Jade & Gautham’s Nalangu Ceremony.
Blessings.
The blessing of being a wedding photographer is being able to share and experience unique cultural moments with my couples. In this case it was a Nalangu ceremony for Jade & Gautham.
To quote google: “A Nalangu ceremony is a South Indian/Sri-Lankan pre-wedding ritual where the family and friends apply turmeric, sandalwood, and pastes too the bride and groom to bless, purify, and bring the couple closer before their wedding, fostering fun and warding off evil spirits.”
The Couple.
Jade & Gautham met while studying for their PhD in their respective fields.
They’ve got an unique charm about them that warms the heart of anyone who is blessed to know them - They are simply ‘them’.
They are a “no frills” type of couple who are by no means ostentatious. They are very practical and pragmatic - if it works, it works.
The Approach.
Every couple is different, every event unique.
I believe my strength as a documenter is my ability to be adaptable to the circumstances I am in.
Understanding the nature of my couple, I knew I had to be less hands-on, and let the moments transpire organically for this Nalangu ceremony - capturing the moments as they played out and not directing the couple to do anything that they felt would be out of their comfort zone.
Jade.
Gautham.
The Shoot.
The day started off with me getting lost trying to find the venue, once I was spotted by Gautham’s dad I set myself and got to shooting.
The family had prepared a nice little backdrop, along with the offerings/blessings in front.
Once the ceremony started, each member of both the bride and groom’s family came up and applied turmeric to their arms and face. It was funny to see “the boys” who would go overboard with the turmeric, but that’s all part of the fun!
Following the turmeric ceremony, the bride and groom change into clean clothes and they exchange flower garlands with one another. The first exchange happened so quick I was stressed - I didn’t think I got the shot. But then I hear Gautham’s dad say, “it needs to be done three times”. I breathed a sigh of relief as this meant I could get the shots.
With the garlands exchanged, the couple watched a slideshow of their relationship prepared by their friends and family. It was beautiful to see the couple relishing and reflecting on their relationship.
Following the activities, it was time for food! I was invited by the family to eat with them, and I enjoyed a nice plate (or a couple) of South Indian food: chicken korma, paratha, paneer curry and biriyani.
The Nalangu Works!
“To bring the couple closer before their wedding.”
An observation from me: I guess you could say that these traditions are traditions for a reason.
Starting off the shoot (as the case with all shoots) they always start off a little tense as everyone settles into the day - you’ve got a one-in-a-lifetime event on and a camera in your face, not the usual day for most people.
However, as the shoot went on the couple did in fact grow closer. Once the couple were blessed with turmeric, and exchanged flowers, they enjoyed a video of their relationship in the form of a slideshow made by their family members.
It was during this video where I captured my lightning in a bottle - their hands drifted closer together, until they were firmly grasped, hand-in-hand with one another.
To many, this may not seem like much. But I knew for Jade & Gautham this meant a lot.
I guess you could say the Nalangu works… the couple did in fact grow closer.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day - enjoy your heirlooms!
- Anthony
