Tuesday, December 1, 2009

which the Bride’s family



which the Bride’s family gives her away to the Groom. This is a very emotional ceremony for the Bride and her parents. After the Gauri Pooja the Bride is asked to join her parents at the “Mandapam”. Here the Bride and the Groom are separated by a curtain placed between them. They are not to see each other until after the marriage ceremony. The Bride’s parents wash the Groom’s feet in a gesture that symbolizes their belief that he is a form of God to whom they now offer their daughter’s hand

efore the Sumuhurtam


efore the Sumuhurtam, the Groom already starts his rituals in the “Mandapam” during which time, the Bride is performing Pooja to Goddess Parvati (Also known as Gauri) in another room. She prays to Goddess Gauri to bless her with a happy married life, and during this pooja the Bride is not supposed to utter a single word. At an appointed time, the priests at the “Mandapamm” ask the Bride

Monday, November 30, 2009

According to the book Menhadi Rang



According to the book Menhadi Rang Rachi by Dr. Mahendra Bhanawat, mehndi has been used in India especially for its cooling effect. It was mixed with water and drunk as a method of therapy, although I do NOT suggest that you do that with the mehndi that you purchase. It is not a safe thing to do so don't risk it. It was also used in packs to help According to the book Menhadi Rang Rachi by Dr. Mahendra Bhanawat, mehndi has been used in India especially for its cooling effect. It was mixed with water and drunk as a method of therapy, although I do NOT suggest that you do that with the mehndi that you purchase. It is not a safe thing to do so don't risk it. It was also used in packs to help According to the book Menhadi Rang Rachi by Dr. Mahendra Bhanawat, mehndi has been used in India especially for its cooling effect. It was mixed with water and drunk as a method of therapy, although I do NOT suggest that you do that with the mehndi that you purchase. It is not a safe thing to do so don't risk it. It was also used in packs to help

when used in any



ehndi, when used in any form, is considered very enriching and conditioning for the skin or the hair. If you have ever had mehndi applied, you may notice that the application has a very therapeutic effect upon the skin and creates a cooling sensation. Additionally, this cool feeling remains for the duration that the henna paste is upon the skin and is aided by the lemon-sugar solution. Mehndi has always been recognized as a wonderful hair conditioneehndi, when used in any form, is considered very enriching and conditioning for the skin or the hair. If you have ever had mehndi applied, you may notice that the application has a very therapeutic effect upon the skin and creates a cooling sensation. Additionally, this cool feeling remains for the duration that the henna paste is upon the skin and is aided by the lemon-sugar solution. Mehndi has always been recognized as a wonderful hair conditione

any women use mehndi



any women use mehndi as hair dye; henna colors hair a very bright red. In Middle Eastern countries such as Yemen, people apply henna in a similar technique to the Indian/Muslim form, but as a full body paint. In this style, the mehndi runs all over a person's body, is less intricate than Indian mehndi, and is additionally considered complete in itself with henna applied, in contrast to the Indian style, in which the henna is removed to reveal stained skin. Also, Muslim men traditionally apply henna to their hair to make it a very bright re

hennalounge. co



hennalounge. com The stain of the herb henna painted onto the palms and arms and feet for traditional wedding.
Keywords: henna, wedding mehndi, Indian wedding, India Bride

irls apply mehndi on thier hands. T



irls apply mehndi on thier hands. Tomorrow is Karva Chauth but the girls are already in full colors of Karva Chauth. A big day for married women in India. They are on a fast for whole day for the long lives of thier husbands. They apply mehndi and are colorfully dressed up. They break the fast in the evening when see the moon in presence of thier husbands.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

e art of mehndi has existed for centuries.



e art of mehndi has existed for centuries. The exact place of its origin is difficult to track because of centuries of people in different cultures moving through the continents and taking their art forms with them and therefore sharing their art with everyone along the way.
Some historical evidence suggests that mehndi started in India while others believe it was introduced to India during the twelfth century A.D. I personally feel that it would be hard to argue the fact that it appeared as an art form in Egypt first.
Proof has been found that henna (mehndi) was used to stain the fingers and toes of Pharaohs prior to mummification over 5000 years ago when it was also used as a cosmetic and for its healing power. The mummification process took 70 days and as the Egyptians were diligent in planning for their deaths and their rebirth in the afterlife, they became quite obsessed with the preservation process. The Egyptians believed that body art ensured their acceptance into the afterlife and therefore used tattooing and mehndi to please the

