One of the movies I most love to watch is Monsoon Wedding, directed by Mira Nair. The film follows the final preparations for a wedding that has been arranged between a girl of good family and a successful young Indian man who has come home from America to meet his bride. However, as in all good plots, there are many obstacles that threaten their future happiness.
Coming from a very different culture, the story is as fascinating to me for the time-honored engagement and marriage traditions as it is for the very modern family drama. Each time that I watch it, I am captivated by the explosions of song, dance and whirling color that make an Indian wedding such a joyous occasion.
Of course, a film director will always have her audience in mind and Indian cinema has a rich tradition of its own where on-screen action blends truth with fantasy. So, to learn more about the reality of an Indian wedding, I found an article by divacratus, who describes herself as 'a high spirited woman from India'.
In The Big Fat Indian Wedding, divacratus give us an insight into a world of arranged marriages. Starting with the making of the match, often using the services of marriage bureaus, matrimonial websites, or the traditional marriage brokers, she takes us on a fascinating journey through courtship and pre-wedding excitement, to the day itself. Don't miss the enchanting real-life Indian wedding video that would rival a professional music video or movie montage.
Sadly, this fairytale wedding of a wealthy and very happy young couple is as far from reality for some as the Bollywood movie scenes it aims to reflect. Divacratus ends with a stark revelation of the horrors that await the bride who has been given in marriage by a poorer family along with the promise of a dowry that they cannot afford or fail to pay. A reminder that societies from all parts of the world have their problems, and for many it is the cruel grip of poverty that will end all hope of a happy-ever-after.
Visit: The Big Fat Indian Wedding
Image Credit: India bride by butterflieskiss
I'm delighted to be the 'Monday' author here on Squidoo Lens Reviews. My aim is to spotlight high-quality Squidoo lenses that have not yet had the attention I think they deserve. I hope you too will find new treasures among my choices!
A little about me: I reached Giant Squid status at the end of December 2009 and am currently serving as an Angel on Squidoo.
Divacratus, indeed, wrote an excellent account of Indian wedding traditions. In shock about dowry wrath.
Since I have a friend who was an Indian bride, I was definitely interested in reading this lens. It is quite sad now to think I may understand certain things a little better after reading this lens, Things she would never tell me herself.
Beautiful review! Thank you for introducing me to this lensmaster
Cynthia V ( Sylvestermouse)´s last blog ..Squid Angel Mouse Tracks
Hi!
This is such a pleasant surprise!!! Thank you so much for featuring my lens here! I am honoured!
You guys are doing a wonderful job in reviewing lenses. Keep it going!!
Regard and love..