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| I love you not for who you are, but who i am by your side |
Most of the weddings these days are very predictable, boring
and routine in nature. Go to the wedding hall, stand in a queue to wish the
couple, handover the gift, pose for a group photograph, exchange pleasantries
with a few common friends and relatives and proceed meekly to the food table.
If you are lucky – Lord Soma – the top Indian god of liquor joined by Bacchus the
Greek god of grape harvest, wine making and wine may descend on earth and open a
bar. In which case, all the tipplers involuntarily gravitate towards the bar
and partake of some elixir to alleviate the mood.
Our daughter Akhila married Anirban in 2004 and became Blah.
Since then the Blahs have become an integral part of our life. Around the same
time, Anirban’s sister, Priyanka came from Shillong to do her schooling in
Bishop Cottons, Bangalore. She stayed with us for a short while when pursuing
her studies. We have seen Priyanka grow from a playful fourteen year old teen
to a vivacious, bubbly and talented woman. In later years we have looked
forward to her visits and enjoyed her company immensely.
Priyanka navigated the ‘Sea of
life’ with aplomb. Like any sea voyage, there were some stormy nights but more
often, calm seas and fair winds propelled her. Every ship requires a strong
anchor and she found one in Nick - an affable gentleman from Manchester. Nick is
popularly known as ‘The Ambassador of Good Times ‘and also the Reserve
Brand Ambassador for Diageo’. What I simply adore about Nick, is his guts. In
his own words “I remember quitting my sensible job with HSBC bank after
graduating with a BA in History and Politics with Philosophy from the
University of Leeds, to become a bartender, despite the disappointment in my
parent’s eyes and disbelief of my peers. ‘You’re going to work in a pub selling
beer… when are you going to get a REAL job?’ Times have changed for the better
and my parents are now very proud of my success.”
I have been on the other side of
his bar and have delighted in sampling his cocktails. It was indeed an honour
to be served such exotic combos from a ‘Master Mixologist’. HSBC’s loss is definitely
our gain.
True to her nature, Priyanka insisted on getting married in
Shillong, her birthplace. She wanted something unique and special – it may have
been her hidden desire to showcase Meghalaya ‘Abode of Clouds’ in general and
Shillong, popularly known as the ‘Scotland of the East’ to all the people
attending the wedding.
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| Incredible Meghalaya - on the way to Shillong |
So, all the preparations for a ‘Destination Wedding’ (DW) started
in right earnest. Rita, Anirban, Akhila,Indranil and Disha joined hands to organize
the wedding in Shillong. The in-house wedding planners went to great lengths to
ensure a dream wedding and venue – nothing was left to chance. Nick and
Priyanka created a website giving all the details of the wedding. 28 October
2016 was selected as the D Day.
There’s a lot to be said for a DW. Only genuine well wishers
will travel hundreds of miles to attend the wedding, participate earnestly in
all the events and enjoy the bonhomie that is generated.
26 Oct 2016. Meet and Greet. We landed in ‘Lokpriya
Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport’ Guwahati at 1030 h. We were
greeted by our designated taxi driver and whisked off to Shillong. After a
picturesque three hour drive we arrived in Shillong and checked into ‘Hotel
Centre Point’.
‘Blah is Ord’ posters, banners, taxi stickers greeted us
everywhere. The organization was excellent and executed with military
precision.
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| Vivek and Indranil at the Center Point lobby |
Refreshed and rearing to go, we reached the Blahs’ official
residence ‘Shailabaz’. The spacious bungalow was lit up beautifully and full of
cheerful guests. After some hellos and hugs we settled down to some serious ‘Elbow
Bending’ to ward off the cold. The
entire Blah clan was there to participate in the wedding. Nicks parents, sister
and his close friends from England and Australia added cheer to all the
ceremonies. More importantly Priyanka’s young friends brought in the much
needed fun and frolic. Friends of Anirban and Indranil had travelled many miles to
make the function a success. Ayaan, Samara, Agastya and Aarin the bride’s
nephews and niece, running around in gay abandon, completed the scene. The
Prabhakars and Bhavsars joined the merriment in all earnest, as the first event
’Meet and Greet’ started to unfold.
