Variety is the spice of life. With weddings becoming more intimate and perhaps even more special, a fusion twist in the tale can make that marriage album so much more cherished, a keepsake for generations. Roja Paromita Dey’s flawless aesthetics fit in right with the theme of a fusion bride and the beautiful Bibriti Chatterjee played the muse to perfection. Make-up and hair pro Abhijit Chanda not only juggled this Telegraph shoot with at least three more brides, but also opened up his tastefully done-up south Kolkata pad for the shoot. We leave you with our memories and words from the shoot.
This was the “classic and quintessential Bengali bride” bedecked in A. Sirkar Jewellers. “I styled a traditional Benarasi silk with meena work and a classic motif with sabeki jewellery, which are complete heirloom pieces — choker, hanshuli necklace, long necklace, large jhumka and a maangtika which match the pendant pattern, pushpomala styled like a tiara, a typical Bengali design, bajubandh and nath,” said Roja. Her inspiration? Ashalata from Rituparno Ghosh’s Chokher Bali, played with just the right amount of innocent charm by Raima Sen. We could watch Abhijit do the lovely chandan work, signature Bengal, hours on end. The kohl eyes, the “earthy eyeshadow, peach-brown lips, mascara, defined eyebrows and centre-parted bun” added to the romance. Pabitra Das
Roja crafted a “modern, high fashion and extravagant” look with jewellery from Vasundhara: Creative Jewelry. “This is for someone who wants to wear a lot of jewellery but doesn’t want to wear gold or diamond. These days we have lots of options... gold-plated silver, copper or semi-precious stones. I think the headpiece and the nath took it to another level,” she said. How gorgeous is the Kathewad silk in mint green with resham and meena work and gold and silver jaal pattern?! Traditional yet modern. The make-up comprised light pink lips with shine, brown eyeshadow, black mascara, thin black liner, peach-pink cream blush, a small red bindi and textured bun accessorised with red flowers. Pabitra Das
“Traditional, neat and luxurious” was how Roja described this look. A rani pink pattu sari with lehariya zari pattern with a green choli, found a great partner in Tanishq’s jewellery. “The jewellery too had rani pink and green beads. I gave her a mango necklace with Lakshmi pendant, a tiny nosepin, earrings, bangles, tikli and rings. This a traditional south Indian bridal look,” said Roja. The neat pleats matched the subtle make-up. Abhijit gave her a centre-parted choti with white flowers, light bronze pink eyeshadow and smudged kajal with a brown eyeshadow, neutral peach-pink brown lips and an “Iyengar-style hand-painted bindi”. Pabitra Das
Model speaks
I really like the third look with jewellery from Vasundhara. That was really beautifully curated by Rojadi. In terms of jewellery, I really loved the last look, the Bengali bride. I am absolutely not into metals, like gold. I have developed a soft corner for silver jewellery, thanks to my best friend Diti (Saha, model). She styled me for the Byomkesh Gowtro premiere in her silver jewellery. That was the first time I wore silver jewellery properly. I have always loved accessories, but junk jewellery. Besides Pujas, you won’t see me in heavy jewellery.
I love Christian brides, especially Indian Christians, because then you can wear a sari or a gown. I don’t like the stereotypical reds on the wedding day and blue during the reception. I like minimal brides, but if I have to pick a look from the shoot, it’ll be the South Indian bride.
I want to wear a white Kanjeevaram for my wedding and the vermilion can be my accessory! From the recent celebrity weddings, I Iiked Anushka Sharma’s look the best — Bibriti Chatterjee
I wanted to cover different choices that a self-made, independent woman can opt for. Every girl wants to look like a queen, maybe one is different from the other. Indian brides can be varied. Every region has a different look. A Kerala bride loves her white sari, but in our Bengali culture, white is strictly a no-no. Onnoke ke bride shajano is like putul khela! It’s thrilling! I have spoiled so many of my Barbies trying to paint chandan patterns on their foreheads! I had a lot of fun doing this! - Roja Paromita Dey Pabitra Das
My top tip for the bride who wants to go fusion is try pink, brown or peach lips, depending on your complexion, but at the end of the day it is dependent on the bride’s personal choice... — Abhijit Chanda Pabitra Das
Saris: Rangoli
Special thanks: Gourab Ganguli and Suddhasree Ghosh