Mehndi party is a social gathering



Mehndi party is a social gathering that is held before an Indian / Pakistani marriage ceremony. Mehndi gathering are typically held at the family residence of the bride in the week leading up to the actual wedding ceremony and are attended by friends and relatives who apply Mehndi which is known by Henna also to the bride’s hands, feet and body. It is considered highly favorable to decorate the hands and feet of a bride with Henna / Mehndi and usually the grooms name is written on the palm of the bride’s hand.
Party of Mehndi ceremony is a enjoyable and lively party and there is usually a special banquet prepared specially for the event. Mehndi parties are thrown across all regions of India and Pakistan the style and mode of the celebration often varies across different regions according to their own customs and traditions.
In the past, women only attended Mehndi parties and female relatives and friends of the bride will dance to music and play the dholak. In this day and age, Mehndi parties are no longer considered a private affair and have become plentiful and complicated celebrations tha

Girls apply mehndi on thier hands


Ocassion : Karva Chauth
Girls apply mehndi on thier hands. Tomorrow is Karva Chauth but the girls are already in full colors of Karva Chauth. A big day for married women in India. They are on a fast for whole day for the long lives of thier husbands. They apply mehndi and are colorfully dressed up. They break the fast in the evening when see the moon in presence of thier husbands.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Meet the delegates from Pravasi



They may have gone to distant lands generations back, but in some corner of their heart, still lives an Indian.
Meet the delegates from Pravasi Bharatiya Divas shopping for incense sticks, Kolhapuri chappals, gorging on `pani puris and samosas' at the All-India Crafts Mela at Shilparamam and you know them to be very familiar.
Even the pink salwar suit and the lavish application of mehndi does not reveal the Indian connection of Maya Cesari, who works as a youth affairs official in Reunion Island.
My grandfather was an Indian, we are the third generation of Indians who had settled

ometimes, there’s a lot that misses your



ometimes, there’s a lot that misses your eye when you look at the big picture. Perfection, they say, lies in the finer details. The finer details can at times be the toughest things to iron out. If Indian weddings have become a second name for booming business, there are a whole lot of professionals who are thanking the boom for the fringe benefits.
Wedding planners will tell you that deciding on the venue, caterers, guest list, jewellery and the trousseau are top priority. They will also tell you that the time, effort and money spent on ‘miscellaneous’ can take a toll. From top-of-the-line designers to your nearest darzi, mehndi artists to beauticians, and wedding choreographers to bangle sellers, everyone has a part to play. Off season and on season rates differ and bookings are done well in ad vance.
Hobbies have turned into lucrative career options for many. Kiran G. Chabria was just another youngster who enjoyed mehndi sessions until she discovered the hidden potential. A mehndi artist who’s blocked da tes on her diary for several weddings in the next few months, she also gives tuitions for aspirants! “It’s a nice feeling to be pampered when someone applies mehndi to you. There’s no Indian wedding without mehndi. The darker the colour, the more a

Mehndir Hinas the application of henna



Mehndir Hinais the application of hennaHindustani: हेना- حنا- urdu) as a temporary form of skin decoration, most popular in South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Somaliland as well as expatriate communities from these areas. It is typically employed for special occasions, particularly weddings. It is usually drawn on the hands and feet, where the color will be darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin, with which the colorant of henna, lawsone, enters a permanent bind.
Henna paste is usually applied to the skin using a plastic cone or a paint brush, but sometimes a small metal-tipped jacquard bottle used for silk painting (a jac bottle) is used. The painted area is then wrapped with tissue, plastic, or medical tape to lock in body heat, creating a more intense color on the skin. The wrap is worn overnight and then removed. The final color is reddish brown and can last anywhere from two weeks to several months depending on the quality of the paste.
The patterns of mehndi are typically quite intricate and predominantly applied to brides before wedding ceremonies. However, traditions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sudan sometimes expect bridegrooms to be painted as well. In Rajasthan (north-west India), where mehndi is a very ancient folkart, the grooms are given designs that are often as elaborate as those for brides. In Kerala (south India), henna is known as mylanchi and is commonly used by the Mappila (Muslim) community during weddings and festivals.
In Arabic and Persian speaking countries, such as Morocco, 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, as well as many other reasons to simply celebrate an event.
Mehndi decorations became fashionable in the West in the late 1990s, where they are sometimes called "henna tattoos". This term isn't accurate, because tattoos are defined as permanent surgical insertion of pigments underneath the skin, as opposed to pigments resting on the

