Band Baaja Baraat

B for Baraat

North Indian weddings are all about opulence, vibrance and a lot of noise. Baraat, a Bridegrooms wedding procession, in which the Bridegroom with his family and friends (called Baraati) goes to the venue of wedding to wed his bride, wins by great margins when it comes to pomp and show, lights and glow and excitement overflow.

If you happen to be in north India during the peak wedding season, which is mostly from February to April or November – December, and are staying in the vicinity of wedding venues,  do not expect a peaceful sleep in the nights. Every alternate evening you will have Band, Baja & Baraat knocking on your eardrums with loud Bollywood music, flashing lights, fireworks and a group of 35-50 people dancing to Dhol beats. As a kid I still remember how for every passing Baraat I along with my brothers used to rush to the balcony to watch Baraats. It was always fun to see so many people dancing on the streets making funny gestures while shaking legs, and the Band playing some all time hits, some new and some "must play" Baraat songs.

The baraat has a Bridegroom sitting on a well decorated mare, with his turban and sword (almost looks like a kid in a fancy dress) and he is the most sober of the lot. Rest of the Baraatis, totally high on music and dance, walk towards the wedding venue.

One of the song which is played in each Baraat and has always left me wondering, what could be the relevance if a patriotic song to a wedding.:

"Yeh Desh Hai Veer Jawaano Ka, Albelo Ka, Mastaano Ka ..Is Desh ka Yaron...Hoyeeee...Kya Kehna"

(This is a patriotic song and means ..This country is of brave young hearts, carefree people ... and this country cant be praised enough"

Have a look . Click Here for the video

Contrast to a Punjabi Baraat, a Rajput Baraat is more royal, regal and silent. They do not have jumping jacks going berserk after each song. They also do not have the female glamour, as only male family members join the procession, all dressed in finery, turbans and carrying a sword. 

I feel the idea behind a Baraat and its high voltage drama is to go all out in expressing the happiness and excitement of welcoming a new member to the family. The marriage is not between the two people, but between to families, and Baraat is the onset of that life long extravaganza.

The procession finally ends with "Milni" where the Baraatis are welcomed by the bride's family with garlands and warm hugs. 

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As promised I will feature that one A to Z post each day which connected with me or made me "Ask for more" With such amazing and innumerable posts around, this is a hard task I took upon myself. Everyone has written with passion and most of them struck the chord.

But a promise is promise. So here are my star posts of Day 1 & Day 2. 

Day 1 Star

Does your heart goes out for travel..Well, then  do not miss Eli's A to Z 26 day world tour. In her first post she takes us to Athens to see Acropolis 

Day 2 Star

Has anyone till date cracked the complex puzzle called marriage. Well I still am waiting to meet one. But Shilpa seems to have a great insight . The ease of her words will  surely connect with you. Check her post on Balance in marriage