No ordinary sangeet, this!

We don’t need to explain how important weddings are in India. The number of advertisements featuring a shy bride staring into a mirror —before the camera cuts to scenes of the smiling family and nervous groom — is a blunt reminder. One of the most significant milestones in a person’s life, there’s no limit to how much planning and money goes into it, and Indian weddings are known for their lavish settings. That being said, they are also game changers in a way; a platform for the latest trends to be showcased and for event planners to execute something never seen before.

A recent sangeet ceremony in Chennai became an example of this after guests were surprised with a fashion show featuring models from the city. It could be the first time that a local wedding featured a rampwalk — something seen only at fashion events launching a new label and so on. And it certainly doesn’t come cheap, says Karun Raman, who choreographed the show at the ceremony. Being a sangeet, the show’s theme was a prelude to the actual wedding, which is to happen in Jaipur. Conducted in three sequences mehendi, sangeet/cocktail party, and lagan, the show featured bridal collections by Kay Fashions and jewellery by Damini Artisans, Karun reveals. “The idea for the show started with a close friend of mine, who also knows the family, suggesting that we up the sangeet celebration. No one has seen a fashion show at a sangeet and the guests were surprised, especially when they saw a few family members also walk in some designs,” he says.

It was also a great platform to showcase new trends in bridal wear and jewellery design, he adds. Kishan Bherwani, one of the partners who runs Kay Fashions, agrees with Karun. “It’s the first time I was taking part in a fashion show integrated with a wedding,” he says, “It’s a very innovative concept and we launched our winter bridal collection at the venue. Since we specialise in bridal wear, curating the collection came naturally to us.”

However, keeping the attention of the crowd was a challenge.

“It’s different because at most of my other shows, the audience knows what they’re coming for. Here, there were different people and the key was having an emcee who was also a singer, so she kept drawing them back to the show,” Karun explains.

Will we see more weddings with such a concept? While Kishan is open to it, Karun explains that the trend could be short-lived. “I feel that it will keep for a while before dying away. Not many people want to copy something that happened at another wedding,” he concludes.