Mehndi decoration became



ehndi, just like Moroccan Henna is also a safe way to temporary tattooing, that has been practiced in the East for centuries. Just like Moroccan and Arabic Henna, there is a whole history with traditions and cultural beliefs to it's application and the symbols of it's patterns. Also since the Mehndi is a natural herbal blend it soothes and conditions the skin.
The use of Mehndi Oil is widely adapted to help the dye take.
Mehndi decoration became fashionable in the West in the 1990 after many stars started designing it on their body as a fashion statement.

ehndi, just like Moroccan Henna is also a safe



ehndi, just like Moroccan Henna is also a safe way to temporary tattooing, that has been practiced in the East for centuries. Just like Moroccan and Arabic Henna, there is a whole history with traditions and cultural beliefs to it's application and the symbols of it's patterns. Also since the Mehndi is a natural herbal blend it soothes and conditions the skin.
The use of Mehndi Oil is widely adapted to help the dye take.
Mehndi decoration became fashionable in the West in the 1990 after many stars started designing it on their body as a fashion statement.

Wedding is an elaborate affair in



Wedding is an elaborate affair in India, comprising of a large number of rituals, customs and traditions. One of the important rituals, especially in context of the bride, comprises of 'Mehndi' (commonly known as henna). As a part of this ritual, the powder of henna leaves is mixed with water (and many-a-times, oil and lemon juice as well), to form a paste. This paste is then applied on the hands as well as the feet of the bride, in the form of intricate patterns. The henna is removed only after the design dries off completely. However, the bride cannot wash her hands and feet with water, for the next 12 hours at least, to mak

Mehndi or Henna, applied on




Mehndi or Henna, applied on the hands or feet of females, is quite popular in India. Out of the various types of mehndi available in India, the mehndi of Rajasthan is one of the most popular. Mehndi is prepared by grinding the dry henna leaves into a very fine powder and then making a paste with water. This paste is then applied on the hands and feet of females in the form of beautiful designs, with the help of matchsticks or cones. After the mehndi gets dry, it is removed revealing the beautiful designs on the skin in red color. 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), rious types of mehndi available in India, the mehndi of Rajasthan is one of the most popular.

Mehendi has been part of wedding



actice of Mehendi has been part of wedding ceremonies for hundreds of years. The word Mehendi, technically the name of a small tropical shrub, refers to the practice of decorating the bride's hands with reddish dye that is made from leaves of this plant. Traditionally, the bridesmaids gather before the wedding and apply Mehendi to the bride. This takes hours and gives them a chance to have quality "girl talk" before the wedding. The reddish/brown color of the dye symbolizes the prosperity that the bride will bring her new family, and it is often thought that the darker the color, the more the bride's mother-in-law will love her. As if that's not enough to convince her to go dark, she is also not expected to do any housework until the dye wears off. Darker is indeed better! The practice of using henna to dye the hands is a widespread nuptial tradition. In

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Mehendi was our family




Mehendi was our family business. We are the wholeseller for Mehendi in Mumbai, India and we used to supply Mehendi for hair and hand. Most of the Salon's in Mumbai are our customers. The business in Mumbai was started in the late 80's known as "LATA MEHENDI" in Bandra, Mumbai. It was named after our el

