The Sangeet
Indian wedding is not less than festival in true sense. There are ample amount of rituals happening before the actual wedding takes place. Sangeet being one of them rings the bell for the wedding story. The word sangeet comes from Sanskrit which means ‘sing together’, largely celebrated by the Punjabi community of India. This ritual acts as the inauguration of the whole wedding process. This used to be a female only ceremony but in modern days males also accompany the females. The main purpose of this festival is to relish the joy and happiness for a new beginning of the sole mates
Significance of the Sangeet
Sangeet ceremony is used to be of ten days and finishes on the wedding day itself, but now days it only happens for a single day. It usually takes place two or three days in advance before the mehndi occasion. Sangeet generally happens in bride’s home or sometimes a new banquet hall is booked where the groom’s family members are welcomed by the bride’s family members usually by the elderly members by singing traditional folk songs accompanied with dhol. Sangeet, as the name suggests includes different songs and dance numbers performed by the Bride’s family members along with the would-be bride. A separate open dance floor is also arranged to perform this event. This Ceremony has now crossed their regional specific boundaries and UP, Bihari, Marwari and even south Indian communities also celebrating the same, although in some cases Sangeet ceremony timing has also modernized. Now days in some parts of India sangeet is clubbed with mehndi and celebrated with DJ and music as well.
Sounds exciting! A wedding around the corner? Or you are invited to a gala sangeet with cocktail party and you only just know what is Sangeet and what happens in this party but not sure how to be prepared for it? Don’t worry we will now go to that part as well.
Preparing for Sangeet
- Creating playlist: – Integral part of the function is DJ and music and the songs you need to choose should be a peppy number, it can be bhangra or a dance chartbuster or which all are trending. Or else arrange a DJ so that party will always be on.
- Choose songs Which are easy to choreograph: – This party is meant for the elders as well. Being a young chap, you can groove in a any songs, but you must keep it in mind the elders as well. So, choice your songs where moves are relatively easy to perform, so that every age group can take a part in this. After all it is family which brings the happiness and the joy to everything.
- Start rehearsals: – You need to start your rehearsals as long you are finalized with the songs and playlist, obviously you don’t want to put yourself in a troubled situation by forgetting the steps. So, pull up your socks and it’s time for rehearsals.
- Arrange the venue and caterer: – No Indian function is arranged without the foods and only the good food and enjoyment remains in the heart after the sunset. So, book for the best caterer available in town. And regarding the venue make sure the area should be specious as you need to accommodate relatives and friends and you need a dance floor for the music and DJ.
- Dress as per sangeet: – Now the most important part ‘what should you wear’. Remember you will be attending and Indian ritual, so your cloth should be of desi touch. For the gentlemen best suited would be kurta pajama, or kurta accompanied with tadeonal dhoti, A modi coat also would enhance the fashion statement. For the ladies a designer saree or lehenga would be best suited or even a salwar suit would be a great choice.
- Time management and group Dance: – Here time management is the key. People sometimes wrongly dragged the occasion too long which is inappropriate for the elderly person as the fatigue comes in picture. Make it short better to be for two to two and half hours plan for a sequence where the function does not become boring and always make sure to insert a umber of couple dance in between and end the program with a gala group dance so that everyone can be accommodated and everyone feels happy.
So, we have talked about the basics of a Sangeet ceremony, but do you want to add some colorful ideas as well? Yes, you guessed it right, I am talking about some trendy things which are in trend. Let’s focus on some trendy ideas in the next chapter of the article.
- A flash mob: – Flash mob is trending high now days. It is a very good idea as you can accommodate many people in this event
- Fashion show: – You can organize a fashion show starting from the little ones and the most elders will be your show stopper. This way you all get numerous numbers of photo for yourself and create a beautiful album as memory
- Matching Dresses: – You can create a dance idea where all the groom’s relatives dress in white and black where as the bride’s relative dress in White and red. And create an idea of battle of two parties, which can be hugely interesting as well
- Dance dumb Charades: – You can introduce a game show as well to keep everyone engaged and Dumb Charades will be the best bet here. Remember ‘Hum apke hain kaun’? you must create a similar scenario using Dumb Charades.
- Candid photoshoots: – In today’s world photoshoots are integral part of any functions. Talk to the photographer to arrange for some beautiful candied shoots for each of the participants to create a beautiful memory for them
- Award the Winners: – Plan to award the winners, it will engage everyone throughout and tell me who does not want to get award for their hard work. Be it a simple chocolate also but make sure you arrange something
- Arrange Shots: – lastly don’t forget to arrange some cocktails. It will obviously enhance the mood of anyone. And keep the dancers engaged in the dance floor as well.
So hopefully this article will throw some light on the Sangeet festival as part of Indian prewedding.
