September 1, 2009

Mehandi

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Mehandi is the other name of Indian medicinal plant Henna. Mehandi or henna is the name of the art of applying it to create washable tattoos on women's hands and legs as part of their...


Mehandi is the other name of Indian medicinal plant Henna. Mehandi or henna is the name of the art of applying it to create washable tattoos on women's hands and legs as part of their make up. Usually it is used during wedding time when both bride and bridegroom use Mehandi. Mehandi is also used for dying hair or coloring nails or weaving pattern in the waist or around the naval.

But on other occasions too, Mehandy is used. For any religious rituals or for any celebrations like birthday or marriage anniversaries, Indian women design their bodies with Mehandi patterns. Mehandy is the other name of celebrations in Indian sub-continent. Mehandi has crossed the religious and cultural barriers. Like the Hindus, Muslim women too apply Mehandi to celebrate occasions in South Asia. Mehandy has now become a fashion for the eves.

The universal beauty Cleopatra of ancient Egypt was said to have used Mehandi to color her hair. In modern time, American megastars like Madonna and Britney Spears use it. Mehandi body art has become very fashionable in the west. Almost all Hollywood actresses use it sometimes to color their hair or sometimes to draw pattern on their bodies.

The people of Indian sub-continent have been using henna for its medicinal qualities since time immemorial. In Ayurveda (Indian traditional medical science) too Henna plants are now being used as medicines.

Mehandi also symbolizes fertility. And for that reason Mehandi use is so wide spread during weddings. In the Mehandi design bride and bridegroom's names are written in a very complicated manner. Only a specialist eye can locate it. It is used to fool the bridegroom who if cannot locate it is said to have accepted the bride's control over him in their married life Mehandi has, however, health comforts. It is very cool and for that reason in the northern India Mehandi is so popular during summer time.

For hair dying, Mehandi powder is mixed with oil and a paste is made. The paste is meticulously used on the hair for a long period of time. After using the paste, on an average of four hours are taken to dry it out. The dying depends on the nature of the hair, If the Mehandi is suitable to any particular quality of hair, the drying process may take an hour or so. For using Mehandi on the body, the same paste is used. A brush is required to draw patterns. There is thousands of body design by Mehandi. Designs are separate for hands, legs, feet, arms, waist and the naval.

Mehandi design is so complicated that in India women go to beauty shops to have the pattern drawn on their body. The Mehandi market is a booming industry, mainly run by the women. Crores of rupees are exchanged in Mehandi markets where only rich women could afford to go. But in rural areas, Mehandi is still popular in their own way. .

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