2nd February - PART III

The next program was eagerly anticipated by many, especially the younger crowd and the guests who had come from South India—Chennai and nearby places. It was time for the Sangeet. Just a few years ago, a Sangeet wasn’t typically a part of a traditional Tamil Brahmin wedding. However, modern Tamil weddings have begun to incorporate elements from other cultural traditions across India—such as Mehndi, Sangeet, and more—without letting go of their core customs. This blending of rituals is what makes these weddings feel truly cosmopolitan and inclusive.

The Sangeet is, in essence, a celebration of talent within the family and friends’ circle of the bride and groom. Usually, a family member takes on the role of Master of Ceremonies, introducing a line-up of enthusiastic performances—songs, dances, and sometimes even light-hearted skits. It’s a time when everyone lets their hair down and simply enjoys.

For this particular Sangeet, the entire three-hour program was curated by Sanjiv and Priya’s friends and cousins, with absolutely no involvement from the older generation! The only consultation with the seniors was to check if any of them wanted to sing, dance, or be part of a performance. In other words, for the elders, the Sangeet was a complete surprise—right until the moment it began.

The program kicked off around 6:30 PM, with Sandip taking the stage as the Master of Ceremonies. He warmly welcomed everyone and invited Srini to present the opening prayer. Srini offered a short Carnatic classical composition in praise of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, which drew gentle, appreciative applause from the audience.

Then came Priya’s grand entry. She made a high-energy entrance to a medley of popular Bollywood numbers, instantly raising the energy in the hall. The applause was loud and joyous. And just as the cheers were settling down, Sanjiv made his entrance—equally, if not more, electrifying—dancing to a set of upbeat songs. The audience responded with loud cheering, clapping, and enthusiastic whistles.

When Priya and Sanjiv finally took to the stage together and concluded their entrances with a joint dance, it was clear: the bar had been set. The mood was electric, the energy infectious—and the expectations for the rest of the evening had just been raised.

The next couple of hours were pure entertainment—Tamil and Hindi film songs, English numbers, solo performances, group dances by friends, cousins, parents, and even elders. The variety was simply overwhelming, and the energy was contagious.

To ensure the audience wasn’t just passive spectators, a couple of interactive activities were organized. The first was a dance-based twist on the classic game of Chinese Whispers, followed by a lively balloon activity.

The balloon game, in particular, was one guests were sure to remember for a long time. Colorful balloons were handed out to everyone. Once they were blown up, the game began at a cue—the balloons had to be kept in the air without letting them fall. It didn’t matter who you were—elderly, middle-aged, child, youth, married, single, in western wear or traditional attire—everyone joined in with boundless enthusiasm. By the end of the activity, it was hard to spot a single face in the crowd that wasn’t lit up with a wide smile of glee and satisfaction.

The role of Master of Ceremonies kept rotating. After Sandip’s energetic start, several youngsters took over, passing the baton smoothly like a well-rehearsed relay team. Each brought their own flavor, keeping the tempo and excitement alive.

Eventually, for the last 30 to 40 minutes of the evening, the dance floor was thrown open to anyone who wanted to let loose. With the background music gradually building in tempo, the Sangeet reached a rousing climax, wrapping up around 10 PM.

A short surprise was in store for the audience—especially for Geetha and her better half, Srini. The 2nd of February happened to be their wedding anniversary, and the celebration continued with a cheerful cake-cutting ceremony joined in by all the guests.

As the formal part of the evening wound down, guests began gathering for group photos, eager to capture memories from the joyous event. Soon after, everyone made their way to the dining area. Having worked up a healthy appetite from all the dancing and cheering, dinner was eagerly awaited—and the caterer, A.S. Rajashekar, ensured the buffet surpassed all expectations.

After this elaborate and satisfying meal, guests began to retire for the day. Those heading home wanted to get enough rest to return fresh for the early morning muhurtham. The lucky ones staying at the BAPS hall simply headed to their rooms, set their alarms, and looked forward to waking up at the right hour.

Meanwhile, the bride, groom, and their immediate family had to ensure that every last detail for the next morning was in place. The big day was just a few hours away.

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