Lifestyle
The Bengali Bride Look Decoded For 2023
A Bengali marriage is like a mix of old traditions, exciting functions, and super fancy clothes. Each custom has a big meaning, like showing love and beginning a big journey together. There are fun rituals like “Aiburo Bhaat,” and touching rituals like “Saptapadi,” and even playful rituals like “Bou Bhat,” and sometimes, things that make us feel divinely connected like the ritual of “Sindoor Daan.” All these rituals mark the start of a beautiful life together for the bride and groom.
The Bengali Bride Look Decoded For 2023
The Bengali wedding look is a classic and traditional bridal look that is handed down intact from the zamindari past of the state. There are several elements and characteristics of this look that Bengali brides still hold dear until today.
What are they and how do they change for 2023?
Red Benarasi Sari
The first thing you will notice about the quintessential Bengali bou is the red Banarasi sari. The Benarasi red will not be exchanged for the ghagra choli or any other type of sari, ever! It is unthinkable to the traditional Bengali bride. This red sari is a sign of prosperity, good fortune and balance in married life.
Sonar Mukut
This is a golden crown worn by the Bengali bride, although currently it is replaced by an imitation as people cannot afford it in pure gold. This adds a registry touch and gives the bride the look of a queen! In 2023 we can expect this to make a return as things from the past usually come back in fashion. So use the sonar mukut with elan.
Chandan And Vermillion Designs
Each Bengali bride’s face is decorated with these typical designs made from Chandan and kumkum which is vermillion. From paisley designs to simple dots, the patterns are made on the forehead, the cheeks, and the chin. In the past brides would weep during the marriage so the designs would wash off, therefore, they are now put only on the forehead.
Topor
This is a pure white crown worn by Bengali brides that mean new beginnings and auspicious moments. Both the groom and the bride wear this hat, and it is a classic symbol of the Bengali wedding ceremony. In 2023 we don’t see brides opting outside of this traditional getup as it is the mark of the wedding.
Accessories
Every Bengali bridal look is incomplete without the range of jewellery. Brides will wear kaan pasha, jhumko, nolok, ratachuri, tikli, matha patti, kaan baala and other traditional ornaments handed down from their mothers and grandmothers. Nowadays, the modern bride will scavenge all of these traditional jewels for some of them as they don’t like the show of opulence in these trying times. Or otherwise they will wear imitations.
Hair Bun
The Bengali bou rarely experiments with the hairstyle like the sonar mukut and the topor demand that she wears a sensitive bun tied at the back of her head. To the bun is attached to a bun pin which is a relic from Bengal’s zamindari past.
Shaka Paula And Loha
The last item in decoding the Bengali wedding look is the Shanka Paula and the Loha. These red-white-and iron bangles are symbols of a married woman and are worn for one year after the marriage. If they break it is considered bad fortune so women keep them very carefully. In 2023 this is not likely to change at all like it is a matter of pride!
Conclusion:-
The modern Bengali bride will still adhere to her roots as it is a sign of respect to her ancestors and community. However, there can be plenty of sartorial twists and experiments in the other ceremonies such as the haldi, bidai, and bou bhaat.