One of the unique parts about being the bride getting married in a traditional, Tamil Hindu ceremony is that you have two grand entrances. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Tamil Hindu weddings, the bride typically joins the ceremony in one outfit (usually a saree) and completes the ceremony in her second outfit. The brides first entrance is for the purification rituals and blessing of the Thali/Koorai (bridal saree ) after which, the bride leaves to change into her Koorai saree. It is after the bride returns in her Koorai that the groom ties the thali (See what we did there)

 

Images by EM Photography

It never occurred to us how special this truly is until we brought along a non-Tamil friend with us to a family wedding. Having been her first Tamil Hindu wedding, she was amazed at pretty much everything, but the one thing that blew her mind was that the bride got two head turning entrances!

“She gets TWO entrances in DIFFERENT outfits? I’m definitely having a Tamil Ceremony!”

With having two entrances comes the job of picking two songs for each entrance. Some brides chose to let the Traditional Nadhaswaram and Thavil players carry on with the Mangalya Vadyam during their entrance, while others chose to have a specific song playing. Being a Tamil bride means you have more options than the classic ” Here Comes the Bride!”

For those brides who are looking to have songs played during their entrance, we at Tie • The • Thali have compiled a list of songs ranging from old classics to new compositions that we believe will highlight every brides arrival at a Hindu wedding! (PS: For those of you looking for wedding worthy songs for highlight reels, playlists etc. ,  make sure you check out our full wedding playlist: Ultimate Tamil Wedding Songs – Playlist )

1. Mulumathy

Film: Jodha Akbar
Singers: Srinivas

Alternatively, we also LOVE this acoustic version by Diluckshan Jeyaratnam! Although this version is only of a portion of the song, you can use this part if you are making your own mix.

2. Manamaganin Sathiyam

Film: Kochadiyan
Singers: Haricharan & Latha Rajanikanth

Male Part (0:00 – 1:49)

Female Part:

3. Pen Alla Pen Alla

Film: Uzhaven
Singer: S.P. Balasubramniam

Of course our search of this song led us to this amazing medley version performed live at
A. R. Rahman’s concert. While there is quite a bit of talking and background noise in this clip, with some mixing, this would sound amazing!

4. Mangalyam

Film: Alaipayuthe
Singers: A. R. Rahman, Srinivas and Clinton Cerejo

5. Un Vizhigalil

Film: Maan Karate
Singers: Anirudh, Shruti Hassan

6. Pookale Sattru Oyivedungal

Film: I
Singers: Haricharan, Shreya Goshal

7. Mayilirage

Film: Anbe Aaruyire
Singers: Sadhana Sargam, Naresh Iyer

8. Ye Manpuru

Film: Guru
Singers: A. R. Rahman, Srinivas

9. Ithu Thaana

Film: Saamy
Singers: Chithra

10. Manamagale Manamagale

Film: Thevar Magan
Singers: Swarnalatha, Minmini & Sindhuja

11. Gowry Kalyana Vaypogame

By: Enneume

12. En Jeevan

Film: Theri
Singers: Hariharan, Saindavi

(Specifically 12:56 – 14:00)

14. Nila Kaigirathu (Violin Cover)

Artist: Karthick Iyer and Ramprasad Sundar

This song is originally from the movie Indira and was sung by Hariharan and Harini

15. Raja Rani Background Music – Church; Surya & Regina

Film: Raja Rani
Composer: G. V. Prakash

(Specifically 2:33 – 4:23)

16. Raja Rani Background Music – Climax

Composer: G. V. Prakash

(Specifically 4:27 – 6:45)

17. Love Bug Has Bitten

Film: Remo
Composer: Anirudh Ravichander

(Specifically 12:56 – 14:00)

18. First Sight Background Music

Film: Remo
Composer: Anirudh Ravichander

(Specifically 0:36 – 1:40) 

19. Vinnaithandi Varuvaya Background Music

Composer: A. R. Rahman

(Specifically 0:00 – 1:30): 

20. Haira Haira Background Flute

Film: Jeans
Composer: A. R. Rahman

21. Uyiraagi

Film: Solo
Singers: Dulquer Salmaan, Bejoy Nambiar

 

22. Unakaga

Film: Bigil
Singers: Sreekanth Hariharan, Madhura Dhara Talluri

 

 

Any one of these songs will make heads turn in anticipation of the brides arrival. What songs did you use at your wedding? Comment below as Tie • The • Thali would love to do a post on an ultimate wedding playlist!

UPDATE: Our Ultimate Tamil Wedding Song – Playlist is ready. Click the link below to see the full playlist. (Ultimate Tamil Wedding Songs – Playlist)