Coloured Rice Crackers or the East Indian Wedding Papri are crispy rice discs that the East Indian Community makes prior to a wedding ceremony.

Hi Guys, Just sharing a little insight into the Traditional East Indian Wedding Papri or Coloured Rice Crackers. These Wedding Papris hold a significant place at the East Indian Catholic Wedding customary Traditions.

These Rice Crackers or Papris are made by washing the rice and soaking it in water for a few hours. The rice is then set to sun-dry or air-dry until they turn crisp. This is then sent to the flour mill for grinding into a fine powder.

We make a smooth pancake-like batter with this rice flour by adding only salt and a little jaggery. A spoonful of the batter is then put on a plate (preferably a steel plate). The plate with the batter is swirled to create a paper-thin round disc or Papri. These papris are then set into a steamer for 3 to 4 minutes or until they turn opaque. The Rice crackers (Papri) are then placed on a cloth and left to dry until they turn crispy. We deep-fried the rice crackers in hot oil and enjoy them as a crunchy snack. They also double in size when deep-fried.

The process of making these Rice Crackers (Papri) may seem tedious and time-consuming but with the joyful wedding ambiance, this is enjoyable.

East Indian Catholic Wedding Traditions

The East Indian Catholic Wedding lasts for 5 days with ancient customs and traditions that are still being followed. One such tradition is the ‘UMBRACHA PANI’. This is a ceremony that is performed separately both at the groom’s and the bride’s place. This ceremony generally takes place a day before the nuptials.

The bride and groom, in their respective homes, are made to sit in the pandal erected for the wedding ceremony. Close relatives and friends apply turmeric and coconut milk to the bride and groom. The village barber is also summoned for this ceremony. Dancing and singing continue along with a fabulous spread of the East Indian meal. A table is laid with authentic dishes like Pork Vindaloo, Sorpotel, East Indian Fugias, Duck or Chicken Moile.

After dinner, relatives go in a procession to the village well, while singing and dancing to the local brass band. Girls carry empty pots on their heads with mango leaves, to draw water from the well. The procession ends at the village well from where water is drawn. The next morning the bride and groom bathe with this water before proceeding for their nuptials.

At the well….

At the well, the crowd enjoys themselves by singing folk songs and playing the Ghumat (an ancient musical instrument). Khimad, a local liquor brewed with spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves is served in ‘chavnis’ (shot glasses). The coloured rice crackers or the East Indian Wedding Papris are then roasted and served to all present.

After spending some time at the village well, it’s time to return back. The girls with pots on their heads, filled with well water along with the singing and dancing procession, return back to the wedding house. This time they take a different route back to the wedding home.

When the procession returns to the wedding house, singing and dancing continue in the Pandal for a little while longer. Thus, the day’s rituals and ceremonies that are carried out with fun and frolic comes to an end. The crowd then retires for the day to be ready for the next day’s ceremony. The ceremony for the next day, is the most important of all, it is the nuptials at the bride’s church.

This is the East Indian Catholic tradition what I vaguely remember and attended a long time ago. Do let me have your feedback and insights on this.

How to make Coloured Rice Crackers (East Indian Wedding Papri)

Making the Coloured Rice Crackers is a cumbersome and lengthy process. It involves three steps, first preparing the rice flour, making the batter, and forming the rice crackers. Finally drying the rice till they turn crispy.

Preparing the rice flour. We first wash the raw rice a couple of times and then dry it till the grains turn crisp. This rice is now ready to be ground into a fine powder in a flour mill.

Forming the Coloured Rice Crackers. You will need to make a smooth pancake-like batter with flour, salt, and jaggery. Melt the jaggery until all the lumps are dissolved and then sieve it to get a smooth batter. Divide the batter into 2 or 3 portions and colour them as per your choice. Set this batter aside for a few minutes and then spread a spoonful on a steel plate. Swirl the plate to make small round discs and steam it until the batter turns opaque.

Drying the Rice Crackers (Wedding Papri). Immediately remove the steamed rice crackers (papris) and spread them on a clean cloth and air dry them until the papris turn crispy. After the papris are completely dry store them in an airtight box and fry or roast them when required.

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