Mehndi application is not bound to




Mehndi application is not bound to any particular occasion. It makes special moments of your life more beautiful and remarkable.
Whether it be your 16th or the 61st birthday , whether it be your 1st or the 50th wedding anniversary getting mehendi done on your special day will make it more memorable and may even take you down memory lane.
Whether it be your engagement, Karwa chauth or Valentine’s Day, get Fatma to hide your beloved’s name in your mehendi.
Whether it is your business promotion party or your success celebration make it linger on the minds of your guest, days after the event, by provid

brilliant observance rate in India. Married w



brilliant observance rate in India. Married women, who seeking the welfare and prosperity of their husbands undertake the fast of Karwa Chauth.
Karwa chauth is generally celebrated in North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi, Gujarat and many others, with strict fast. Married women keep a strict fast and without taking even a drop of water. It is the most important as well as difficult observed by married Hindu women because it begins prior of sunrise and ends only after

Mehndi) or Henna (made of the plant Henna,




I got this picture in a rural fair. Vendors sat on the ground with Mehendi (Mehandi or better spelt Mehndi) or Henna (made of the plant Henna, Lawsonia Inermis ) with ready-made block of designs. A very small girl got attracted to it and coaxed her poor father to getting her small palm colored with Mehendi. The man very rapidly did this. But when I told him that I wanted to take a photo, he extended the Women in Pakistan are mostly really cynical as beautifying themselves may classify them as vain and draw the interest of unfavorable care and that much castigation for the religious heads and male family members. Women are necessary to be subservient to the male in Pakistan society, according to the interpretation of the Islamic religion. Nonetheless, a few liberties are allowed to women when it is finished in the purpose of furnishing themselvll the things above were created in order to make your 'tattoo journey' as fun and pleasant as possible and maximize your chances of getting that dream tattoo you'll love for the rest of your lifees additional presentable to this husbands – as a assignment ofdesigns beyond the palm and the g

Eid, mehndi and bangles are pertinent for beautiful and




y designs and wonderful lines are mehndi designs such a are popular for Eid and wedding celebrations.
Eid, mehndi and bangles are pertinent for beautiful and wonderful living. Eid is known to thank Allah for the blessings overly properties be given and is planning to keep to receive. Mehndi and bangles beautify women in presently drastic festivity.
You can foresee several mehndi designs on the internet. You can schedule mehndi designing days before Eid. If you look for to be beautiful in drastic incidences in your livlihood covet Eid, Wedding and any a good deal more necessary events, you can suffer Mehndi and use bangles to compliment your Eid dress.
Eid, mehndi and bangles are critical for Muslim women. Because properties are forbidden to wear revealing clothes, utilizing mehndi and bangles ensures them such a properties may be beautiful for Eid and any more and more substantial events.
Just want in preparing for your Eid dress, you can buy or lead your own mehndi design in your hands or feet. Bangles may be drew up as well, depending on your interest, you can regularly prepare for Eid providing mehndi tattoo and bangles to beautify you through va

Women in Pakistan are mostly



Mehndi body art has been practiced for centuries

Mehndi body art has been practiced for centuries in the Middle East, India and in some parts of Africa. Though generally mehndi is thought of as a woman’s forte, men in all the countries have practiced it as well. Mehndi is the art of creating designs on the skin using henna paste. These designs can be applied in different parts of the body. Traditionally mehndi is applied on the hands and feet. Today as mehndi has become popular in the West mehndi is applied on the upper arms, back, around the belly button and on the hands anthe Middle East, India and in some parts of Africa. Though generally mehndi is thought of as a woman’s forte, men in all the countries have practiced it as well. Mehndi is the art of creating designs on the skin using henna paste. These designs can be applied in different parts of the body. Traditionally mehndi is applied on the hands and feet. Today as mehndi has become popular in the West mehndi is applied on the upper arms, back, around the belly button and on the hands an

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

upper layer of the skin and therefore painful and



nna or mehndi is not a tattoo which is made with a needle to bring the color pigments beneath the upper layer of the skin and therefore painful and permanent.
To draw such fine lines the finely grounded laeves of the henna shrub is in a first step well sifted, than mixed with warm water. After several hours of let sit the paste the strained paste is filled in a cone or syringue to lay very thin and delicate strings on the skin, which will stain the skin red. THlS DOESN'T HURT AT During the events leading to the actual wedding days before the ladies/girls spend an evening having henna put on. For the bride the mehndi (henna) day is very important. The bride usually has an eleborate designs on both hands and feet and and the friends Mehndi night by raj tailor.
During the events leading to the actual wedding days before the ladies/girls spend an evening having henna put on. For the bride the mehndi (henna) day is very important. The bride usually has an eleborate designs on both hands and feet and and the friends and family can choose to have simpler designs put oand family can choose to have simpler designs put oLL, but you have to be careful not to smudge the henna anv

or mehndi is not a tattoo which is made with

nna or mehndi is not a tattoo which is made with a needle to bring the color pigments beneath the upper layer of the skin and therefore painful and permanent.
To draw such fine lines the finely grounded laeves of the henna shrub is in a first step well sifted, than mixed with warm water. After several hours of let sit the paste the strained paste is filled in a cone or syringue to lay very thin and delicate strings on the skin, which will stain the skin red. THlS DOESN'T HURT AT ALL, but you have to be careful not to smudge the henna an

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

autifully embellished glass bangles,


autifully embellished glass bangles, Lollywood style bangles embedded with beads, ribbons and jhumkas. These fabulous bangles are handcrafted to add glamour to our outfit! Available in various sizes and colours!
This is a set of Thirty bangles (12 Maroon and 11 gold colored glass bangles) and Three Karas decorated with ribbons and beads which have jingling metal tussleshese beautifully handcrafted bangles are made with glass which has been gold plated. This is a set of Thirty bangles and Two metal bangles which have jingling metal tussles.
Whether you are looking for an inexpensive gift or a cheap way to accessorize, these bangle bracelets from Pakistan are what you want. They are the perfect accent to nearly any outfit.
These bangle bracelets are made in Pakistan ...

Mehndi. If there are a large number



Bride's family usually hosts and pays for this event. They may wish to hire a professional to apply the Mehndi. If there are a large number of guests, it is a good idea to have more than one person applying the mehndi. As well, the bride's family may wish to prepare or cater a few dishes or snacks for the guests, to choose some music or entertainment and to have ready gifts or trinkets to hand out at the end of the evening.

Mehndi party is held the night


Mehndi party is held the night before the wedding. Traditionally, it is held in the home of the bride and only includes women from the bride's side. It is a fun and relaxing evening for the bride to spend with her closest friends and relatives. The evening is spent applying mehndi (henna) designs to the bride's hands, feet and anywhere else! Friends and family may also have some mehndi. While applications are being done their may be music, dance and other entertainment for the

the design more calm is the person



e above “Open Palms” mehendi design looks very impressive. A great snap of a very cool design.The brownish black designs stands out very beautifully. Its often said that more darker is the design more calm is the person. A very pretty desi

when adorned with jewellery, spectacular


age, under the shade of a yellow/green scarf which is held up by 6 female relatives, cousins or sisters . She is usually without make up and/or cosmetics and jewellery – a real plain Jane. This is purposely done making her appearance on the wedding day when adorned with jewellery, spectacular make up, henna-ed hands,age, under the shade of a yellow/green scarf which is held up by 6 female relatives, cousins or sisters . She is usually without make up and/or cosmetics and – a real plain Jane. This is purposely done making her appearance on the wedding day when adorned with jewellery, spectacular make up, henna-ed hands,age, under the shade of a yellow/green scarf which is held up by 6 female relatives, cousins or sisters . She is usually without make up and/or cosmetics and jewellery – a real plain Jane. This is purposely done making her appearance on the wedding day when adorned with jewellery, spectacular make up, henna-ed hands,

