, hanging earrings, the Timaniyaan or a choker studded with uncut diamonds, the Chooda or a set of ivory and gold bangles, the Bajuband or gold and stone-studded armlets, gold anklets and the Bichhiya or gold toe-rings for the feet and finally, there is the geometric shaped Nath or the stone-studded nose-ring.
The groom's attire is the conventional attire for the Rajasthani males. The costume includes a long coat in golden colour known as the Achkan. Majestic saffron turbans are worn along with a churidar or tight salwars and royal shoes. Surprisingly, the groom also wears some eye-catching jewellery. The jewellery includes the Serpech, which is worn on the turban. Sometimes necklace is also worn around the neck and along with a cummerbund at the waist.
Rajasthani Wedding Rituals Some of the rituals that deserve a special mention are the Haldi ceremony, Mehendi ceremony and the ladies Sangeet that form an inseparable part of all Rajput weddings in Jaipur. Various fascinating traditional rituals are performed on the Rajput weddings. Dressed in heavy brocade Lehengas, ethnic jewellery and Henna adorned palms and feet, the glowing bride awaits the onset of the groom under a brightly decorated veil. The groom, along with his relatives and friends, known as the Baraati, arrives at the venue with a lot of fanfare and is received with the tune of Shehnai, sprinkled with rose petals and rose water.
Rajput grooms put on exquisite Sherwanis and colourful turbans. Almost all Rajput grooms carry the traditional sword, which is a sign of the typical Rajasthani pride and valour. The main royal wedding ceremony is fixed in a regally decorated Mandap ornamented with hand decorated earthen pots, marigolds and other exotic flowers. The Rajput marriages are elaborate and traditional affairs that last for a couple of days. Various types of rituals and events are conducted through out this period of the marriage ceremony.
Pre-Wedding Rituals
Numerous rituals and events are conducted by the family members prior to the weeding. The pre wedding rituals announces the magic of the auspicious day.
Tilak Ceremony
Tilak Ceremony is the official engagement ceremony among the Rajputs. Mainly the male members of the bride's family go to the groom's house. Only the bride's father, brother and other male relatives actively participate in this ceremony. The ceremony, as its name goes, describes the bride's brother applying the tilak to the groom's forehead. The men from the girl's family usually present the groom with plentiful gifts such as sword, expensive clothes and accessories, sweets, fruits etc. This ceremony makes the engagement official.
Ganapati Sthapana and Griha Shanti Ceremony
Few days before the actual marriage, the Ganapati Sthapana and Griha Shanti ceremony takes place. These are conducted as very important as it takes place in the place of the ring ceremony. The groom or bride's parents to propitiate the gods perform a Havan and an idol of Lord Ganesh is placed. All ceremonies start only after the sthapana or installation of the god.
Pithi Dastoor Ceremony
This is a lovely ceremony, which takes place at both the bride and the groom's residences. The rituals include the application of turmeric and sandal wood paste to the one going to get married. The bride and the groom would not leave their respective houses after the Pithi starts. The Pithi Dastoor takes place on a grand scale at the bride's house.
For the occasion, the bride has to wear a traditional orange dress. She is made to come under a silken, decorated canopy that is held with the help of swords at the four corners by four ladies. These ladies should belong to the same clan. Then she is brought to the ladies gathering and these ladies then apply the Haldi paste on her skin. The Pithi at the groom's place is held on a minor scale. Dholans or the women singers with dholak, sing auspicious pre-wedding songs while the ceremony is in progress. Throughout the wedding celebrations, the dholans are present, along with the Shehnai and the nagara players.
Mahira Dastoor
It is again a custom exclusive to the Rajputs only. It takes place at both the bride and groom's houses. This particular ceremony involves the maternal uncle of either side. The maternal uncle along with his family arrives with much fun and frolic. The respective families receive him with greetings. The uncle then gives clothes, jewellery and sweets to the entire family. It is a ceremony that symbolises the fact that the maternal uncle has to lend a hand of help at the expenditure that his sister undergoes during her child's marriage.
Janev Ceremony
Janev ceremony is an essential ritual of the Hindu marriages. It depicts the rite of making the groom wear the sacred thread. Men wear the Janev only. The groom is made to wear the Janev on the eve of his becoming the householder. He is made to wear a saffron robe and perform a Yagya, a Hindu ritual, with the priest. The Rajputs wear the saffron robe with the thought that the groom has two particular choices before him. One that of renouncing the world by becoming an austere; and the other is of getting married and accepting the responsibilities of married life. At the end of the Yagya, the groom has to act as if he wants to become an ascetic by running away. And the maternal uncle tries to stop him and persuade him to get married.
