The East Indian Community

Sugar Ceremony:

The East Indian Community is steadily loosing count of some cherished customs of marriage. The proposed marriages are practiced by a large section of he community though love marriages are popular. The proposal of marriage usually emanates from the girl’s relatives. After completion of inquiries the acceptance of the proposal is conveyed through a Match Maker. The dowry in the form of gold ornaments, clothes, and other gifts is settled subsequently, no demands are forced upon. Thereafter, Sakhar Puda is arranged and the family relatives join for the function at he boy’s residence. Customarily, the transaction is announced prior to exchange of sugar and cheers between both the parties as a mark of new relation. The Engagement ceremony has been waived in the present economic stress. Traditionally, The East Indians marry with their relations. However, mixed marriages are on the increase.

Marriage celebrations among the community conform to the traditional mode of Ceremonies. The main celebration last for five days. February is the month devoted to general marriages due to occupational leisure. The general rejoicing starts almost from the day the first `Bann’ are announced in th Church. The practice of personal invitation, in Marahi `Avat’, is considered respectable though printed invitations are in fashion. The family relatives are given `Maan’ on the eve of the marriage Marriage needs preparation and the same is attended by a boy and a girl at the Church. Regular marriage preparation programs are arranged by Snehlaya, Bombay.

Celebrations:

Thrusday:    Mandap...The pendal is erected in front of the house.

Friday:         General Preparation

Saturday:     At mid-night a torchlight procession of dance and singing for UMBRACHAPANI, wends its way to a village well. They pluck mango branches, drop them in the vessels carried by KARAVLYAS and the water is drawn for the  bridal couple’s purificatory bath for Sunday Morning.

Sunday:       Wedding

Monday       JHETAR…Symptuous dinner specially served to honour all those attended marriage and presented gifts

Wedding Day:

While the bridal couple dress, local wedding folk song are sung. The bridal couple receive blessings form parents and relatives before leaving for the Chruch. Photographs are arranged. Brides party walks in procession to the Church accompanied by a local band or Vajantra. Band is sent to the bride’s house to bring her to the Church. The couple is led by the brother or sister in the procession. Bride and bridegroom walk under the colourful SATIR. Members of the family, relatives and friends join the  nuptial mass in the Church. The impressive ceremony of uniting the couplein Holy Matrimony in the form of consent and marriage vows (I DO) take place during mass and Rings are exchanged. The couple leave the Church in procession to the bride’s house.

Reception:

The wedding party adjourns at Brides residence for a short reception and then retire to a near by UTARGHAR. The couple leaves for photography to the studio and in the meantime invitees gather to wish the couple and raising of the TOAST, the wishing starts and each guest showers a few flower petals or confetties and feed the couple with a  pinch of sugar or a piece of date. Then, the good wishes for a happy married life are conveyed with te shaking of hands and a useful gift is presented. The presentation of SARA is a n important and colourful function on the wedding day afternoon and PANCHPOTHNI on the next dat. Reception in the hall is popular now.

East Indians have a vairety of songs:

Songs sung at a marriage:

Traditional songs are sung for all the days of the marriage ceremony starting from :Invitation,  Sadi-Choli Ceremony,  Moya Ceremony,  Saivar Ceremony,  Leaving for the Church,  At the Brides house,  Sara, upto to the point that the Couple takes leave of all present for the ceremony.

There is a lot of fun that takes place on all the days of the weddings, some of the songs sung are heard at parties and picnics as well.

Click here for the few songs that are typed in.

Other East Indian Songs:

http://www.eastindiansongs.com