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Mehndi
This is a very popular form of art and craft prevalent among women. Also known as
henna, mehndi designs on the palms and feet is symbolic of good luck, artistic taste
and religious attitude. There is hardly a function or festival in Rajasthan or for
that matter India when women do not apply mehndi on their palms to make themselves
more beautiful. A sticky paste is made by mixing a little water with the aid of
a match-stick. A fantasy of delightful patterns are thus created, which when dried,
leave rich red designs printed on the skin.
The Rajasthani Mehendi is considered to be one of the best because it leaves the
darkest color of red on hands and feet. For this reason only, the henna of Rajasthan,
India is very much in demand for the bridal mehndi also.
In Rajasthan, Mehendi is put up on almost each and every occasion, in a different
design, as it is considered very auspicious. One of the most popular designs in
Rajasthan is the one called chowk. Literally meaning a courtyard, it is put up in
various forms, each form being suitable for a different occasion. One design is
applied at the time of the Gangaur fair, another at the time of Teej, yet another
for Holi and so on. Other popular designs are chopper (game of dice, symbolic of
marital love), lahriya (waves), pankhi or beejani (meaning fan), etc.
Mehndi has a special role during Karva Chauth, celebrated in Rajasthan in the month
of October. On this occasion, women take the day off, apply mehndi, dress in their
wedding clothes and fast for the well-being of their husbands until they see the
moon at night. Although the art is used primarily for decoration today, the use
of mehndi is expressive of a distinct culture and bond that is created between women
on such occasions. Different emotions and characteristics of their lives can be
seen in the art work and the designs themselves reveal many sublime aspects of womens
culture.
Amongst other favorites are chopper, representation of a game which is played by
throwing dice and is symbolic of conjugal love; pankhi or beejani meaning a hand-fan,
a typical design for the summers; and, lahriya meaning a wave or a ripple, the most
popular pattern in the rainy season.
You can draw mehndi in all bigger shopping malls of jaipur like saraogai menson,
gaurav tower, big bazaar at the time of festivals. You can also draw mehndi at Nehru
bazaar, bapu bazaar and Johri bazaar.
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