A Wedding Without A ‘Baraat’ During Pandemic

An Indian wedding without a baraat. Not just that, fewer guests and many not-so-happy relatives who could only watch ceremonies online on their phones or laptops.

That happened at a recent wedding in my family. The pandemic has taken the usual fanfare out of the big fat Indian marriage ceremonies.

Some states don’t allow more than 50 people, while others let up to 100 attend—much lower than prior to Covid-19. There are restrictions or social distancing protocols for everything from shopping to catering to contain the virus.

From designers to caterers, everyone is struggling with business nowhere close to the pre-Covid levels. Many have drawn up alterative plans to tide over this period of distress.

Here’s the pandemic’s wedding story: