Last year when Anushka Guha entered the wedding venue, she made many a jaw drop for in she rode on a white stallion along with her baratis to marry her Prince Charming. This year again, Priya Aggarwal from Ambala sent ripples in the placid waters of patriarchy as she rode all the way to the groom’s house on a horse with a sword in hand. In the latest turn of events, a popular soap opera endorses the new facet of the Indian Bride where the bride drives herself to the wedding venue on a motorcycle and later applies ‘sindoor’ to the bridegroom. Welcome to the world of ‘Iconoclastic Brides of India’!
The gender stereotypes are certainly in for a toss with the newer and confident version of the brides whom I call ‘Bride 2.0’ entering the Indian marriage scenario. These brides know how and what they want. From breaking typecasts in the selection of the bridal attire to the choice of their honeymoon destination, they have a big say in all of it. A few years ago, a popular internet quote read thus, “He stole my heart so I am planning revenge…I am going to take his last name.” Well, it’s no longer funny! The bride now has the last say in taking up the last name.
At a recently attended wedding, it was particularly amusing to see the bride super-excited about all the rituals and on the cocktail night while the groom mingled around with family and friends, the bride was busy shaking a leg with her gang on the dance floor. On the wedding night, while the baraat was being ushered in, the bride hopped from one selfie point to another to get a few good clicks before she changed the ‘status’ on her social media platforms. Unlike other demure brides who are followed by a beeline of bridesmaids carrying her train, this one coolly sashayed onto the stage in all her finery without assistance from a single soul. Later, one of the guests whispered into my ear that the bride was three years elder to the groom. ‘Cheerios!’ I responded, much to the wholesome dismay of the whisperer. Another ‘glass ceiling’ shattered, I suppose!
Taking a cue from the recent power couple Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, who tied the much-anticipated knot in a low-key ceremony, the young brides are going in for unconventional color choices as far as the bridal outfit is concerned. White, ivory and pastels have nudged out the bright and shimmery red, maroon, orange, pink and magenta ensemble. Also, the ‘minimalistic’ look is acceptable in make-up instead of the garish, dolled-up type. The fancy coiffures including buns, plaits, and puffs have been elbowed out by Alia Bhatt-style flowing tresses. If anything, it’s a bold statement…resisting artificiality both in appearance and relationship.
“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by discomforts,” sayeth the English writer Arnold Bennett. There must be some who may find it difficult to accept this changing aspect of the young and confident brides of India. I, however, am enjoying the transition and looking forward to the next version. To be honest, I’ve always enjoyed the song from the 1980s movie Krodhi which was way ahead of its time-
Ladka tumhara kunwara reh jata, ji mano humara ehsaan, ke ladki ne haan kar di…
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