Mehndi Designs,Pakistani Mehndi ,Indian mehndi, Arabic mehendi
Mendhi
Mendhi (also Mehandi, Mehendi, etc.) is the application of Henna as a temporary form of skin decoration in South Asia, Southwest Asia, North Africa and the Horn of Africa, as well as by expatriate communities from these areas. Mehendi decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called henna tattoos. Henna is typically applied during special occasions like weddings and festivals. It is usually drawn on the palms and feet, where the color will be darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin which binds temporarily to lawsone, the colorant of henna. Henna was originally used as a form of decoration mainly for brides.
The term henna tattoo is inaccurate, because tattoos are defined as permanent surgical insertion of pigments underneath the skin, as opposed to pigments resting on the surface as is the case with mehndi
Likely due to the desire for a “tattoo-black” appearance, many people have started adding the synthetic dye PPD to henna to give it a black color. PPD is extremely harmful to the skin and can cause severe allergic reactions resulting in permanent injury or death.
Alata (Mahur) is a flower-based dye used to paint the feet of the brides in some regions of India. It is still used in Bengal.
Etymology :
The term Mendhī refers to the plant Lawsonia inermis and the dye produced from it, while the word Henna was used with the same meaning, in Arabic. Although these were originally synonymous terms, a distinction later arose between them, wherein Henna became the related art form.
Process :
There is evidence that mehndi as a ceremonial art form originated in ancient India. Intricate patterns of mehndi are typically applied to brides before wedding ceremonies see here. The bridegroom is also painted in some parts of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sudan. In Rajasthan (north-west India), the grooms are given designs that are often as elaborate as those for brides. In Assam, apart from marriage, it is broadly used by unmarried women during Rongali bihu (there’s no restrictions to the married ones).
The use of henna and mehndi by Muhammad ensured its place in history and its popularity and acceptance among the Muslim people. [2] In Arabic speaking countries such as Morocco, and some other countries in central Asia, it is done for any special occasion. It is done during the seventh month of pregnancy, after having the baby, weddings, engagements, family get-togethers, divali, as well as on other occasions.
