The Marathi Bride

The Marathi Bride ( Writeup below credits )

Model: Apurva Lonkar ,couldn’t imagined this shoot without you

Makeup and Hair: MiShal Sahdevv thank you for working your magic

Jewelry: Beautiful jewelry by Moraa Moraa Jewelry Thank you for your providing jewelry for Bothe the bridal shoots. Kavita Maheshwary and Sujata Singh

Henna: Henna Fairyy thanks for completing the look with your beautiful henna Zairin Hussain

assisted by : @avnibid @aayushkhator @varsha_vagad

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It has been a year since I shot the Punjabi bride and ever since then have wanted to photograph 'The Marathi Bride'. An ode to the diversity and beauty of my motherland.

Maharashtra is a state in the Western Peninsular region of India. A culture whose pillars are Simplicity and Humility. A community that values education over everything else.

The Marathi bride wears a saree drape style which is called 'Nauvari' 9 yards. The Nauvari saree, which means Nine Yards, has a historical milieu. It is said that during the Maratha rule, women were entrusted to help their fellow male warriors. To facilitate easy movement, Maharashtrian women introduced the Nauvari saree which resembled a male trouser.A society that was modern and progressive enough to include women in the army.

She wears a nose ring called the nath and adorns a chandra bindi. Lastly she also wears a thread around her head called the 'Baashing'

We tried to portray the scenes where the bride is getting ready for the wedding. She prays and calls upon her favorite God before the big day. In my culture daughters are referred to as Godess Laxmi so I thought of using the Lotus as a prop.

Thanks to everyone in San Ramon who offered everything required to create the set and more than what I had ever asked and needed. Blessed to be part of an amazing community! Shipra Marwaha Geeta Goyal, Kirti Maheshwari Chauhan Bindu Vijay Latha Amilineni