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| Blahs’ official residence ‘Shailabaz’. |
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| Priyanka and Nick with Jai, Lisa, Pappu and June, |
Excellent weather, good friends and a cozy bonfire made a
very heady combo – we talked, drank, ate and bonded with each other for a long
time.
This was an exceptional way to start a wedding.
27 Oct 2016. Mehendi
and Sangeet. ’While the girls got ready to attend the ‘Mehendi Ceremony’,
early in the morning, I went along with my dear buddy KM Nair to play a round
of Golf at the 5/8 Gorkha Training Centre. The course is extremely picturesque
but very challenging with all its ups and downs. Tired but contented, we left
the GTC after a sumptuous breakfast.
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| Picturesque Golf Centre at 5/8 Gorkha Training Centre |
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| At the Mehendi |
‘Shailabaz’ was a
beehive of activity; three Mehendi specialists were busy drawing intricate
patterns on the hands of all the ladies. One could not help noticing the look
of absorption especially on the faces of Ord ladies. All of them were simply thrilled
with the idea of Mehendi on their hands and feet. One male guest even got a
mehendied-tattoo on his arm!
The men kept themselves busy with easy banter, well
supported by beer and pork. If ever you want to put any Khasi, Jaintia or Garo
on line; you simply threaten to turn him into a vegetarian. No meal is complete
without pork. My wife, who is a pure vegetarian by choice, was in for a shock
when she asked the caterer ‘what is there for breakfast’, prompt came the reply,
“for non vegetarians there is pork momos and for vegetarians there is chicken
momos’.
In the evening we all gathered at the ‘City Hut’ restaurant
for the ‘Sangeet’. In addition to the inner circle, lots of local guests from
Shillong joined the merriment. Mr Ankush had been specially flown in from
Mumbai to manage the bar. It was amply evident that he made a lot of people
happy and cheerful. The bridegroom surprised all of us with a song and dance
and many others joined in with foot tapping Bollywood numbers.
28 Oct 2016. Wedding.
Everyone took it easy the next morning. Had Mr Jeeves been present at
‘Centre Point’, he would have been in great demand to prepare his iconic ‘pick
me up’ restorative. The success of the ‘Sangeet’ was very evident. By now, all
the guests were on first name basis with loud greetings, bear hugs and good
humored friendliness. The breakfast hall and the reception had become an annex
of the Blah House.
All of us checked out of ‘Centre Point’ and moved the action
into the ‘RiKynjai” resort. Located 20 Kms from Shillong the resort overlooks the
picturesque ‘Umiam Lake’. RiKynjai translates from Khasi as ‘Serenity by the
Lake’. The architecture is inspired and derived from the original Khasi thatched
huts. The décor showcases many charming khasi pots and weaves. The rooms are
extremely well appointed and spacious. Each suite is built at three different
levels – the bathroom, living and study and finally the balcony, which faces east
and overlooks the entire expanse of the lake.
The view of the lake and the surrounding hills is simply breathtaking.
The early morning view is something to be cherished as the sun rises and
illuminates the entire area.
Ri Kynjai symbolizes the innate essence of ‘Meghalaya’.
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| View from the room |
The Blahs could not have chosen anything better than this
location to solemnize the union of Priyanka and Nick.
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| Steve and Nick with friends |
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| The pillars of Blah family |
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| Finally a photo op for me with Jai |
After some high tea, all the guests retired to their own
rooms to rest and refresh. The wedding reception in the resort’s main hall
started with the newly married couple cutting the wedding cake followed by
speeches from many near and dear ones. The party gained momentum and at one
point of time the dance floor was jam packed with all the guests gyrating to popular
melodies.
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| Cutting the wedding cake |
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| The dance after |
29 Oct 2016. Picnic
to Mawphlang. Continuing with the revelry the next day, the Blahs had
organized a picnic to Mawphlang, a village in the East Khasi Hills district, 50 kilometers
from the hotel. The word ‘Maw’ means "stone", maw
phlang means "grassy stone”. Mawphlang is home to the ‘sacred grove’.
