Kiran Sawhney

Suit boot mein aaya kanhaaiya.... How cute is he? And he knows he is cute....Look at his expressions. All dressed for his Mamu's (mom's brother) wedding reception. 

In August, I had driven to Agra and written about it here. What I had not written was the following story. I started from Delhi early in the morning and estimated that it would be a day trip on new Expressway. I reached Agra in 2 hours. It took me another one hour to drive through the city and reach Taj Mahal. After seeing Taj Mahal, I was out in an hour. By that time it had started pouring. I could barely make it to my car. I was soaked and wet. So I thought of driving to Amarvillas for a nice lunch and getting dry. The rain had not stopped. But I had a nice, leisurely lunch. I was still on schedule and estimated that once on expressway, I would still be able to make it to Delhi in two hours. So I started driving back. Now, there are two parallel roads that take you from Agra to expressway. I started on one. The traffic moved at snail's pace. The road seemed to be clogged with water. It took me about an hour on that road and yet, I was not on expressway. Cars ahead of me had start...

Check my brother's wonderful video here. Complete bollywood style. Rahul & Namrata Music Video from Nayeem Vohra | NV Wedding Films on Vimeo .

A special dhol waala (drum), who is really famous, was specially flown in from Delhi to Las Vegas for the wedding. In the hotel we had dhol (drum) playing.  The bride's family was there to receive the groom and his family. The whole thing looked splendid. My dad, being senior most of the family, met the bride's father (milni).  They greeted each other warmly. Exchanged garlands. And hugged and embraced each other. The two families were getting united. Everyone present was so happy.

It was a wedding to remember. Something very grand. Witnessed by Las Vegas. People all around gathered to see us Indians in our full finery. People were clicking our pictures like paparazzi. We were having a ball of a time. Here I am proud sister with her two handsome brothers. One of them is a groom. With my chachi. Sister (that is me) doing sehra bandi- making the groom wear sehra (on his head and face). While pandit ji (priest chanted his mantras). Both sisters doing it together. My little nephew was Sarbaala. It is like the best man- but in Indian marriage, he is the young boy, a family member, preferably sister's son. So here he is. In in Las Vegas, there was a ghodi (the horse), on which my brother sat like a prince, going to get married to his beautiful bride. My nephew, his sarbaala, sat with him. My dad, the head of the family, enjoying all the celebrations and giving his blessings. We even danced on the road. That is how Indians do singing dancing, dhol (drums) on the roa...

Here are more pictures of my two sister's children. They were again color coordinated. And stuck together. Playing together. They look so cute.

The next day was Sangeet ceremony. Sangeet is like a musical night in Indian weddings where we have lots of Bollywood dancing, music and revelry. It was such a gala event. There was lots of pre planned choreography from the bride's side.  Below is Yours Truly with mom, dad and my adorable nephew. My chachi (aunt), my good looking, cousin brother (chachi's son) and his fiancee. My brother is 6'3" tall. It shows. With mom and nephew in out hotel room. After getting all dressed. My other younger sister, my other cousin from New Zealand and his wife and daughter. My younger sister.  Dad with his two daughters. Laughter and cheer in the air. My chachi. I wanted to wear this traditional jhoomur (hair accessory), for the sangeet. Watching lovely dances being performed. That is my other cousin brother who is performing. Mom and dad watch the dances intently and enjoying. And here comes Yours Truly. How could I not dance for my brother's wedding? With my chachi and other go...