The Bengali Bride !

Dressing up like a bride is every girl's dream. I remember my wedding day and was nervous and tensed to look perfect. Somehow I wasn't satisfied. I have asked my hubby to get married again  after 10 yrs so that I can have the best  look :) Call me crazy .

Yes dressing up is my favorite  pastime. Shringar sindhoor jewelry bangles .....even the thought makes me happy and freshens my mood :) Born and brought in  Bangalore and my native is Mangalore, I always wanted to try the different bridal looks . During school days I was chosen as an Andhra bride for a fashion show .

So  last week we put a dance show where I was glad and more than happy to play a bengali bride this time .I was concerned  about dancing in the heavy saree and jewelry, yet excited that I am trying something new this time .. Because of my big eyes people often  think that I am a  bengali, but am not. There were days where few aunties started talking in bengali to me . I was young and had no clue about bengali culture. When I  watched the movie Devdas and Parineeta , I somehow dreamt that one day I will dress up like a bengali bride and dance to dola re song. Loved the jewelry and the way they drape the  saree .The big bindi was perrrrrrfecttttttt .I love big bindis :)

I asked few of my friends to be my bridesmaids and they were more than happy to do so .As a choreographer ,I  had to depict a dance drama that showed bengali culture in  3 minutes. The dance style is Nautwary. It included steps of Kathak and Bharatnatyam. Saroj Khan is  the choreographer and her dance steps are amazing in the dola re song .We had a time crunch and we needed to get the whole act ready in a week with 5 of us as a team. We practiced almost everyday of the week .I was excited to show the dance moves and my team picked it well. The whole essence of our dance is  giving the best expression. Dance is my passion and I believe dancing connects you with  your inner self .It lifts ur spirits and gives the best of any person . Dancing as a team helps you to overcome your weakness and strengths you up as a team player  and we worked together to make a great dance show.

 I was more than happy and pleased with my bridesmaids who were always patient and trusted me with everything .I am very proud to introduce them in this blog ..
Neelu Rajavanshi, Simran Kota ,Monisha  Mursheed and Kranthi Chintha.Sanjida Yasmin and Priyanak Kota played a good critic and helped us improve our positioning and synchronization.

We incorporated a lot of props like gifts ,designer trays,etc .We showed different ceremonies like mehendi, dressing up the Bride ,carrying the bride with pan patha and gift ceremony .

The biggest  challenge was to get the mukut(Head Gear) and jewelry which was close to bengali style . Menka Soni introduced me to Piyali De  who was more than happy to help me with the jewelry and the mukut .

On the day of the show ,Piyali came to my house to help me with the bindi and eyebrow design. She reminded me of my Sister who always makes me look good with her skills. I was so happy to wear my wedding saree and dress up again like a bride .

My bridesmaid dressed up in a white saree with maroon border and were looking very beautiful . As a team we gave our best and danced to the dola re song. It was executed well and the audience did like our performance .

I would take this opportunity to requote words of  Martha Graham

"Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are great because of their passion.There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost"

Give a chance to yourself and connect with yourself .Be bold and happy to express yourself either through  dancing/singing/writing/cooking etc...I am glad to share my experience  and thank all my friends who added a beautiful chapter in my life .Looking forward to create more of  such memories :)

I thank my sweetest and  lovable friend Ananya to make me write about my experiences and help me connect  with my innermost self  through writing :)

- By Nalini Keshava !

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