The ceremony took place at the prestigious Bangalore Club, offering a serene escape in the bustling city. The bride-to-be, Sreya Muthukumar, exuded joy as she mingled with her guests on the terrace. Two skilled artists delicately applied henna paste on Ms. Muthukumar’s limbs, creating intricate patterns and designs freehand for seven hours. The result was striking dark green lines from her fingertips to elbows, a traditional adornment for Indian weddings.
Guests were also treated to henna designs on their palms, a customary practice at Indian weddings. Once the paste dried, it was removed to reveal the vibrant orange stain that symbolizes the celebration. The lead artist, Sunitha Parihar, shared that the most rewarding moment is when the bride sees the final designs and expresses her love for them, highlighting the significance of mehndi artists in enhancing the bride’s beauty on her special day.
Indian weddings are known for their grandeur, with elaborate celebrations being the norm for those who can afford it. This has given rise to a thriving industry of henna artists, adding a touch of artistry to the festivities. However, these opulent weddings also underscore the stark wealth inequality in India, where a growing number of billionaires coexist with a vast majority earning less than $3,900 a year.
While Ms. Muthukumar’s wedding was elegant, the spotlight was on the extravagant union of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant, whose month-long wedding celebrations epitomize India’s modern Gilded Age, drawing global attention to the country’s evolving social landscape.
