Theme flavour in capital weddings

Several weddings, and a city agog with band, baaja, baarat.

Ranchi is all set to resemble one big shaadi bari till December 12, with each wedding being set to a theme.

For the last week, city florists have been busy round the clock adorning venues according to themes as myriad as the romance of Radha-Krishna, gardens, Kashmir and Ganesha.

The pocket pinch for flowers alone for going the extra mile from the usual to the theme-based ranges between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000. "We mostly use fresh cut flowers like gerbera, carnation and orchid to set the right note at the venues, and they also remain fresh for long," said Kutchery Chowk-based florist Vinod Malakar, as he frantically puts the blooms together to paint the perfect picture.

To make up the props, paintings follow a close second to the blooms. "We requested for Radha and Krishna theme as they are considered to be epitomes of love and spirituality," said government employee Mohan Singh, whose daughter's marriage is scheduled on December 4.

He added that the Radha-Krishna theme entails putting an elegant statue of the gods as the centrepiece. Also, the venue is decorated with flowers brought in from Delhi, Calcutta and Bangalore. A flower arrangement shaped like a peacock completes the divine theme.

As many as five people have booked this theme for this wedding season.

The Ganesha theme showcases the Lord of beginnings ' also known as the remover of obstacles ' playing musical instruments such as tabla and sitar.

"For this theme we use a combination of cut flowers like red and yellow gerbera, which is combined with ferns, candles and fabrics to provide a colourful yet aesthetic ambience," said florist Raju Malakar, who is into the business for the last 15 years.

He added that there has been a tremendous change in the tastes of residents of the capital in the last few years.

"Earlier people did not know of any other decoration apart form those of marigolds and gladioli. But now their awareness levels have undergone a sea change maybe because of films or weddings that they attend in big cities," he said.

Of all themes, Kashmir is probably is the most popular. "We use santoors, tabla, antiques and fabrics such as zardozi to create the right ambience," Malakar said. Meanwhile, other popular form of decorations include use of bamboos, artificial pillars and fabrics.

Vipul Munjal, owner of Firyalal banquet, which is completely booked till December 12 said that weddings have become lavish with more spending power. "People are leaving no stone unturned to make their wedding a day to remember," he said.