An Ode to Weddings by Anita Dongre

Once upon a time,

Weddings were a close-knit affair.

Where the air was engulfed with the sounds of spoons thrumming against tablas

Rhythmically paired with melodies sung by familiar voices.

Where family recipes determined the menu and family elders determined the arrangements,

And we located venues from memories not maps.

Where the stylists were our cousins and masis, and sometimes our choreographers too.

Where joy was measured not by how many showed up but by how many stayed back

Singing and dancing well into the night…

Once upon a time weddings were just as close as family dinners,

Let’s revisit that familiarity once again.

With lockdown and other restrictions, weddings are all set to be an extremely intimate affair and Anita Dongre’s new collection ‘Love Song’ is set to capitalise on this theme.

Weddings in the past used to be sustainable and a cosy, familial event. Over time, the grander they got the more commercial and for show. Looking at bringing the nostalgic feeling back, Anita Dongre has chosen this for the theme and she couldn’t be more perfect with the timing!

Commenting on her collection she says, “Love Song is an ode to my childhood days when weddings were small, close-knit family affairs. The preparations that began weeks earlier, cosying up in circles, the accompanying tunes and melodies, and the never-ending chatter of loved ones laughing and bonding. Something fresh yet familiar, new yet nostalgic.”

The collection started coming into pieces when Anita Dongre took a trip down the memory lane. She witnessed everything again- the celebration of yesteryears, the warmth in the family bonds, the fun of getting married for a bride! She bought back the traditional wedding colours- rosy reds, yellows and creams set against the lush greenery of backyard weddings.

This theme is also evident in their campaign launch on Instagram-

The decor was bought to life with Devika Narain using locally-sourced and eco-friendly materials. Of course, where there’s a wedding, there’s DIn Shagna Da By Jasleen Royal. Jasleen Royal lends her soulful voice to create a rendition for this collection. The whole film makes you feel a whirlwind of emotions namely, love, joy and nostalgia. Everything, from the atmosphere, setting and the pieces from the collection, lends themselves to effortlessly kick off the wedding season of the year.