I don’t know that celebrating my 10th birthday made my mom come up with a huge event aka “Half Saree Ceremony”. Maybe because my Ammamma and Tatayyah were here??? Or maybe because of my 11th year running??? I don’t know. But no matter what it was, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it though I showed some tantrums here and there.
Come on, at the end of the day, I’m still a little princess for my family.
It all started when mom went to my pinni’s house and Ammamma bringing up the topic of offering me a Half Saree. This is an age old Hindu tradition, Ammamma offers it to her granddaughter. Though it was short notice, mom and dad decided to do it only because Ammamma and Tatayya were about to go back to India. Initially, the whole process didn’t sync into my skin until I saw myself in the e-invitation card designed by Sri aunty.
Things were moving fast without my knowledge. Mom, Pinni, Anupama, Anuradha, Kalyani, Sushma, Sahaja, Sangeeta, Swetha, and Sri aunties started practicing the dances in Zoom for Mehandi Night. Parallelly, mom, Ammamma, and both the Pinnis’ were very busy shopping for the event. Suneeta pinni coordinated heavily with boutiques in India and made sure all the required traditional clothes and items to be shipped to the US on time for this event.
Both Malli, Rani Attas’ and Srini Babai were very happy, but at the same time felt disappointed because of their inability to join the event due to Covid -19 pandemic travel restrictions. Nanamma and dad also had the same feelings but understood the reason behind it. As this is a time sensitive event, mom and dad made a tough decision to have it before Ammamma goes back to India. If she leaves, we may not be able to go to Ammamma's place to take the offering due to pandemic uncertainty and global travel restrictions. Pandemic and State Of California guidelines restricted the guest list as well.
Days were rolling fast and my first event is getting close. All aunties were busy practicing the dance in Zoom, individual, as well as onsite final dress rehearsals. Meanwhile, mom received the first shipment and I too had my dress and jewelry rehearsal. As this is the girls' event, dad and my brother played a silent role and cooperated, helped mom where and when needed.
A day before the Mehandi night (20th, Dec 2020) the decoration people came and placed the setting. I was thrilled and overwhelmed by seeing the huge gold pillars, pink long drapers, colorful umbrellas, and more importantly, the white royal sofa. I felt I'm a royal princess and didn't allow anyone sitting on it.
No event will end without a tense moment for parents. We haven't received one more shipment from India which has my 'Mehendi Event' dress. Mom visited the parcel service office the day before the event and sat there for more than an hour to collect the package. Fortunately, all aunties owned the event and helped in areas where they could. Sushma aunty took care of placing the 'a la carte menu' from Cakes & Bakes, Kalyani aunty is all over the place and covered errands, Pinni, Ammamma, and Nanamma were busy finalizing the things needed for the Mehandi Night. The rest of the aunties helping where they could and busy practicing the dances to make the event more elegant and successful.
Finally, the day has come(21st, Dec 2020). The henna artist came and started painting on my hands. As it is taking too long, the excitement levels slowly started dropping. At last, I'm done with it and fortunately, at the same time people started coming so as my friends. As it was a 'girls' event, dads and boys went to Anusai aunties house. Here aunts and girls were busy talking, eating, henna painting, and enjoying the fullest.
Eventually, the dance event has started and all aunties along with mom and pinni performed at their best. The most amazing part of this event was Nanamma's dance. She was equally energetic and defeated all other performers including my friends. Ammama tried her best by standing next to the dance performers. I didn't expect more than that from her. My friends Vrinda, Hansini, Lahari, Sanya, Sanvi, and Anjali along with my cousin Sanvitha performed 3 songs whereas Munni made an energetic solo performance. My cutie pie Saathvika enjoyed watching from her bouncer seat.
Mom was overwhelmed with all the high energy performances and most importantly, it was happening to her daughter. I still remember her hands wrapping me over and squeezing me with joy. Dad being a silent participant was missing all fun and busy getting Pizzas for dinner. Fortunately, he was able to view the glimpse of it from Anusai aunt's house only because of facetime made by Kalyani aunty. Thank you Kalyani aunty to for your thoughtful gesture. Though mom and aunts were busy enjoying the food and dance, I slowly started feeling exhausted as my day started way earlier than all these attendees. For me, my Mehindi Night was over and all girls went to the loft and started watching "Highschool Musical".
The next day(22nd, Dec 2020) I got up late and thank god, the day after Mehndi Night was not the actual Half Saree Ceremony. Though the rest of the family was busy doing things in which I don't need to involve, I'm like what I am by doing regular holiday activities. Nanamma made Purnalu, Papad, Jantikalu with the help Ammamma for the next day, and mom is all over the place so as dad
The day was almost getting over and in the late evening, mom, Nanamma, Ammamma, pinni, and aunties like Sushma, Kalyani, Sahaja sat together to assemble the sweet platters which will be kept in front of me at the time of the saree ceremony as part of the tradition. Also helped in placing the items like family size hot pack, fruits, sweets, betel leaves, betel nuts, haldi, and kumkum in the goodie bags. Meanwhile, mom checked the matching bangle sizes we got from India and realized that it doesn't fit me. Sushma aunty brought her bangle collection and fortunately, it fitted perfectly. Needless to say, I was happy for the attention I'm getting and was waiting for the next day to come.