Stepping into the forest reveals an astonishing network of plants and trees,
all connected, some of them, which are believed to be more than 1,000 years old.
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| Mawphlang, village |
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| In the grove |
A visit to
the sacred grove is not complete without learning about its history.
The Blahs,
formerly known as Langblah, migrated from Jaintia Hills
in search of new land which promised better food and security. Finally the clan
settled down in Mawphlang. The Blah Clan took a chieftain and everything was
under their control. Over time Mawphlang village became famous and many other
clans settled under the Chieftain of the Blah clan. At the end of Mawphlang
Syiemiong War, the Blahs handed over the control of the village to the Lyngdoh.
Folk lore notes that the sacred grove is protected by the
village patron God ‘U Ryngkew U Basa’. No
one is allowed to take out anything from the sacred grove; any transgression
invites the terrible wrath of the forest deity.
Our day ended with a walk in the sacred grove followed by
chow mien, pork curry and rice.
Incidentally do not forget to buy some Shillong noodles from
the local market to carry home. Lakadong Turmeric grown in Jaintia Hills is said to be one of the best in
India. I have been using this for the last ten years and I certainly vouch for
its quality. Lakadong Turmeric is a much sought after variety as it has high curcumin
content. It is a location specific variety grown in Meghalaya only.
30 Oct 2016. Drive to
Cherrapunjee. We started early in the morning to visit Cherrapunjee
and other tourist attractions in the area. The sun was bright and the skies
clear with no chance of any rain in the world’s wettest region. Our first halt
was at a way side restaurant where many went in to enjoy hot rice and pork
curry.
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| Having a ball in front of the restaurant |
We then visited ‘Arwah Cave’ in Sohra close to Cherrapunjee. Opened
from October last year and spread over more than 3 km, the Arwah Cave in Sohra
has impressive rock formations and fossils of marine life embedded in the
rocks. The interior of the cave is well lit in many places and it is really a
magnificent place to visit. A steep climb takes us to the cave, overlooking a
lush valley. The whole journey in the cave was very interesting – at times
narrow, slippery and winding. One has to exercise extreme caution to avoid bumping
one’s head against the protruding rocks. The trip was fun.
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| Akki making he way |
Thereafter we visited Nohkalikai Falls which always plays
hide and seek with the clouds. If one is lucky you can see the waterfall emerge
from a veil of thick cloud and plunging 1,099 ft. The sight is breathtaking.
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| Nohkalikai Falls s plays hide and seek with the clouds. |
For lunch, we went to Kutmadan resort. “Kut madan” means
“The End of the Land” in Khasi language. This is where the land just decides to
tumble down a steep cliff and meet the plains below.
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| Panaromic view from Kutmadan |
As the hills meet the plains, simultaneously India meets Bangladesh, and Kutmadan just happens to be
the best seat in the house to witness this confluence of two nations. The ring
side view was worth driving for such a long distance.
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| Ringside view |
The food was even better.
The spread included many varieties of pork, country chicken, bamboo shoot
delicacies and exotic pickles. Rita and Priyanka had spared no effort to create
the best ambiance for the trip.
In the evening ‘Shailabaz’ was once again alive with Diwali
celebrations. Children had fun lighting up flower pots, sparklers, bhoomi
chakras and other crackers.
As the night progressed and the clouds descended, the guest
decided to call it a day. Many were leaving Shillong very early in the morning.
The ‘Destination Wedding’ came to a close after five days of
hectic partying, meeting old friends, forging new friendships and enjoying
every bit of Priyanka and Nick’s wedding.
I wish to thank the Blah Clan for giving us this wonderful
opportunity to enjoy a typical ‘Destination Wedding’. The Blahs have taken this
concept many notches up.
We finally wish Priyanka and Nick a very happy and long
married life.
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While you are at it, please read some more blogs on
marriages in India
