wedding music<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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Hindu wedding ceremonies last for five days and consist of a number of rituals, most of which have certain types of music or wedding songs associated with them. These can be traditional pieces of music, folk songs, or contemporary Bollywood hits. Here are some of the elements of a Hindu wedding along with the music played or sung at them.<\/p>\n
The Sangeet ceremony is when all the female members of the bride’s family, along with female family friends, come together. They sing traditional celebratory songs about the bride’s future life with her husband. The songs may also poke fun at the groom’s family a little.<\/p>\n
The Mehndi ceremony is the time when Mehndi, or henna is applied to hands and feet of the bride. It is believed that the bride should do no work in her marital home until her Mehndi fades. This ceremony includes traditional music and songs, usually accompanied by a Dholak.<\/p>\n
The Baraat ceremony is a type of procession that marks the arrival of the groom at the wedding venue. His friends and relatives known as ‘baraati’ accompany him on his way to the venue, and they are usually joined by a band which plays traditional music for them to dance to along the way.<\/p>\n
The Vidaai ceremony is when the bride is separated from her family, and the lyrics of the songs sung during the ceremony reflect this sad time, but the hope of the family for her future. The groom’s family also sings songs to give the bride a warm welcome into their family.<\/p>\n
Bands for Indian Weddings<\/h2>\n
Because Hindu weddings go on for so long it is likely that there will be a number of different types of music and various bands or groups playing. Traditional groups that play Indian classical music tend to include instruments such as a sitar, tabla, tempura, dhol, and tumba. However, modern Indian weddings may include a DJ playing contemporary music as well as the more traditional aspects.<\/p>\n
<\/h2>\nIncluding Bollywood Hits in your Wedding<\/h2>\n
Many Indian weddings now include modern Bollywood movie hits that are relevant to weddings. Here are three popular songs along with their significance:<\/p>\n