Nani
Mother's mother — maternal grandmother.
Hindi: नानीPunjabi: ਨਾਨੀ
Seema's mother; her recorded songs open the Sangeet.
Family & Ritual Glossary
Words you will hear and see throughout the keepsake, with their meanings and the languages they come from.
Kinship Names
Dadi
Father's mother — paternal grandmother.
Hindi: दादीPunjabi: ਦਾਦੀ
Massi / Maasi
Mother's sister — maternal aunt.
Hindi: मासीPunjabi: ਮਾਸੀ
Meera Massi is Seema's sister.
Chitthi / Chithi
Father's younger sister — paternal aunt.
Tamil: சித்திHindi: चिट्ठी / भुआ
Meera Chitthi is Mr. Mukund's sister.
Bua
Father's sister — paternal aunt.
Hindi: बुआPunjabi: ਭੂਆ
Vinita Bua is Karun's sister.
Mama
Mother's brother — maternal uncle.
Hindi: मामाPunjabi: ਮਾਮਾ
Thatha
Grandfather.
Tamil: தாத்தா
Desikia Thatha is Aditi's grandfather.
Masa
Aunt's husband — uncle by marriage.
Hindi: मासाPunjabi: ਮਾਸਾ
Vikram's wife is family; Masa refers to her by her relationship to the Jain side.
Bhaiya / Bhai
Older brother or respectful term for a male relative.
Hindi: भैयाPunjabi: ਭਾਈ
Vikram Bhaiya.
Aunty / Uncle
Respectful terms for older family friends, used across Indian communities regardless of blood relation.
Ritual & Event Words
Jai Mala
Garland exchange. The bride and groom place flower garlands on each other as a public "yes."
Hindi: जय माला
Kanyadanam
The bride's father gives her hand to the groom, entrusting her to the new family.
Tamil: கன்னியாதானம்
Thali / Mangalsutra
The sacred necklace the groom ties around the bride's neck in a Tamil Hindu wedding.
Tamil: தாலிHindi: मंगलसूत्र
Saptapadi
Seven steps around the sacred fire, each one a vow.
Sanskrit: सप्तपदीTamil: சப்தபதி
Kasi Yatra
The groom pretends to leave for Kashi to pursue a spiritual life; the bride's father invites him back to marry.
Tamil: காசி யாத்திரை
Oonjal
Swing ceremony. The couple sits on a swing while family performs aarthi and sings.
Tamil: ஊஞ்சல்
Sankalpa
The priest states the couple's names, families, and intention to marry, opening the ceremony.
Sanskrit: संकल्प
Ashirvad / Ashirvadam
Blessings from elders and the priest at the close of the ceremony.
Hindi: आशीर्वादTamil: ஆசீர்வாதம்
Rasam
A ritual or ceremonial tradition.
Hindi / Punjabi: रसम / ਰਸਮ
Chunni Chadhana
Punjabi pre-wedding ritual welcoming the bride into the family with a ceremonial scarf.
Punjabi: ਚੁੰਨੀ ਚੜ੍ਹਾਨਾ
Jaago
A lively Punjabi pre-wedding procession with singing and decorated pots.
Punjabi: ਜਾਗੋ
Boliyan
Short, call-and-response Punjabi folk couplets, often sung at celebrations.
Punjabi: ਬੋਲੀਆਂ
Sangeet
A musical evening of family performances held before the wedding.
Hindi: संगीत
Baraat
The groom's wedding procession, traditionally with music and dancing.
Hindi / Punjabi: बारात / ਬਾਰਾਤ
Dance & Music Terms
Jhumr
A style of Punjabi folk music and dance.
Aarthi
A ritual of waving a lit lamp in front of someone as a blessing.
Hindi: आरतीTamil: ஆரத்தி
Phoolon ka Chadar
A floral canopy held over the bride's head as she enters.
Hindi: फूलों का छतर