A good friend of mine went to the Gupta wedding. She agonised for weeks over what to wear – there were so many functions and each one needed a different outfit. Should she go eastern – a salwar kameez for the Sagaai, when the bride to be arrives at the groom-to-be’s place with a matli, a gift that is meant to represent good luck?Of course the bride’s arrival took place at Sun City, that fake lost city in a fake kingdom resort – which is somehow apt, don’t you think? There was much hmmmming over whether a lehenga choli was appropriate for the Garba, the night-before-wedding party that usually means a lot of dancing. A green saree for the Mehendi, in which inticate patterns are drawn on the bride, and her girls, hands in henna. A heavily beaded one for the main wedding. The Pithi, the Madap Mahurat, Griha Shati, Baraat, Ponkvu... all needed outfits. Then of course you can’t wear western jewellery with your Indian garb. Costume jewellery had to be bought; more had to be borrowed. Quick...

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