No bad vibes

Celebrating the quiet vigilantes of Indian weddings—talismans and traditions that protect the happy couple from ill intent.

- By SIMONE DHONDY

If there is one tradition that is an inextricable part of the Indian wedding machinery, it’s the meticulous art of warding off nazar. This full-fledged operation has everyone from pandits and Pinky maasi to your first-grade teacher moonlighting as security guards against the evil eye.

In this realm, DIY spiritual defence from a stray compliment can be interpreted as an act of aggression. Just a week before my wedding, the designer who was creating my outfit innocently posted a sneak peek of my bridal ensemble on Instagram. The DMs came flooding in: “Make her take it down immediately!” Cue panic. By the time of my next fitting, the dress had to be let out. Whether the culprit was the evil eye or PMS bloat remains a mystery to this day. But I’ll tell you this: nothing humbles a bride faster than realising that the universe has teamed up with her waistline to make a point.