Behind the veil

From hand-painted lehenga panels to the power of creation amidst violent destruction, brides share untold stories about their wedding garments.

- By SHRADHA SHAHANI

TANISHAA CUNHA'S MEHENDI outfit was riddled with inside jokes and memories, from the date she first met her partner to the city they studied in together. The artist knew she wanted to paint her own lehenga because she “didn’t want to wear just another designer piece. I wanted my outfit to encapsulate the story of our 11-year-long relationship”.

Cunha’s powder-white ensemble was painted in sunset hues, floral motifs were deftly interspersed with elements from the couple’s journey and no two panels were alike—some featured wildlife, depicting their love for safaris, while others sported Jaipur motifs as an ode to their wedding destination.

Over six months, the multidisciplinary artist and her designer friend Simone Contractor Vakil of the clothing brand Simone Handcrafted tested materials and paints. “Simone provided 12 raw silk panels that became the blank canvas for the art. Throughout the wedding planning, even if I was on a Zoom call discussing details, I'd be painting my lehenga on the side.” Her partner loved the final result so much that she made him a matching bandhi for their wedding in January last year.