And Mehndi colours her hands with dense leaves and swirls, sending its fragrance around her with wishes that her life too may bloom with flowers and beauty.

He comes decked in royalty, his friends the Shenai and drums escort him to his coy beloved now embowered in the marriage tent, filled with fragrance and dreams... May her mehndi be kissed by him, her sweet, red coloured hands and may those carry a future of falling roses and gems.

They all sing, sing as the horses and elephants bring him to her...he will place her in his heart. Her mehndi will answer his silent longings and the fire will bear witness to it all..