Finally, the day has come (23rd, Dec 2020) and started with the first event of the day "Mangala Snanam". My backyard was transformed and ready for Mangala Snanam. The setting was different than the one in the house. Our patio swing was decorated with flowers. Brass tumblers and mugs were filled with lukewarm water and flower petals. It's easy to find brass tumblers and mugs in India but not in the US. Fortunately, Sri aunty had it and it matched perfectly for the occasion.
When they asked me to come out, it was freezing and around 36 F temperature. Initially, I didn't like to be outside due to the weather condition, and on top of it, Ammamma started applying the chickpeas flour paste on my face and hands as part of the tradition. I felt very uncomfortable and started showing tantrums. Out of their affection towards me, Dad and Nanamma were very concerned about me out there in that cold weather.
But, my Babai with his intelligent brain and a lot of patience arranged an outdoor shower by connecting the hot and cold water lines.
I thoroughly enjoyed the continuous mist of the hot water in that cold weather and didn't feel like going inside. This helped my Ammamma complete all the required traditional checklists.
At last, I came inside and changed the dress. By then, the beautician has come and ready to put makeup on me. First, she started with my hair, and then my face. As a final touchup, mom and Pinni kept the jewelry apt for the dress I wore. At the end of it, I was looking way different in a good way than what I usually look in my day to day casual outfits.
Meanwhile, Dad was busy coordinating the arrangements and food deliveries. Though mom was visibly seen doing all the work, dad, behind the scenes stood her back and arranged everything for his little princes aka ME
Slowly, people started coming and I was waiting for my friends to come. Though I was happily playing with my cousins Sanvita and baby Saathvika, but still, the corner of my eyes was looking for my friends to come, and finally, they came.
All aunts along with mom dressed heavily with all jewelry so as my friends. They also look way different than usual. Boys wore the casual dress, except Suhas and my brother Sushruth. They wore Dhoti and Kurtha.
As usual, all uncles were sitting in the garage where the food was arranged to eat lunch and started talking their language.
Meanwhile, the Muhurtham time had come. Ammamma and Tatayyah made me sit in the prince's chair designated only for me and offered the new clothes. This is the actual purpose of all these events. As part of Hindu Telugu tradition, Ammamma has to offer the very first half saree to their granddaughter soon after completing 10th year and before she turns into the 11th year
Mom, pinni, and a couple of aunts took me upstairs to change my dress and jewelry. Though I usually don't prefer to change the dress multiple times, that day I did not feel pain at all maybe because of the attention I was getting.
When the traditional Mangala Vayedyam was coming from the speakers, they made me sit in the chair again.
Mom, dad, grandparents, Pinni, Babai, all aunts, and uncles placed Aksanthas on my head and blessed me for prosperity, and of course, offered me gifts. Thanks to Nanamma and Sri aunty who made video calls to Sunitha Pinna and Attas' to watch it live for some time.
The entire house was noisy. Aunts and uncles busy talking, My friends were playing all over the place and I hardly saw my brother and the boys here downstairs. Though the boys' presence was very limited, it was sparkling. They performed a small dance bit and it was stunning. Mom and aunties performed the same songs that they did in Mehandi Night, but this time in front of dads.
The most surprising and blasting performance was Dad's dance with uncles. Though I still feel bad that I missed watching it due to my dress change, (Fortunately, this time regular clothes. No more heavy Indian traditional clothes, and jewelry. I'm done and can't take it anymore for now). Thanks to Sri aunty for video capturing the entire performance.
Slowly, guests started leaving with a great experience in their heads and goody bags in their hands. Even I was very tired and went to my room to sleep. On my bed, I was recollecting the fun that I had on that entire day. I wish I was matured enough to thank mom for her hard work to arrange and coordinate all these things and dad for his support in areas where he had to do it. I'm for sure they knew that I'm happy for it even today and thankful to them for giving me a very first memorable moment in my life.
Thank you mom and dad for your unconditional love and everything you do for us.
My Invitation Card - Video Version:
Designed by Sridurga Yarramsetti
Invitation Card PDF Version:
Author's Note:
Dear Reader,
This is Sridurga Yarramsetti. Thank you for reading my blog post regarding Sahana's Half Ceremony. As an attendee, I thoroughly enjoyed all the events and don't want to fade them out in time. The only way to freeze them is by putting my feet in Sahana's shoes and penning them down. I hope Sahana will recollect her experiences whenever she reads this blog about her Half Saree Ceremony.
Sridurga Yarramsetti
Blogger/Content Creator
Update:
After reading this blog, she was very excited and decided to write her version. Please take a moment and click the below link to read how she expressed her feelings.
Terminology Used:
Nanamma - Grand Mother (Dad's Mother)
Ammamma - Grandmother(Mom's Mother)
Tatayyah - Grand Father (Mom's Father)
Pinni - Aunt (Mom's Sister)
Babai - Uncle (Dad'd Brother)
Atta(s) - Aunt (Dad's Sister)
Haldi - Tumeric
Kumkum - Red powder which will be placed below the unibrow at the nose bridge
Mangala Snanam - Shower of blessings. Drain the impurities from a person who is taking it
Muhurtham - The auspicious time of the day for a specific event
Mangala Vayedyam - Traditional musical play
Akshantas - Rice mixed with turmeric placed in the head and it signifies the positive blessings
Purnalu, Papad, Jantikalu - Treditional Indian Snacks and Sweets
Blogger and Content Creator: Sridurga Yarramsetti
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