Abu Dhabi, UAESaturday 24 August 2019

American reality star sends tone deaf tweet about Priyanka Chopra's wedding

It's a study in ethnocentrism

Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra at their sangeet ceremony. Photo: Instagram/Priyanka Chopra 

Last night, Priyanka Chopra shared beautiful photos of her sangeet ceremony, which saw her and Nick Jonas's families battle it out on stage.

"Each familiy telling our stories through song and dance, filled with lots of laughter and love," wrote Chopra on her Instagram. "We were both filled with gratitude for the effort, the love and the laughter and will carry the memories of this special evening for the rest of our lives."

Press the arrow to scroll through the images and video of the event - showing Priyanka and her family, and everyone from Joe Jonas to Sophie Turner on stage:

While most people who commented on Chopra's Instagram post (which has been liked more than 3 million times) simply wrote things like 'looking fabulous' and 'congratulations', Vanderpump Rules star Stassi Schroeder took it upon herself to tweet this:

This is potentially the best reply she received to the tweet:

Some people on Twitter jumped to Schroeder's defense, saying she was suggesting the marriage was a sham - but, really, this tweet is a study in ethnocentrism. You might not like the thought of a song and a dance, but those in glass houses should not throw stones: the 'first dance' is definitely a tradition that Americans have run away with. And also, one culture's cringe, can be another's celebration, and it's important to be open minded.

But, most importantly, anyone who sees anything but joy in a sangeet is really hunting for the negative: the sangeet ceremony is one of the key pre-wedding traditions in Hindu, Punjabi and Gujurati culture - and is without direct religious significance, so is just about surrounding the couple with happiness and joy. It's a tradition began long before the United States of America was even a thing.

Anyone who has been to a sangeet - which we're guessing Schroeder hasn't - will know that the music and happiness is contagious. Traditionally, sangeet dances were held over around one week, but have, in modern times, been distilled into one day.

A big part of the event is that the bride and groom's families get to know each other when preparing the song and dance numbers - it's really all about popping the tension and stress that can surround a big day. Sangeets will always include song and dance, but sometimes also involve comedy skits, slideshows and professional performances.

Here's a fun example:

Don't like it? Don't participate. But, also, don't comment without educating yourself.


Read more:

An insider's guide to Priyanka Chopra's mehendi ceremony

Stunning photos from Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's wedding in Italy

30 celebrities who attended Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone's wedding reception - in pictures


Top 10 Bollywood power couples, ranked


Updated: December 3, 2018 09:58 AM