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Out in the desert range of Marwar: Itīs a special night for the principality of Tikana - twelve villages, 15000 residents.
The wedding of countess Lady Bhawna Singh. Light carriers in the end of dusk had ignited thier petrol lights. Now they are waiting at the edge
of the village for the groom and his entourage to come.
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©
Marcus Kaufhold for Gala-Magazin
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Lady Bhawna Singh will follow her groom to the distant town of Bombay. The 24 year old will see her parents only rarely in the future.
It is a huge jump out of the remote Rajasthan to the close confinement of an appartment.
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Helping hands are embellishing the bride. More and more wedding guests are arriving at the illuminated scene.
In a subcontinent full of contrast - the fairytale of "1000 and one night" gets real again. More than 500 miles out of New Dehli
in "Marwar": "The Land of the Death". Homeland without the irritations of the big Indian cities. Just a few out here are familiar with the western
style music of "MTV" - or the amazing Hindi-Soaps on "CTV". | |
A Hindu-priest, a Brahmin, is reading the sacred verse. The day of the wedding was determined by ancient rites months ago.
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Groom, Mayurdhwaj Singh, has reached the estate. As the ceremony begins, the flames of the holy fire glows, reflecting in his face. His eyes are revealing some
lack of self-confidence. |
Hundreds of guests and spectators have gathered in the yard. An Indian wedding is expensive. An extravagant wedding a matter of prestige.
There are families in modern India who take huge loans out for decades just to finance the celebration.
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Costly food matters, and the money for the musicians and actors. Also cameldrivers, lightcarriers, and cardrivers expect thier salary.
A wedding will stay in the minds of the brides parents: It is traditional to provide thier daughter with a good fortune as a marriage dowery. |
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An elderly guest, a Hindu became reflective: "This is a major difference between western society and Indian. The Indians ruin themselves
often by marriage, the Western do so by divorce." |
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