The Bengali Community Outside Bengal

By Author: Ankush Singhal
Total Articles: 173
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Bengalis are present everywhere. This community is spread not just in India but also in all parts of the world. They have adopted the culture and traditions of the place. Most of the Bengalis outside Bengal are engaged in work related to education, teaching, arts, media, and research and development work. Interestedly, Bengali language is the sixth most spoken language in the world. This also makes it clear about the spread of Bengali community around the world. Wherever the Bengalis goes, they have kept their unique culture and tradition alive. Whether it is organizing for the famous Durga Puja or preparing for the Bengali Matrimony rituals, the Bengali community outside Bengal observes them with originality.

The Bengali Matrimony customs and traditions outside Bengal have all the items required in any common Bangla community. From Bengali origin priests to decoration typical of Bengali matrimony function, the community members arrange all things even outside Bengal. The Bengali diaspora observes the rituals and customs very religiously.

Some ...
... of the uniqueness associated to a Bengali Matrimony Function is as follows:

Read is the auspicious one, Black is not used:

Bengali believes that Black is considered evil and hopelessness. The color is not used in any form in the wedding. Even the hairpins in the Bridal hairdo avoid the use of black. Red is considered the sign of good luck and fortune for the bride. The sindoor (vermillion) is bright red, the alta (colored liquid) in her feet is red and the flowers in her hair is red. Red signifies romance. The Bengali diaspora outside the state also goes by this faith and avoids black.

Banana Tree is another important thing associated with Bengali Matrimony:

The mandap, the place where the final rituals will take happen, has banana tree. It is used to decorate the place. This has significance. Banana tree produces a number of fruits at a time. This is compared to the bride, who is supposed to have many kids. It is a symbol of fertility. Bengalis still find the banana tree, even if it is a small one.

The Baran Daala:

The Baran Daala is another unique thing associated with the Bengalis. It is a bamboo tray where many ingredients are placed like grass, paddy seeds, sandal, fruits, flowers, curd, ghee, cloth, conch shell and metals like gold and silver. Besides these, there are many other things as well kept in number like seven beetle nuts, seven beetle leaves and seven shells.

Use of the Conch Shells:

The use of conch shells in any auspicious occasion is Bengal is necessary. It goes for the wedding of Bengali matrimony. After the start and end of every ritual, the women member blows the conch shells. The sound of the conch shells is said to be making the environment divine. Even women community members outside Bengal still practice this custom. Blowing of conch shells are part of the event.

Besides these, food and the way men and women dress makes the entire Bengali matrimony function unique.

Shipra writes on behalf of Jeevansathi.com, which is among the fastest growing Matrimonial Sites of India. Jeevansathi.com helps the users to search bridegroom from their respective community like Bengali Matrimony with their online matrimonial and match making services.