Hyderabad’s walima-style dinners offer a taste of Muslim wedding traditions
Walima-style dinners are gaining popularity in Hyderabad, offering guests traditional Muslim wedding food, music and ambience without a wedding ceremony. Events such as Daawat-e-Dastarkhan are attracting youngsters, IT professionals and families eager to experience the city's distinctive culinary traditions
Hyderabad: For those who have always wanted to attend a walima reception but never managed to get an invitation, Hyderabad now has an alternative — walima-style dinners without a bride or groom.
A walima is the traditional Muslim wedding reception held after the nikah, where the groom’s family invites relatives, friends and members of the community to celebrate the marriage over a meal. In Hyderabad, walimas are known for elaborate spreads of biryani, mutton and chicken dishes, kebabs, desserts and other delicacies.
The idea of organising walima-style dinners is slowly catching on in the city, giving people an opportunity to experience the food, music and atmosphere associated with a traditional Hyderabadi Muslim wedding. The events are attracting youngsters, IT professionals and families, including people who have heard about Hyderabad’s wedding traditions but have rarely had an opportunity to attend a walima.
Earlier this month, a ‘Daawat-e-Dastarkhan’ event was held at a function hall in Nampally, where tickets were priced between Rs 999 and Rs 1,299. The event featured a 20-item menu, including mutton murag, a meat platter, salads, chicken dishes, desserts and other delicacies. Sufi music and a performance of naubat added to the traditional atmosphere.
Ayesha Ghazi, who organised the event, said the idea was primarily to showcase Hyderabad’s food and cultural traditions in a setting that brought together people from different backgrounds.
“Walima is an important part of Hyderabad’s culture, particularly its food and hospitality. Through this event, we wanted people to experience that culture, the traditional food, Sufi music and naubat in one place. We saw youngsters, IT professionals, families and groups of friends attending. Some had never had an opportunity to attend a traditional walima and came out of curiosity to experience the food and atmosphere,” she said.
Ghazi said the response had encouraged her to plan a second edition of ‘Daawat-e-Dastarkhan’.
For one guest, the event fulfilled a long-standing wish. “I had always heard about the lavish food and atmosphere at Hyderabad walimas and wanted to experience one myself. This event finally gave me that opportunity. I really liked the ambience, food and the overall experience, especially coming here with friends,” he said.
Restaurants are also tapping into the interest. Abidi’s Virsa-E-Deccan on Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, has introduced a buffet featuring Deccani and Hyderabadi wedding-style dishes.
“We charge Rs 1,350 per person and it is available from afternoon till late night. People who want to experience Hyderabad walima food are coming with families and friends,” said restaurant manager Mohd Taufeeq.
