Dancing is the lifeblood of any Indian wedding. Though Indian weddings are as diverse as the people and cultures that span India, there is always music and dancing to celebrate the newly formed family ties. In some subcultures there are dances before, after, and during the ceremony! The typical Indian ceremony begins with the groom entering on a white horse, surrounded by a group of performers dancing to an Indian drum. This welcoming party for the groom is the first dance of the night. As the couple seals their vows they will take seven steps, called saptapadi, and after that the real party begins!
The dancing will include a ceremony called “Lady Sangeet,” which is a showcase of the beautiful women singing and dancing in celebration to traditional Indian wedding music. On occasion, the groom and bride will prepare a Bollywood performance together for their guests. What dancing takes place however, depends on where the families both come from!
Regional Dancing Differences
Different regions participate in different dances. North Indian dance is called Bhangra. It requires little training to participate in. Bhangra consists of raising hands and feet up in the air to the beat of the music. Men perform Bhangra, while women perform Gidha. In East India they perform an intense communicative dance called Garba before the ceremony. It is designed to allow both sides of the family to get to know each other better. Often, couples will dance together with Dandia sticks by striking them together in a sub-Garba dance called Raas. In Southern India they stick to traditional folk dances and is designed to help bond the families and casually relieve stress amidst all the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding.
