A mehndi ceremony is a pre-wedding celebration that is an integral part of weddings in many South Asian cultures, particularly in India and Pakistan. It includes music, dancing, and traditional rituals, fostering a joyous gathering of family and friends.
Each year since 2021, the Harvard College Pakistani Students Association (HCPSA) hosts a Mock Mehndi to showcase Pakistani culture through dance, food, decorations, and traditions. This past year, I had the privilege of hosting the third annual Mock Mehndi as President of HCPSA.
The anticipation leading up to the event was contagious, with everyone both in and outside of the Pakistani community counting down the days until the event. From selecting the venue to curating the playlist with the perfect desi beats, the entire HCPSA team worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of Mock Mehndi was carefully planned to capture the essence of a mehndi ceremony.
As guests arrived, they were greeted with vibrant decorations adorning the venue, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening. The excitement heightened as the bride and groom made their grand entrances, accompanied by cheers and applause from the crowd. The atmosphere continued to buzz with joy as the bride and groom’s friends performed dances, each showcasing unique cultural sides of Pakistan through choreography and song choices.
Following some performances, the much anticipated shoe-stealing ceremony, a playful tradition known as Jhoota Chupai, added a hilarious twist to the festivities. Typically, the members of the bride's side of the family would “steal” the groom's shoe and then the two sides engage in light-hearted banter as they negotiate the terms by which the shoe will be returned, usually the bride's side receives some sort of monetary gain. For HCPSA’s mock mehndi, we added a twist to the game. We asked the guests to donate a dollar or two in order to return the shoe to the groom. Once we reached $50, we would return the shoe. The night of the event, we raised almost four hundred dollars! We donated the money to support the establishment of a well in rural Pakistan!
As the evening progressed, heartfelt toasts and comedic roasts added a personal touch to the celebration, highlighting the bonds of friendship and camaraderie that united everyone in the room. Laughter filled the air as jokes brought smiles to the faces of attendees.
With the formalities concluded, guests were treated to dinner, featuring an array of Pakistani meals. From chicken biryani to nihari, there was something to satisfy everyone. As guests savored each bite, laughter and conversation filled the air.
Amidst the festivities, the mehndi station drew a crowd, with guests eagerly waiting their turn to adorn their hands with henna designs.
The open dance floor beckoned guests to dance the night away to Pakistani and Bollywood hits.
As Mock Mehndi drew to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on the impact of the evening. Through dance, music and shared traditions, the Pakistani community was able to share the parts of their culture they love the most and forge connections with those in attendance.
None of this would be possible without the amazing executive team of around twenty students who came early at 8 a.m. and spent all day decorating, picking up food and making sure everything was set for the big night. After the event was completed, the executive board stayed for a few hours to clean up the venue and concluded the night with a Pinnochio’s Pizza run in Harvard Square.
Without a doubt, this will be an event we continue to host each year. The spirit of the event was a testament to the enduring power of culture to inspire, unite and uplift us, leaving each guest with a lasting impression that would resonate long after the music faded.
