EAST COMES WEST

Evening Star, Issue 20993, 6 January 1932, Page 12

EAST COMES WEST

DOUBLE MOSLEM WEDDING SPLENDOUR OF ORIENT All the dazzling splendour of the East came West for the wedding at Nice on November 12 of the handsome twenty-four-year-old Prince Azam Jah, eldest son of the Nizam of Hyderabad, and heir to a vast fortune. The bride was Princess Durai-Sheh-var, the beautiful seventeen-year-old daughter of the ex-Sultan Abdul Mejid, who as.Khalif was supreme spiritual head of Islam. The Princess, who recently appeared unveiled, is of slender build, with dark hair. Her eyes, with their mysterious, haunting look, are her most striking feature. At the same time the Prince’s younger brother, Prince Mouzzam Jah, was married to Princess Hiluphar, niece of the ex-Khalif, who himself officiated at both ceremonies.

To the average Westerner the ceremony, which is of tremendous importance to the Moslem world, in that it unites two great Moslem dynasties, was unusual. Not only were the Princesses not present—their consent being given through men witnesses—but also there is to he no honeymoon, at least for the present. In accordance with Turkish custom, both Princesses will continue to live in their own home and the Princes in an hotel. At the beginning of December the whole party wiU leave for India, and the honeymoons will follow magnificent ceremonies which will take place at Hyderabad. GLAMOUR OF THE EAST. Blazing autumn sunshine bathing the white-walled Palais Carabacel, the exKhalif’s Riviera home, which was the scene of the ceremony, gave it that touch of colour needed to make it resemble a cameo of India. The picture was completed by the scarlet Turkish fezzes and multi-coloured uniforms worn by the guests. To Nice it was an unforgettable day. Crowds swarmed along the Promenade des Anglais and watched the two Princes drive _ off from their hotel in a luxurious limousine festooned with garlands of white carnations and greenery, and with four clusters of yellow roses at each corner. The white tulle with which the garlands were draped fluttered in tho wind as the cars swept along. Girls who were conspicuous in the crowds waved their handkerchiefs gaily at the two Princes, whoso good looks were accentuated by their glittering purple brocade tunics and heavy yellow turbans, on which were fixed masses of orange blossom and bunches of yellow roses. Prince Azam Jah seemed somewhat nervous. t The ceremony itself was simple. Besides the ex-Knalif and the two bridegrooms there were present only three members of tho Nizam’s Executive Council, Nawab Mahdi Yar Jung Bahadur, tho commander-in-chief of tho Hyderabad army, Nawab Osman Yar ud Dowleh, and other State officials. The marriage contracts were signed on behalf of the Princes by Nawab Sir Akbar Hydari, arnd on behalf of the Princesses by Prince Faroukh, eldest son of the ex-Khalif. Gathering twilight filled tho drawing room of tho palace where tho ceremony was performed. Closed shutters intensified tho gloom of an atmosphere heavy with scent. Great bouquets of roses, lilies, and carnations were strewn everywhere in profusion, while clouds of_ sweet-smelling incense climbed in spirals towards tho ceiling. CONSENT BY THE BRIDES. The ex-Khalif, a venerable _ figure with a long white beard, occupied tho centre of the scene, while the witnesses stood round in serried ranks, filling tho small room to overflowing. No women were present, the two brides with little girl attendants, their mothers, and other close relatives waiting in an adjoining room. Representatives of the two bridegrooms were delegated to approach the brides to request their consent, in accordance with Turkish custom. The signatures having been appended to to the marriage contract, the two Princes were ushered into the presence of their brides, and remained alone with them for a few moments. The Nizam has settled £25,000 on the bride of tho heir-apparent and £15,000 on Princess Hiluphar. November 12 was_ selected for _ the ceremonies because it was the birthday of the Nizam of Hyderabad. His Highness, whose fortune «> computed at £200,000,000, made a present of £20,000,000 to the British Treasury during the war..