Mehndi and Sangeet in Hindu wedding

Mehndi ceremony usually takes place just before marriage. According to the ritual, the bride does not step out of the house after this ceremony. Mehndi ceremony is essentially organized by the family of the bride and is usually a private affair which takes place in the presence of friends, relatives and family members. However, the scale of the ceremony depends upon individual choice. Some people celebrate it with great pomp and show. Sometimes, the Mehndi ceremony resembles another sangeet ceremony.

Nevertheless, during the ceremony, turmeric paste is applied on bride's face, feet and hands. After this, the Mehndi application begins. For applying Mehndi to the bride, a skilled Mehndi expert is called. He applies Mehndi on bride's hands, arms, feet and legs. Traditionally, the Mehndi applied to the bride was obtained by drying the leaves of the Henna plant. Nowadays there are various types of Mehndi designs available in the market. Some of the popular Mehndi designs include Arabic Mehndi, Rajasthani Mehndi, Crystal Mehndi, Tattoo Mehndi, etc.

In most of the families, the sangeet party is celebrated on an elaborate scale and is a very grand affair. However, in some families, it is also celebrated along with the mehendi function. It is generally done to save time. The sangeet party may be celebrated both as a separate or a joint event in both the families. However people generally prefer to make it a joint affair nowadays to make it more interesting and amusing. As a joint affair before the marriage ceremony, it also becomes a platform developing familiarity of the bride and groom with each others family.

This function of dance and sangeet is organised at groom and bride’s places before the Hindu Indian wedding. The ceremony is attended by relatives and friends, mostly ladies, in the evenings. Background music of ‘Shehnai’, the flute, as was widely practised in olden times, may also be played, which is very auspicious for the Hindu Indian marriage. Bhangra dance by men and Giddha dance by ladies are good attractions for the ceremonies in North India.. There are different types of dances performed in different parts of India before and at the Hindu Indian marriage.
People assembled rejoice by singing and dancing. Some families take the services of professional people who are quite often invited to sing at Sangeet gathering, It is very joyful to be there and usually people present join in to sing and dance together.