Palla Dastoor
Palla Dastoor is one of the customs typical to the Rajputs. The ritual involves the people from the groom's family coming with the trousseau called the Palla Dastoor. A day or two before marriage some relatives from the groom's family come along with a set of things like the clothes and the jewellery, which the bride has to wear during the wedding time and also some gifts.
Rajput Baraat
Rajput Baraat is divergent from all other Indian Baraat styles. It is elegant, balanced and individualistic. The Baraat group consists of only the male members of the groom's family. Ladies do not take part in the procession. As much as that there is no dancing as the Baraat progresses across the street. The groom usually rides an elephant or a horse and also carries a sword. Also, each of the other male members of the family carries a sword as a convention.
Wedding
The bride's mother takes the groom to the ladies section after performing the customary Aarti. He is then preceded towards the wedding Mandap. In all this only a married male relative, a brother, or a male cousin goes along with him. The wedding takes place as usual with the Yagya fire and the Vedic mantras. The only exceptional thing about the whole matter is that the bride has to keep her face hidden behind a long veil throughout the marriage. The women of the family mostly attend this ritual, as the men of the house remain busy attending the guests.
Bidai
Bidai or farewell to the bride takes place a little strangely in the Rajput clan. The norm is that during the Bidai, a coconut has is placed under the wheel of the car. The moving car has to break the coconut before going on further. The bride would pull up her veil before she rides the car. The husband normally gives his wife a piece of jewellery as a Mooh Dikhai or a token gift as a sign of appreciation for showing her face.
Post Wedding Rituals
in the Rajput weddings, the post wedding rituals also comprise an important part in the rituals of Rajput weddings. After the wedding is over, starts the post wedding rituals which are equally colourful.
Grihapravesh
Grihapravesh is actually the entry of the bride into her husband's house for the first time. Some important Pujas and other rituals take place as the bride arrives at the Sasural or the father-in-law's house. Certain traditional games are played between the bride and the groom in order to make the new bride feel welcomed.
Pagelagni
The day after the Grihapravesh, the ritual of Pagelagni takes place. This is a ceremony where the bride, still in veil, is formally introduced to all the members of the family of the groom who bless her and give her gifts of different kinds. The veil is then finally removed.
Celebrations in Rajput Wedding
The Mehfils are the prime attractions of the Rajasthani wedding. A Mehfil is a stage to rejoice, where the ladies of the house gather for music and dance evening. There is of course a Mehfil for the men as well. At the ladies Mehfil, the women gather together at a surrounded courtyard or hall. They are usually decked up in sparkling dresses of all colours. Then, they perform Ghoomar, a famous Rajasthani dance. The bride at the Mehfil is given the position of the guest of honour.
The ladies Mehfil at the groom's place is the same except for the groom being allowed to be present at only ladies programme. The men's Mehfil at both the bride and the groom's residences have a different taste altogether. In these Mehfils, professional singers are invited to perform and these are exclusive for male parties.
Cuisine of Rajput Weddings
Rajput cuisine comprises vegetarian as well as non-vegetarian delicacies. The Rajputs who are Vaishnavas and those who worship Lord Krishna are strictly vegetarian and the cuisine has the dishes, which are traditional and purely Rajasthani like the Daal-Bati. Daal-Bati is a dish of cooked lentils and roasted balls of dough, served along with a number of dried or pickled berries cooked in different ways. The warrior classes among the Rajputs take non-vegetarian dishes. The food is again miscellaneous, inclusive of the seafood and vegetarian dishes. Then, there are the tandoori mixed grill delicacies with chicken, lamb, fish, and shrimp, and a dash of curry offerings.
Ali Xeshan's Royal Wedding Shoot :BRIDE COUTURE
I loved this photoshoot by Ather Shahzad for designer Ali Xeshan's bridal collection, in which he re-created a 'Royal Wedding' in olden-style Lahore, which reads like a storybook (with titles like 'Bride with Family', 'The Royal Wedding at Lahore Fort' and lastly, 'The Rukhsati').
I love, love, love the traditional style of the outfits here, they're luxurious, beautifully embellished and have a overtones of Mughal and classical (not to mention royal!) influences here. I also love the mix of colour and layering of beautiful clothes with beautiful jewellery - which seems to be a signature theme of Xeshan's outfits.
