Pervez Musharraf attends royal Indian wedding in Dubai

The Atlantis at the Palm Jumeriah was transformed into a lavish Mughal palace with large white domes and sparkling chandeliers, and escorts dressed in traditional Mughal attire, on Friday night for the wedding ceremony of Indian royalty Nida Mulk and Bilal Muahid Khan.

Daughter of Shaji Ul Mulk, who hails from the royal family of Kurnool in Hyderabad, Nida married US-based Bilal Muahid Khan, in an opulent ceremony befitting of their regal legacy.

Shaji has been established in Sharjah with his company Mulk Holdings. His legacy dates back to the Nawab of Kurnool in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

Many prominent dignitaries like former Pakistani president Pervez Musharraf, Consul General of India Sanjay Verma, Indian ambassador to UAE M K Lokesh and Pakistani ambassador to UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan attended the function.

They also advised the newly-wedded couple on the secrets of happy marriages.

Bridal couple Nida Mulk and Bilal Muahid Khan. (Supplied)

A line of men dressed as soldiers, with head bowed in respect, welcomed guests as they entered into the hall at the Atlantis.

A red carpet marked the entry into the main hall that was dressed in white sheer drapes and glittery chandeliers.

Numerous round tables, dressed in white with flowered centre table décor, filled the space.

Extravagant designs adorned the main stage.

Two mini-domes housed the bride and the groom before the ‘nikah’ (the wedding ceremony) and the larger main one for once the marriage was solemnised.

The groom made a grand entry on a horse, with a host of dancers and an army of soldiers preceding him to the tune of blaring trumpets.

Nearly twenty minutes after he and his family were escorted to the hall, the bride arrived perched on a shimmery shoulder carriage with popular Bollywood music playing in the backdrop. Ladies dressed in white, shiny outfits danced in front, while another bunch with illuminated head-gear performed closer to the stage.

Pakistani ambassador to UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan and Indian ambassador to UAE M K Lokesh at the function. (Supplied)

The musical routine came to a halt as the bride disembarked the carriage and was ushered to the other stage.

The marriage ceremony was honoured few minutes later, after close relatives and the bride’s father reminded guests of the family’s valiant past and their close association with Tipu Sultan.

Although most of the Indian royal families aren’t part of the Indian democratic politics, their royal bloodline echoes their powerful influences in India’s colonial past. Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk’s family had ruled South India’s Kurnool area and fought the British colonial powers alongside the legendary ruler of Mysore Tipu Sultan.

Soon after the ‘nikah’ the guests were treated to a spread of rich, Mughali dishes complete with biriyani, kebabs, mutton and prawn curry and a host of vegetarian fare.

Indian Idol singer Abhijeet Sawant took to the stage to enthrall and entertain the guests to some peppy Bollywood tracks.

FOR PICTURE GALLERY OF THE WEDDING CLICK BELOW:

A touch of Royal at this Indian wedding in Dubai

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