JOIN USThe who’s who of India Inc were there. And so were top politicians like Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. The occasion was the wedding reception of Jahnavi, daughter of Nandan Nilekani, former IT honcho and chairman of the new Unique Identification Authority of India and Rohini Nilekani, a philanthropist and chairperson and founder of ‘Arghyam’. The venue was the Leela Palace.
Given the Nilekani profile, it was no wonder that liquor was not on the menu but the spread had a global flavour. ‘Mysore Mallige’ was the theme of the evening. The guests ate to their heart’s content and also made most of the occasion by socialising and indulging in a little banter. The mood was traditional and the setting was sombre for a high-profile wedding.
Jahnavi wore a Banarasi brocade sari with a geometric motif in tones of royal blue and silver with a touch of rani-pink. It was matched with a Kanchipuram stole in shocking pink and silver. She complimented the look with diamond jewellery. Shray, the bridegroom, looked stunning in an ink-blue sherwani with silver pottus.
The women wore heavily brocaded and Kanchipuram saris with chunky jewellery. The men chose to slip into black, grey and navy blue suits. A few of Jahnavi’s expat friends tried their hand at Indian wear. Azim Premji and his wife were seen moving around and meeting people. Sudha Murthy, who was seen enjoying the lavish spread, was surrounded by a few young Infosians who were curious to know what she was writing on.
“My new book of short stories will be releasing soon,” she said to a friend. Theatre person Arundathi Nag was dressed in an elegant off-white saree. “There are a whole bunch of people I haven’t met in a long time. It’s time to catch up with them,” she said and rushed off with a friend. Jahnavi’s cousins wore heavily embroidered saris. “We’re thoroughly enjoying ourselves. And the food is great,” said Priya. The security was tight and only those with invitations were allowed inside the reception hall. Guests were seen coming in even after 10 pm.