And I have to say, I also love the men's outfits (but I can't say that I know many men who would be willing to get this dressed up for their wedding!)
Udaipur's Prince Lakshyaraj Gets Married in Royal Style
(L-R) Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, his mother Vijayraj Kumari Mewar, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar and Nivritti Kumari Singh Deo They were betrothed lasted summer, and their wedding promised to be a grand coming together of two prominent, regal Indian families. So when Udaipur's erstwhile prince Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar tied the knot with Nivritti Kumari Singh Deo on Tuesday, the daughter of Odisha BJP president and former minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, the wedding was predictably grand.
The couple was married at the Janta Maidan in Bhubaneswar, against a specially created backdrop of the Patna Balangir palace, complete with domes and chhatris, walls, screens and ramparts.
Lakshyaraj arrived at the venue in a Rolls-Royce before make a rather royal entry atop an elephant.
The Guest List
(L-R) Padmaja Kumari Parmar, Vijayraj Kumari Mewar, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar, Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar ,Bhargavi Kumari Mewar, Lokaviaa MewarRathore, Bhuvika Mewar Rathore and Lokendra Singh Rathore of Kotri
While Jyotiraditya Scindia played groomsman to Lakshyaraj, his baarat included members from the royal houses of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh, Bihar and Maharashtra. Union minister Praful Patel and actorVinod Khanna were also spotted at the wedding.
The couple is now back in Udaipur, preparing for an extravagant reception to be hosted at Shikarbadi. According to aTimes of India report, the guest list for the reception includes industrialists and Hollywood and Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Deepika Padukone.
Five Most Stylish Royal Ladies in Indian History
India has its own royal historical importance. It used to be a country of many different royal dynasties in the pre-independence era. Even post-independence, if may not officially but royal dynasties still happen to exist. Indian queens used to be famous world over for their incredible beauty, effortless regal style and huge social activities. They were the master of their own minds and loved to live their life luxuriously and on their own terms.
We looked back to five such royal queens, whose beauty bounded no limits! Their style and fashion sense are still remembered today and will always be decades after.
1. MAHARANI GAYATRI DEVI
Vogue described her as one of the most beautiful woman in the world in the 60’s. Late Rajmata Gayatri Devi, the Maharani of Jaipur (1939 to 1970), is the epitome of true royalty and effortless style. Her choice of fine fabrics like pure French chiffon sari draping her, a small bindi shining on her forehead and delicate pearls complimenting her outfit speaks of her style statement with the grace and poise.
Columnist Nisha Jhangiani in Verve Magazine described –
Delicate floral prints, dainty leheriyas, discreet bandhinis; she made every unobtrusive print her own, coupling them with slightly puff-sleeved blouses and a dot of a bindi. Over the years, the pale pastels may have made way for more mature teals, blues and greens; pearls may have been replaced with bolder diamond solitaires; but the sassy downward pallu drape remained. And though she may have been the recipient of many an opulent gift in her lifetime, her most treasured one was a navratan necklace of ruby, emerald, coral, sapphire, pearl, diamond, garnet, cat’s eye and yellow topaz strung on a gold chain – given to her by her Maharaja. And it’s this heartfelt sentimentality that made me fall hook, line and sinker for her sense of style.
Source : pinterest.com
Did you know?
Maharani Gayatri Devi has been mentioned in The Guinness Book of Records for having the most expensive wedding in the 1940’s. She received a blue Bentley, a two-seater Packard and a mansion in Himalayas as wedding present. Her wedding trousseau boasts of sheets from Czechoslovakia, shoes from Florence, and nightgowns in mousseline de soie from Paris. (As perwww.anaisevents.com)
2. INDIRA RAJE OF BARODA (MAHARANI OF COOCH BEHAR)
A mother passes on her beauty her daughter! It was evident the way Maharani Indira Raje Devi of Cooch Behar passed on her beauty, sensuality and taste for fine fashion to her daughter Gayatri Devi, who later became the Maharani of Jaipur and the most beautiful woman in the world. Maharani Indira Raje Devi had a grandiose charm about her.
Did you know?
As mentioned in one of the articles at verveonline.com – Indira Devi first spotted the buttery smooth textile i.e. chiffon in Paris, and being the fashion visionary that she was, asked if the available width could be extended from 34 inches to 42 inches.
She was a strong-willed personality, who used to follow her own heart. As she chose to break off her arrange marriage with the Scindia of Gwalior to marry her love, Prince of Jitendra of Cooch Behar.
