Mehndi Party and Songs

We are currently in Lahore, Pakistan and in full swing wedding mode! Last night was his Mehndi Party. We made sure to follow as many traditions as possible. The bride entered on a carriage made of marigolds in a relatively conservative way with the ‘gunghat’ (veil) over her face with her make-up done in a very natural look. We showered the girls family with rose petals and were showered by the girls sides petals when we entered. We dressed in colorful mehndi tones We did ‘gana bhandai’ when the bride and grooms maternal uncle ties a garland on their wrists. We danced, sang, fed them sweets and played dholki; this was the inauguration of my brand new dholki! Given the limited time venues in Punjab give people, we did the most we could, didn’t get to sit down to actually enjoy dinner, so then made a McDonald’s run in the middle of the night!

While we’re thoroughly enjoying Aadil’s wedding, I cannot help but think back to my and Kashif’s magical wedding. Then too, we followed all traditions; natural look, ‘ghunghat’ covering my face, floral jewelry, freshly dried mehndi on hands, dancing, colorful clothes, ‘gana bhandai’ and singing traditional dholki songs. While living in the US, many of us aren’t too familiar with the songs or the words to the songs. Before my mehndi I compiled and printed a 18 page list of dholki songs and handed copies out to guests at my mehndi.

We didn’t travel to Pakistan before my wedding, didn’t get to shop for mehndi essentials. Therefore, I made my own mehndi plates by using chargers from Christmas clearance, decorated with silk petals, gems, ribbons and candles. I painted a small tray yellow for the mehndi itself and painted a tongue depressor for application!

Today, in honor of my brothers wedding, I present to you that list of songs with some highlights from my own mehndi. Scroll below for the link!