India, July 30 -- When 33-year-old Sahil Bhutani agreed to accompany his friend to a Marwari wedding in Kolkata, he was not expecting a sushi spread on the menu. "I was bemused to see Japanese food items, which are traditionally prepared with fish and other seafood, at a pure-vegetarian wedding. It was all-vegetarian sushi, of course, consisting of cucumber, carrot, avocado, and it was fascinating to see everyone's plates lined with rows of it alongside dal makhani, rajma and mint chutney."

Taking a cue from the Kolkata crowd, he incorporated the idea at his own wedding earlier this year. While his very north Indian wedding ceremony progressed, guests, including this writer, stuffed our faces with lavish prawn tempura and salmon sushi wi...