Her pearl necklace and ear danglers were seen in many of her old pictures, hinting at her love for those.
Source : anaisevents.com
3. SITA DEVI OF BARODA
Known as ‘Indian Wallis Simpson’, Maharani Sita Devi of Baroda was always into the luxurious life and her love for having or buying luxurious items evidently prove that. She was known for her meticulous detail to fashion as it was said that she used to travel with a thousand of saris with matching handbags and shoes.
Akshay Chavan, a royal enthusiast and amateur historian in Verveonline –
“She loved her jewels and she knew how to capture attention. At a time when most Indian women and maharanis were photographed with their heads demurely covered, she was often seen at the Waldorf Astoria or The Dorchester, her hair thrown back to show off earrings and necklaces, hands posed so as to show off her bracelets and rings to best effect. Even her cigarette holder was studded with rubies.”
Did you know?
As per the Frenchsampler.blogspot.com – In 1953 the Maharani sold a pair of bejewelled anklets to Harry Winston. They had several large emeralds and diamonds. The jeweller set these stones into a spectacular necklace that was purchased by the Duchess of Windsor. The Duchess wore this to a 1957 New York ball that was also attended by Sita Devi. When other guests were admiring the necklace. The Maharani was heard to exclaim that those jewels looked just as nice on her feet. The embarrassed Duchess returned the necklace to Harry Winston.
It was believed that the last order that Maharani made was for 260 exclusive saris from a factory called Saree & Co., which used to create French chiffon saris.
Source : blogspot.com
4. MAHARANI SITA DEVI OF KAPURTHALA
‘Secular Goddess’ was how Vogue described then 19 years old Rani Sita Devi of Kapurthala, who was considered India’s most glamorous royals of all time. After three years, she was named amongst the five best dresses women on earth by the worlds’ top-most fashion magazines. She was the daughter of a Zamindar and got hitched to a younger son of the Sikh Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala.
Did you know?
Rani Sita Devi of Kapurthala could fluently speak many European languages. She was a muse to an Intalian couturier Elsa Schiaparelli who named her 1935 collection inspired by Sita Devi’s Saris.
The Maharani was popular for her fine sartorial choices, which bespoke her royalty in her wardrobe.
Rani Sita Devi’s was pampered a lot by her husband who loved to lavish his royal wifewith dazzling jewellery from the likes of Cartier Van Cleef & Arpels. Being true to her royal status, she was always seen wearing beautiful jewels gaining her praise and attentionamong her socialites.
Source : pinterest.com
5. PRINCESS NILOUFER OF HYDERABAD
‘Style with substance’ or ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ can best define Princess Niloufer of Hyderabad. She was a royal not by birth but by the virtue of marriage like other Queens. ‘Kohinoor of Hyderabad’ as she was popularly called, Princess Niloufer used to be considered among the most beautiful women in the world.
She used to speak about women’s rights. She also got herself trained as a nurse during World War II and carried our relief work. After she divorced her husband, she donated all her wealth to build a hospital for women and children in Hyderabad.
Princess Niloufer loved to dress up in latest fashion at social outings. Her looks and clothes were the talking point all over the country and in European cities.
Did you know?
As per princessniloufer.blogspot.com – The New York Fashion Institute of Technology showed the 1940s saris of Princess Niloufer, an Ottoman princess who married the son of the Nizam of Hyderabad. She made the traditional sari her own by giving it a Western touch through decoration and the placement of motifs. Her saris were ornamented with sequins, beads and metallic embroidery on chiffon, crepe and net, with the floral designs falling in the front or over the left shoulder. Many of these saris were designed by a Frenchman, Fernande Cecire, and embroidered in India. This is reminiscent of the days of the British Raj, when Indian princesses travelled to Paris and had saris designed by French couturiers.
In a report in Siaset.com –
Niloufer had a style of dressing that attracted the public and caught the attention of the fashion media. Her sarees were especially crafted by Madhavdas, a designer from Bombay. These were frequently studied and analyzed. Even in later years, when she shifted to wearing European style clothes when travelling abroad, she still managed to cut a fine figure. One of her European dresses formed the topic of discussion in the New York Times in 1961.
Source : pinterest.com
Princess’ clothes have inspired the attires of Bollywood leading ladies from Waheeda Rehman to Diya Mirza and served as textbooks for later designers, most recently for couturier Suneet Varma.
