Tridi and Tulika Get Married

It took me 29 years to figure out what kind of dancing I'm good at. Thanks to Tridi and Tulika getting married, I now know it's Indian.

I've known Tridi since 1998, when we were freshman in college. I was excited for his wedding and had no idea what was in store. I don't think Adrienne, Keith, Rachel, Roman, Violet, Miguel, Matt or Phil did either.

Indian weddings are exciting. There's a lot going on. First the groom's guests marched in behind him to the beat of a drum and the drone of a conch shell. There was some dancing and the women kept shouting "yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi yi." Eventually we got to the staging area for the wedding and waited for the bride.

Tulika was carried in with a big leaf over her face. I believe her brothers (or male cousins) carried her around Tridi seven times, then she unveiled herself, and the ceremony carried on. There was a literal tying of the knot, sacrificing of butter, toe rings, foot touching, and finally Tridi and Tulika were husband and wife.

There was a part where a sheet was pulled over Tridi's head and I suddenly realised why he used to play Half-Life in our dorm room that way. He was preparing for this day way back then. I'm glad that was the only Half-Life reference at the wedding.

The reception started a few hours after the ceremony and featured the typical stuff you see at a reception...the first dance, words said by friends and family, dances with parents, dinner, cake cutting, and finally dancing. It was a blast and I'm pretty sure all 450 guests had fun.

My pictures are here.