Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding

Archana, also known as Archie, is excited about her uncle’s wedding. There is plenty to do and prepare, and she also has to watch her baby brother, Krishna. Then Poppy Uncle comes over with a girl, Emma, whom Archie does not know. He tells her that Emma is the niece of his fiancé, Miss Julie, and he asks Archie to make sure Emma has a nice time during the wedding festivities. Archie is hesitant as she is already responsible for her brother and now she has to get to know and help someone new.

Archie perseveres and explains that, at the mehndi party, the bride will get henna designs on her hands and feet, and the guests will get some designs, too. This event will be followed by the sangeet where everyone dances, sings and eats together. As the girls change into their Indian attire, Emma is unsure if she is allowed to wear these items of clothing. However, in her easy going manner, Archie explains that it is an Indian wedding and everyone is supposed to have fun and be happy.

At the mehndi party, Miss Julie and Emma are a little lost. Archie suggests Emma get snacks and drinks for Miss Julie while she waits for her henna to dry. Emma is happy to help and feels relieved to have something to do.

The next day is the wedding. Poppy Uncle looks like a movie star in his fancy sherwani. A sherwani, worn at weddings and special occasions, is a long coat-like garment made out of heavy fabric, often with embroidered designs. Archie finds Emma as it is time for the baraat, the tradition where the groom makes a grand entrance with family, friends, music and dancing. Sometimes, the groom even arrives riding a horse or an elephant. Poppy Uncle arrives dancing with a big crowd, and there is plenty of cheering, clapping, drums and music.

When Archie takes her brother to the bathroom, they find Miss Julie alone in there. She is upset because she thinks ruined her mehndi, but Archie tells her it is supposed to flake off. When they brush off the crumbled henna, Miss Julie feels much better. Miss Julie’s family members carry her in on a wooden platform, and then Poppy Uncle and Miss Julie exchange flower garlands. They sit with the priest under the mandap and repeat mantras, sacred chants, by the fire. A mandap is the sacred pavilion used in Hindu wedding ceremonies and usually has four pillars and a decorated canopy.

When Emma does not understand what the priest is saying, Archie explains that he is speaking Sanskrit, a language she does not know it either, but she knows what he is saying is about love. Poppy Uncle and Miss Julie say their vows and walk around the fire seven times, and then they

are officially married.

Afterward is the wedding reception. Archie and Emma steal Poppy Uncle’s shoes, a fun tradition at weddings, one that requires him to pay the girls to get his shoes back. They eat cake and ladoos, the latter a round sweet dessert made with flour, butter, sugar and spices, such as cardamom, nutmeg and saffron, and they dance all night long.

Though hesitant at first, Archie does a great job in explaining a simplified version of a Hindu wedding ceremony to her new friend Emma. Without overwhelming her readers, Mitali Banerjee Ruths has created a lovely cross-cultural story that introduces readers to the customs surrounding a Hindu wedding.

Parwinder Singh’s digitally created illustrations are detailed and fun and create a lively atmosphere. Each character has a distinct look, and the bride, Miss Julie, looks lovely in her traditional red saree.

For those unfamiliar with Indian culture, the end of the book includes a page labeled “About Indian Weddings” plus a closing glossary of eight Indian terms that readers have encountered in Archie Celebrates an Indian Wedding.