The wife of Indian politician and former United Nations Under-Secretary General Shashi Tharoor has described her husband as a “terrible romantic”.
Sunanda Pushkar said Tharoor was the most romantic person she had ever known.
“For my engagement he read a poem out loud – his own poem,” Pushkar said.
At the time of the interview Pushkar was preparing for the finale of her three-day wedding celebration with Tharoor.
“He’s so laid-back, gentle and romantic. That’s what I love about him,” she said.
tabloid! was given exclusive access to the mehendi - an evening of song and dance held before the main wedding – on Sunday night.
Pushkar, who wore a heavily-embellished red and green sari by Indian designer Shaahid Amir, played the perfect host and happily posed for photographs with friends and her high-profile guests. Tharoor, meanwhile, chose a dapper Bandh Gala, a long Indian tunic with a Mandarin collar, and topped off with a two-toned silk scarf, also put together by Amir.
Pushkar also gave tabloid! a glimpse of her trousseau for the three-day celebration in Dubai.
Anjali Chandiramani, Pushkar’s designer and friend, who is helping to put it all together, said: “Sunanda was always aware of the political nature of her wedding. So her only request was that I keep that in mind and not go over-the-top with any of the saris or designs. But she asked me to go ahead with some bright colours”.
The celebrations were to be followed by a lagan – a ritualistic Hindu ceremony – on Monday and the grand finale reception on Tuesday night.
The couple already wed in a Kerala-style traditional ceremony on August 22 at Tharoor’s ancestral home.
The wedding also ended speculation about the status of their relationship, which has been a source of much controversy in India. Earlier this year, allegations surfaced that Pushkar, who is based in Dubai, had received a free stake in the cricketing Indian Premiere League due to her friendship with the minister.
Tharoor was eventually forced to step down as the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.
Pushkar spoke about the controversy surrounding her relationship with Tharoor, her family, and of course her many dresses for what is easily the Indian wedding of the year.
Read all about it in Tuesday’s tabloid!
