One of my earliest posts introduced the practice of the gaye holud—a purification/beautification pre-wedding ceremony common in Bengali culture. Recently, I had the chance to revisit the practice and thought it might be interesting to discuss here. It took a slightly different form this time: The practice was included as a part of the 30th-wedding anniversary celebrations planned for an aunt and uncle within the family where it was transformed into a ritual for remembering and renewal. Though our "bride and groom" in this instance had been married for many years, on this night, they revisited some tender moments of their youth. This gaye holud provided an interesting look at a traditional practice and underscores its importance in establishing family ties and acceptance.
Prior to the evening of the gaye holud, a dais, or stage area was created where the main festivities would occur. The stage was decorated in red, orange, and yellow, traditional colors for the evening (although apparently green is also appropriate.) Saris were draped in the background to provide a festive wall covering, and plastic flowers—in red and yellow—added a lively touch. In the South Asian community colors are highly symbolic, so the choices of red, yellow, and orange are intentional. Red symbolizes purity, fertility, and sensuality—which is why it is the color of choice for Indian brides. Yellow represents sanctity. And orange symbolizes piety and strength—and balance, as it combines red and yellow. It is customary for the relatives to also wear these colors, and red and orange hued saris dominated the scene. (This explains why my black formal wear has been sometimes met with dismay—I swear, I don't mean any ill will!) Because this was a faux-gaye holud, the traditional offerings were laid out on the dais. In a traditional event, the groom's family (sans the groom) would come to the bride's house bearing gifts of sweets, clothing, and jewelry. The practice is then reversed as the bride's family visits the groom's home. [Image Left: A young celebrant wearing the traditional colors of red and orange with
Prior to the evening of the gaye holud, a dais, or stage area was created where the main festivities would occur. The stage was decorated in red, orange, and yellow, traditional colors for the evening (although apparently green is also appropriate.) Saris were draped in the background to provide a festive wall covering, and plastic flowers—in red and yellow—added a lively touch. In the South Asian community colors are highly symbolic, so the choices of red, yellow, and orange are intentional. Red symbolizes purity, fertility, and sensuality—which is why it is the color of choice for Indian brides. Yellow represents sanctity. And orange symbolizes piety and strength—and balance, as it combines red and yellow. It is customary for the relatives to also wear these colors, and red and orange hued saris dominated the scene. (This explains why my black formal wear has been sometimes met with dismay—I swear, I don't mean any ill will!) Because this was a faux-gaye holud, the traditional offerings were laid out on the dais. In a traditional event, the groom's family (sans the groom) would come to the bride's house bearing gifts of sweets, clothing, and jewelry. The practice is then reversed as the bride's family visits the groom's home. [Image Left: A young celebrant wearing the traditional colors of red and orange with
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