Indian weddings are popularly called the big fat Indian wedding. One factor that makes it big and fat is the amalgamation of rituals and traditions. The one ritual that is quite popular is the Sangeet ceremony. It is a ritual followed in North India and is also gaining popularity in South Indian marriages as well. The sangeet ceremony stands out with its rhythmic rituals. It is a favorite among younger folks. The ceremony is a festival of music and dance where the young and old, boys and girls dance to the tune of rhythmic and melodious music.
It is a beautiful sight to watch people dressed up in extravagant outfits dance their way into each other’s hearts. Music is a way to express your feelings and you get to experience the magic a day before the wedding in the form of a Sangeet ritual. Sangeet refers to music in the Hindi language. You can refer to a Sangeet ceremony as a musical party or musical night. Mostly conducted in wedding halls, the Sangeet ceremony comprises music, dance, fun, revelry, and good food.
Preparing For A Sangeet Ceremony
A wedding is a sacred ceremony that unites two souls. It is an austere and traditional ceremony that is celebrated with gaiety. The glam quotient of weddings has gone up and the Sangeet ceremony has become a mainstay in all weddings. The musical night is not just a bonding between two families but also a bonding between the two families. It is an opportunity to break all barriers, mingle, and have all fun. Based on the family budget, it can be a lavish festival or toned down. It needs a lot of organizing and planning similar to a wedding. Conducted by the bride’s family, it is a chance for them to relax from their hectic wedding preparations and have fun.
A few years back Sangeet was a ceremony for the ladies which was celebrated with the bride. Now the concept is changed and both the bride and groom’s family celebrate it. Traditionally it was a ceremony with simple songs with harmonium, spoon, dolaks, and singing about banna banni. These are songs that teach brides of all their wifely duties. It is a painstakingly organized event that exudes extravagance. These days people depend on event management and wedding planners to create a thematic Sangeet ceremony. There are themes like disco, casino, and an Indian princess.
Sangeet is like a mini wedding where two families break the ice in a fun and informal way. Organizing a neat Sangeet takes a lot of effort. You will have to see to all the arrangements. It requires booking the venue, menu, decor, wardrobe, music, and others. A grand stage should be set for the bride and groom. An area must be segregated for performance and dining. The entire family needs to groove to the music. A choreographer should be arranged to teach cool steps and get the entire bandwagon ready. The bride and groom’s family firm a set. There will be individual performances and group dances which include the bride and groom. Uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers, and others come together in the most fun way.
Some families prefer having their music true. People join in singing and dancing and take out their skills in the best possible way. Some people seek the assistance of DJs. They can be hired at a fixed price that will be costly. DJs will set the stage on fire. They will create the right ambience for the Sangeet ceremony with filmy and western beats. Guests will dance into the night. Rich Indian families invite Bollywood celebrities for the ceremony. They perform a live dance for the event. You can also invite famous musicians, singers, and dancers to events. It will be a matter of pride for the bride’s family and guests will be happy to get a chance to enjoy the event in the presence of celebrities. Food is an integral part of any festival. With so many people in attendance, you must ensure that there will be a great variety of choices on the menu. There must be both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food with choices of drinks and desserts as far as your budget allows. Event management companies will take up most of the responsibilities and even hire celebrities if your budget allows.
Picking The Right Wedding Hall For Sangeet
Sangeet is a crazy event and the venue has to be Sangeet ready. It should have enough area for people to move about. There must be a place for DJ and food. People are mostly going to move about so the chairs and tables can be confined to the dining area. Things will go crazy and you must keep the bar a bit away from the general crowd. The hall should allow for thematic decor. Based on the expenses planned, the venue must allow for a minimum arrangement for the Sangeet ritual. Loud and funky music will be a part of the function and the venue must have a good acoustics arrangement. Guests will be looking for an enjoyable experience and the venue must accommodate everything needed for a good Sangeet celebration.
Not just the venue, even the people should get ready for the event. For the sangeet, people commonly wear the brightest and colorful attire and jewelry. Sangeet is just the beginning of the big fat Indian wedding and you need to be prepared to have the best day at the event.
A perfect place will add to the experience. A good sound system and DJ will make the event the most enjoyable. Even a minor glitch will mar the event. Care must be taken to select the best music that all guests can enjoy. There are halls with more than 500 seating capacity. Based on the crowd you invite, select the right hall that will fit the crowd. A small hall will get overcrowded especially when people want to dance around. So, select the hall aptly.
