Sneak peek: Vivek-Priyanaka's so costly wedding card

Here's a sneak peek at the Vivek Oberoi-Priyanka Alva wedding card. The invite to Vivek Oberoi's wedding is a limited-edition piece, contains expensive Ganjifa art

We managed to find a copy of the invite which is a two-tiered box with chocolates, and within, the invite and a unique, limited-edition piece with a Ganjifa painting in it which makes it a collector's item.

Both the families will send out 2000 cards. A source close to Vivek says, "Priyanka and Vivek, being of a social bent of mind, put in a lot of thought and care while selecting their wedding and reception invite."

Ganjifa is a traditional art form of Karnataka which is dying because it's expensive to create and the pair decided to revive the craft.

Bro's Idea

It was Priyanka's brother Aditya who suggested that they revive the Ganjifa craft by having a miniature painting in each invite. It was a big decision as it expanded the wedding budget but the couple decided it would be worth it.

The bride and groom's moms personally met the Ganjifa artists and selected the paintings. There are 100 families in Karnataka who are still involved in Ganjifa art. It takes a month and half for one artist to make each painting.

The wedding card and reception invites are the same the only difference being that the scroll in the box holds the different dates for the wedding (October 29 in Bangalore) and the reception (October 31 at the Grand Maratha in Mumbai).

Eco-friendly

The invite comes in a gold bag with Oberois imprinted on it. The eco-concious couple has ensured that, "the invite and the bag carrying the invite have been made from handmade herbs.

Crushed gem stones and real gold and not synthetic dyes (as used in normal cards) have been used in the paintings. A sale of a painting provides one family with food and other necessities for a month, " said a source.

Adds an insider, "Even the scroll is made from 100 per cent recycled material. Priyanka wanted the cards to be environment friendly."

What's Ganjifa?

Ganjifa paintings are small paintings (miniature in style) usually done on a round shape. This unique fine art form blends the exquisite art of painting and craft.

Usually materials such as paper pulp, leaves, fibre or sea shells are used to make the cards. The base is made using these materials and then natural dyes are used to paint on it.

A final coat of lacquer is then applied on it. Themes consisting of the Gods of the Hindu pantheon are the most popular. Vivek's wedding and reception invites also carriy a small card explaining what the Ganjifa art form is all about. It says, "It's a form of miniature, aesthetic paintings. Ganj means treasure.

It evolved in its embellishments taking nuances from Mughal miniature art and the Tanjore art from South India. This art form was greatly patronised by the Vodeyars in Mysore.

Ganjifa paintings are divided into two parts the top part which has the image of the deity and the bottom part which has a symbol for the deity. It has been our endevour to contribute to the revival of this art form."