Author: Rasika Bhatia
Publisher: Om Books International
I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever wondered what goes behind the scenes of a Big Fat Indian wedding?
The band, baaja, baraat have got louder. With destination weddings,
experiential events, curated guestlists gaining popularity, the wedding planner
has become a permanent fixture on the shaadi scene not just as the event
organiser but as the friend, philosopher, and guide to the entire khandaan. The
Great Indian Tamasha makes us realize that saying yes to the proposal is
probably the easiest part. As we immerse ourselves in the chaos of the stories
laced with black humour, we are exposed to the dark underbelly of the weddings
of the affluent and the influential. These weddings are more than just a
glamorous return to traditions or celebration of new kinship bonds; they have come
to epitomize conspicuous consumption and a show of strength. Well-known wedding
planner Rasika Bhatia’s incisive portrayal of spirited brides, hesitant grooms,
controlling parents, greedy in-laws, fraudulent clients, and conniving
competitors aptly depicts the behind-the-scenes shenanigans of the modern big,
fat Indian wedding that has indeed become a tamasha.
The book is a wonderful collection of 22 instances from Rasika’s experience as a wedding planner in Delhi where she introduces us to what all can go wrong while planning a wedding. Rasika’s narration is engaging and her emotions as she deals with the good, bad and the ugly keep you hooked to the book. I loved the fact that the stories have been carefully chosen to bring out the craziest of the events to the fore. Right from weather playing spoilsport to clients with weapons, each of the story is quite unique. As a planner, Rasika brings forth the struggles of bringing the dreams, whims and fancies of her client to life through the execution of the wedding they want and how it can test the limits of her patience. The book has been written in an easy-to-understand language which keeps you focused on the story and the umpteen characters that we meet. Another aspect of the book that I liked was that the book is always high on emotions and as a reader, I really appreciated those because it kept me interested in what was unfolding. Of the 22 stories, the ones that stood out for me were “In the Don’s Den”, “I’m going to Make You an Offer You Cannot Resist”, and “Pressing the Wrong Button”.
This is highly recommended for anyone who has a interest in drama and the human psyche. The book is definitely designed to be read one story at a time, savouring the moments as they happen. The book scores a 4.63/5 for me.
Get a copy of the book from Amazon India or your nearest Bookstore.
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