How I painted a Hindu Wedding Ceremony in Paris
This is the first time in my painting career that I’ve created a live painting for a Hindu wedding. What a unique experience! I was contacted a few months earlier to paint this wedding, which was to take place in the spring, in a castle an hour outside Paris.
The bride and groom chose the magnificent Chateau d’Argeronne in La Haye-Malherbe.
Since the number of guests exceeded 300, it was not possible to celebrate the Hindu wedding ceremony inside the castle. A huge transparent tent was set up in front of the castle for the occasion. We could therefore fully enjoy the garden and castle while staying warm… (The wedding took place in early April, and it was really cold when I arrived in the morning to start my painting!)
The Beginning of the live Wedding Painting
I arrive at the reception venue at 9:00 a.m. so I can begin drawing the background for the painting… And I was right! Golden columns, flower garlands, sculptures of Hindu gods, rich red curtains with bells; many elements will be part of the background for the Hindu wedding painting.
The Hindu Wedding Ceremony
The guests gradually arrive and take their places in this huge tent to attend the ceremony. The women are dressed in saris of all colors, each more beautiful than the last. I ask the guests about the ceremony, the various rituals… and, above all, to know approximately when the moment I have to paint will arrive (when the groom places the necklace around his wife’s neck, which is the equivalent in Catholic weddings of the exchange of rings). That’s when I learn that the ceremony will last three hours!
The different moments during the ceremony
The groom’s arrival
It all begins with the entrance of the groom, followed by his brother. Musicians and percussionists accompany this arrival. There is an initial ritual before entering the tent. Then he is welcomed on stage by the bride’s mother, who draws a dot on his forehead, believed to bring good luck. Many rituals are performed by the religious leader. The omnipresent music is very loud, and it’s difficult to understand what is being said on stage!
2. The Bride’s Arrival
A large procession of girls and women dressed in beautiful yellow saris precedes the bride. She is carried in a richly decorated wooden structure, wearing a splendid purple and gold sari. She joins her future husband on stage.
Numerous rituals take place on stage; at this point, there are about ten people on stage.
The bride’s second arrival (!)
The bride, who had slipped away, returns, accompanied only by her sister this time. She is wearing a beautiful red and gold sari.
The bridal necklace
More and more people are taking the stage (about thirty). That’s it, THE moment I have to paint is imminent!
The groom dons the Mangalsutra, the Indian bridal necklace, symbolizing marriage. It’s a very joyous moment! The volume is at its peak, the musicians, the percussion, everyone is clapping and shouting, and flower petals are thrown at the bride and groom.
The Sacred Fire Ritual
Once the necklace is placed around the bride’s neck, the newlyweds circle the sacred fire seven times; each circle symbolizes an Indian promise.
The ceremony is over; it’s 2:30 p.m., and the guests are seated at the table!
I eat a bite with the guests and return to the tent to finish my drawing. I’ve started adding colors, and I’ll finish the painting in my studio!
What a wedding and what an incredible experience! I’m continuing to experience this unique moment with the painting, which I’ll continue in my studio. There are so many details; it will take me several days to complete it. And here is the finished watercolor:
Are you also celebrating a wedding soon? Wouldn’t it be great if I create a painting of this unique moment?!
