Kotgarh – Welcoming the new bride

Here are pictures of a marriage I nearly missed in my village in Kotgarh. These pictures are of the day when the new bride is introduced to the family clan. I was just in time to catch up with the festivities. Once all the guests leave, it is the turn of the family members to be introduced and to welcome the new member in the family. The highlight of the day is when the bride dances with the ladies in the family. A nice way to get the bride adjust in the new surroundings. Mind you it’s a day full of fun for everyone in Kotgarh.

The Natti is started by the male members. A wake up call for the ladies to join too as the ladies are still busy inside the house. Marriages in Kotgarh are marked with fun and gaiety.

And the Natti picks up tempo. Kids too join the party.

Finally, it is all ladies affair now. That is the bride and the mother-in-law dancing at number 1 & 2. First step of welcoming the new member in the family. This natti goes on for hours.

Ladies all decked in pahari attire. This dress is called resta with a sleeveless jacket called saluka. The lady in the second pic (from left) is a former Indian women cricketer. Kotgarh ladies look smart. Don’t they?

The bajanntris (musicians) play a very important role in the whole marriage. They are bade farewell after this ceremony.First pic from left is of a karnal, in the middle is the toori, a localised shehnai and the entire crew in the last pic.

Pictures of the valley around the village in Kotgarh with Satluj making it’s way, the mountains and the Himalayas just across.

And here is Kaveri, the daughter practicing sliding at home in Kotgarh on her own. The girl has got rid of the initial fear of the slide. Two and a half years old and the girl has started enjoying the life now.

I have also posted pictures on Festivities at Stokes house in Kotgarh and Trip back home to Kotgarh.

sachin

hey nic pic............m 2 miss my home....r these pic some where near shamatla..........?

NITYIN

Welcome Sachin. These pics are of Bahli village

Aparna

Hi Thanks very much for sharing these pictures. I am so happy that i chanced upon this site. My late father was from Bahli and I have fond memories visiting when I was a child. Infact a while ago (20 yrs) I was part of a similar wedding celebration and even today i remember it very vividly. Actually these pictures bough tears to my eyes since I live very very very(far) away from home. Thanks again for sharing. God bless

Deepak K. Thakur

Hi Aparna,

Good to see your note on this great blog. Hope you, your children & husband are well & happy in the far away US of A. I keep meeting your mom & sister each time either in RV or at the railway station.

Love, Deepak.

Hi Nitin,

Really nice pictures & comments. Made me feel quite nostalgic & realize what we non resident Kotgarus miss. Love, Deepak.

NITYIN

Many thanks for visiting and for your comments!

With onset of October (Shauj and Kati in pahari) the marriage season starts again. We have a couple of marriages lined up here. Watch this space for more action :)

Incidentally these pictures are from Bahli only. Small world!!

smriti kanwar

hey dat ws really a wonderful post...
it reminds me of my gud n sweet childhood days in kotgarh..
nw m at chd n barely cud get time 2 go back 2 kotgarh which is ma nanihal (or nanka in pahari).
miss ma village, HP n ma old days a lot.....
thanx again 4 makin me feel like home.

NITYIN

Thanks Smriti for dropping in and liking the post

Rohit Sharma

Wonderful pictures and our rich country dressing, seems nice lovely weather @ the time of this welcome.

To watch kids playing around is a blessing...

Geetali

What a great post! Thank you for allowing a peek into this world, not often open to strangers and outsiders. Love the revelry, the musicians and the woman cricketer. But best of all is your little girl practising sliding :)

NITYIN

Thanks for liking the pics! With the little girl there is no single dull moment. Based on the quantum increase in her naughtiness these days, am planning to send her to a play school here in the village now!!

Surender

Bhaiji, Aapne yaad dila dee meri May ki chuttiyon ki, jab main ek shaai attend karne gaya thaaa. Bas farak itna thaa ki main dulhan ki taraf se thaaa.

NITYIN

Bhai, it is here in the hinterlands that we still find a feel of our roots. I attended a marriage in Shimla of a friend from Baghi and there was the DJ, the dance floor and I was feeling a misfit in the whole gathering. Here in the village, food for dham is cooked by the villagers themselves on both the days. I do the easier work of misa n pla and serving the food :)

Kotgarh – Welcoming the new bride

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