Rajputs wedding
MARRIAGE THROUGH THE AGES
Rajputs are the only clan perhaps who have carried forward the tradition of the royal family weddings, the grooms' riding of elephants and the brides' decked up in diamonds and other precious stones. The ceremonies are always solemn and the proceedings are marked with ostensible firmness. Thus, in a way marriage is regarded as a very serious affair in which not only the boy and the girl of both the families are involved but also the their parents and the entire family lines.
The Rajput marriages , as a rule, are grand traditional affairs. The royal weddings extend to days and is mind boggling. There are innumerable events and exhaustively rich. Even the Rajput marriage of the bourgeois class is an elaborate affair - with scores of traditional customs and rituals.
Rajput gives special attention to the matchmaking aspect of the marriage . The match between a boy and girl is made by taking into consideration many important facts. The family is the first and the foremost significant of all factors. Every care is taken to ensure that the alliance is perfect. The status of the families have to be at par. It is also very important that the bride and the groom hail from separate clans. The horoscopes have to be approved and matched by the family astrologer. Rajputs prefer to marry within the community only. However, exceptions are made if either the bride or the groom comes from a royal family.
COSTUMES Bridal Wear
The bride would wear a traditional Rajasthani poshak. It comprises a ghagra (a long pleated skirt), blouse and a dupatta. The clothing is always colorful as to put up a contrast to the dull bleached hue of the sands across the Thar. Color and verve is essential as in this barren land, color is the only reality. So, there is a sense of both flamboyance and coquetry in the bridal dress. The traditional bridal wear is mostly red but other colors like those of the orange, bright yellow and pink are welcome as well. A bright parrot green is a particular favorite of a particular Rajput clan. A lot many jewellery adorn the bride as well. There would be the Rakhri (a circular piece of jewellery for the forehead), hanging earrings, the timaniyaan (a choker studded with uncut diamonds), the chooda (a set of ivory and gold bangles), the bajuband or gold and stone-studded armlets, gold anklets and the bichhiya or gold toe-rings for the feet and finally, there is the nath or the stone-studded nose-ring.
Groom's Attire
The traditional attire for the Rajasthani male includes a long coat in golden color - known as the Achkan. There are the very majestic saffron turban worn alongwith a churidar (tight salwars) and regal shoes. Surprisingly, the groom too wears some eye dazzling jewellery, such as those of a special jewellery, Serpech to be worn on the turban. There are a necklace to be worn around the neck and a cummerband at the waist.
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RITUALS Rituals Before Marriage
Tilak Ceremony
This is the official engagement ceremony wherein only the male members of the girl's family goes to the boy's house. Only the bride's father, brother and other male relatives take part in this ceremony. No ladies accompany the men in this occasion. The ceremony, as its name suggests, has the girl's brother applying the tilak to the groom's forehead. The men from the girl's family usually present the boy with gifts such as a sword, other presents, clothes, sweets, fruits etc. This ceremony makes the engagement or alliance official.
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Ganapati Sthapana and Griha Shanti Ceremony Few days prior to the actual marriage , takes place the Ganapati Sthapana and Griha Shanti ceremony. These are held as very important as it takes place in lieu of the ring ceremony. A havan is performed by the groom or bride's parents to propitiate the gods and an idol of Lord Ganapati is installed. All ceremonies commence only after the sthapana (installation).
Pithi Dastoor Ceremony This is an exquisite ceremony which takes place at both the bride and the groom's places. This ritual applies to both the bride and the groom. It would continue till the final wedding day. The rites include the application of turmeric and sandal wood paste to the one going to get married. The bride and the groom would not be able to leave their respective houses as soon as the pithi starts. The pithi dastoor takes place on a large scale at the bride's house. For the occasion, the bride has to wear an orange Rajasthani dress. She is made to come under a silken canopy, which is held with the help of swords at the four corners by four ladies. These ladies eventually belong to the same clan. Then she is brought to the ladies gathering and these ladies then apply the paste to her. The pithi at the groom's place is held on a minor scale. Dholans (women singers with dholak) sing auspicious pre-wedding songs while the ceremony is in progress. Throughout the wedding celebrations, the dholans are omnipresent, along with the Shehnai and the nagara players, though the latter remain at the courtyard or the garden.
