The five-star Taj Bengal hotel in Calcutta hosted the wedding reception for Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri and Time journalist Alberto Vourvoulias-Bush on Wednesday evening.
The Crystal Room, West and Central, adorned with flowers for the festive occasion saw an attendance of over a hundred people, most of who were members of the family and close friends.
Most of the women from the groom's side were dressed in saris and salwar kameezes while the men favoured Western suits over traditional Indian wear.
Jhumpa, radiant in a rich silk purple sari with a gold embroidered border and pallu, a purple shawl elegantly flung over her right shoulder, looked visibly relaxed and radiant.
She was every bit the newly wedded bride with her hair piled up on her head in a bun and held with gold pins, and bedecked in a three string pearl necklace and a gold one with hanging gold ear-rings. Her hair parting, sprinkled with a liberal dash of sindoor (vermillion), proclaimed her
recently wedded status.
Alberto, impeccably dressed in a dark suit, rarely left his wife's side through the evening. The couple, basking in the attention of family and friends, were spotted laughing and having their pictures taken by the cameramen appointed for the occasion. Encouraged by all, they even broke into a dance to the song Kudi Gujarat ki.
The dinner, served at around 2130, featured kosha mangsho (a Bengali meat preparation), fish tikka, and tandoori chicken among the non-vegetarian fare. Peas pulao (rice with peas), moong dal, alur dom (a spicy potato preparation), naan kulcha, raita, salad, rasagolla, vanilla ice-cream with hot chocolate sauce comprised the rest of the menu.
The couple is expected to leave Calcutta on Monday for their honeymoon in Goa, before heading back for the States.
Photographs: Jewella C Miranda, Aparajita Saha. Design: Lynette Menezes
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