Mahira Dastoor Mahira Dastoor is again a custom exclusive to the Rajputs only. It takes place at both the girl and the boy's houses. This particular ceremony involves the maternal uncle of either side. The maternal uncle alongwith his family arrives with much fanfare. He is received with much greetings by the respective families. The uncle then gives clothes, jewellery and sweet delicacies to the entire family. It is a ceremony symbolic of the fact that the maternal uncle has to lend a hand of help at the expenditure that his sister undergoes during her child's marriage .
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Janev Ceremony
Janev ceremony is an important ritual of the Hindu marriages . It has the rite of making the groom wear the sacred thread. The janev is worn by men only. The groom is made to wear the janev on the eve of his becoming the house-holder. He is made to wear a saffron robe and perform a yagna with the priest. The Rajputs wear the saffron robe with the thought that the groom has two choice before him. One that of renouncing the world by becoming an ascetic and the other is of getting married and accepting the responsibilities of marriage . At the end of the yagna, the groom has to act as if he wants to become an ascetic by running away. And the maternal uncle tries to stop him and convince him to get married.
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Palla Dastoor Palla Dastoor is a custom quintessential to the Rajputs. It involves the people from the boy's family coming with the trousseau - known as the palla dastoor. A day or two before marriage some relatives from the boy's family come along with a set of things like the clothes and the jewellery which the bride has to wear at the wedding and also some gifts.
Rajput Baraat
Rajput Baraat is different from all other Indian baraat styles. It is elegant, poised and individualistic. For one thing, the Rajput baraat is again an all men's affair. So, to speak it consists of only the gents of the groom's family. Ladies do not take part in the procession. As much as that there is no dancing as the baraat progresses through the street. The groom usually rides an elephant or a horse and carries a sword. Also, each of the other male members of the family carry a sword.
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Marriage Rituals The groom is taken by the bride's mother to the ladies section after performing the traditional Aarti. He is then proceeded towards the wedding mandap. In all this only a married male relative or a brother or a male cousin accompany him. The wedding takes pace as usual with the yagna fire and the vedic mantras. There are the pheras also. The only exceptional thing about the whole thing is that the bride has to keep her face hidden behind a long veil throughout the marriage . It is mostly attended by the women folk of the family as the men of the house remain busy tending after the barati and other guests.
Rituals After Marriage
Grihapravesh
Grihapravesh is actually the entry of the bride into her husband's house for the first time. There take place the essential puja and other rituals as the bride arrives at the sasural (father-in-law's house).There take place certain games between the bride and the groom, those alike to the usual games that take place in other Hindu weddings.
Pagelagni The day following the grihapravesh, the pagelagni takes place. This is a ceremony where the bride, still in veil, is formally introduced to all the family members of the groom who bless her and give her gifts. The veil is then finally removed.
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CELEBRATIONS Music & Dance
The Mehfils are the main attractions of the Rajasthani wedding. A mehfil is a place where the ladies of the house assemble for music and dance evening. There is of course a gents mehfil as well. At the ladies mehfil, the women collect together at an enclosed courtyard or hall. They are usually dressed in sparkling dresses of all colors. Then, they perform Ghoomar, a famous Rajasthani dance number. The bride at the mehfil is given the position of the guest of honor. Though she can also take part in the dance numbers but it is generally believed that she should not overdo it. As overdoing indicates that she is not a modest and well behaved girl. The ladies mehfil at the boy's place is the same except for the groom being allowed to attend the only for ladies programme. The men's mehfils at both the girl and the boy's places have a different flavor altogether. In these mehfils, professional singers are being invited to perform and these are exclusive all male parties.
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Cuisine Rajput cuisine comprise vegetarian as well as non-vegetarain fare. The Rajputs who are Vaishnavs, those that worship Lord Krishna are strictly vegetarian and the cuisine includes the traditional Rajasthani dishes like the daal-bati. Daal-bati is a dish of cooked lentils and roasted balls of dough, served alongwith a number of dried or pickled berries cooked in different ways. The warrior class among the Rajputs, those that have warriors as their ancestors, take non-vegetarian dishes. The food is again diverse, inclusive of the seafood and vegetarian dishes. Then, there are the tandoori mixed grill with chicken, lamb, fish, and shrimp, and a smattering of curry offerings. SOME STRANGE CUSTOMS
Bidai
Bidai or farewell to the bride takes place a little unusually in the Rajput clan. The norm is that during the bidai, a coconut has to be placed under the wheel of the car. The moving car has to break the coconut before proceeding further. The bride would pull up her veil before she rides the car. The husband normally gives his wife a piece of jewellery as a mooh dikhai (a token gift as a part of thanksgiving for showing her face).
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