Mehndi or Henna itself is eco-friendly. It


ehendi or “Gorintaku ” as it is called in telugu plays a very important part for the bride in the Indian weddings. The bride-to-be gets her hands and feet decorated with henna ( mehndi). Young girls and ladies too have Mehndi put on their hands as a symbol of joy, participation and happiness.
Mehndi or Henna itself is eco-friendly. It is a natural tattoo paste, made from the roots of the Henna plant. Green Mehndi is ground to a fine paste. Mehndi is symbolically an important part of the Indian wedding. As Mehndi changes its colour from green to orange-red after application, so does a bride flower into her womanhood after marriage.
It is also said that the darker a bride’s mehendi becomes, the more her husband-to-be loves her. Now how much of this myth is a fact is yet to be decided. This function wherein all the ladies apply mehendi to their hands and have fun by singing and dancing along is called “Sangeet” in North India. Though it is not a traditional function in Andhra Pradesh, I have included it in my wedding to have more fun. There will be antakshari, singing, dancing and loads of fun. So this is the place to be if you looking to have som

Monday, November 23, 2009

Indian wedding is not complete


utiful Hands, Beautiful Mehandi designs for Girls, Latest Mehandi designs for Beautiful Girlgs. Indian wedding is not complete without the tradition of strong mahndi ceremony on the occasion of wedding.It is temporary application form of Skin decoration at the time of many festival like Rakhi,Karwa chauth wedding and festival become a fashionabl

Makes your wonder about

]. They will surely be delighted with your work. Taking so many wedding portraits as you do, don't you sometime wonder about the couples who come your way? I'd think: that is a lovely couple or that is an odd couple! Or, that girl is too good for that man or vice verse! Makes your wonder about

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A wedding in Pakistan is good display of customs and traditions. mehndi is the first day of this ceremony, bride wears yellow and green. Songs and dance is the main thing for this day.
"Rasm e Henna" takes place a day before the wedding
It's a ceremony mainly for women. The mehndi (Henna) day is very important for the bride, girls apply mehndi on her hands and feet, sometimes groom's name is written in designs.

design of bankles


My Girl star Anna Chomsky embraced her husband-to-be s heritage by giving fancy chopsticks with the Chinese symbol for longevity printed on them. We also love the idea of couples with Indian heritage giving all the female guests colorful bangles tied with a ribbon. Or New Yorkers embracing their hometown, with candy apples.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

hen my friend Ramya got married

Mehndi is a subcontinent and Islamic tradition as well. Mehndi is one traditional trend that manages to stay in fashion. Mehndi designs have fast gained popularity in the west too since it is a lot like hand painting and tattooing.
Mehndi takes a whole new meaning during celebrations especially the tradional celebrations like weddings and Eid.
Beauty parlors have special mehndi packages these days. Mehndi designs have taken a whole new meaning. Mehndi designs can be simple yet elegant; mehndi designs can be elaborate floral patterns or mehndi designs can be Mughal art patterns. Mehndi designs can be based on using personal good luck symbols too.
Mehndi is associated to luck too; a good dark mehndi design is a sign of good luck. It is common for the names of the bride and groom to be hidden in the mehndi design.
On Eid mehndi takes a whole new meaning as it’s also a ‘sunnah’. For Muslims that gives mehndi a whole new religious zeal too. On Eid night women get special mehndi designs made. From brides' hands, to being used to make tattoos on arms and bellies, mehndi is diverse with versatile mehndi designs now.
This Eid don’t let your mehndi design be the same boring pattern. Make yo




y friend Ramya got married a few years ago, the bridesmaids (one of them being me) threw her a mehndi party. And since one of my favorite things to do is design cards, I did the invitations to the party. Here's how they turned

1st, apply Eyeko Touch & Go Concealer1st, apply Eyeko Touch & Go Concealer



ant to get Korean celebrity flawless but simple makeup?
1st, apply Eyeko Touch & Go Concealer to cover redness and eyebags, blend using fingertips, then mix your foundation with Eyeko Cream and apply to your face then use Touch & Glow on your eyebrow bone and use Eyeko Mascara to make your eyes more 'alive' and use soft colors from Eyeko Eyeshadow and last but not least, apply Eyeko

nna paste is usually applied to the skin using a

the application of henna (Hindustani: हेना- حنا- urdu) as a temporary form of skin decoration, most popular in South Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Somaliland as well as expatriate communities from these areas. It is typically employed for special occasions, particularly weddings. It is usually drawn on the hands and feet, where the color will be darkest because the skin contains higher levels of keratin, with which the colorant of henna, lawsone, enters a permanent bind.

Henna paste is usually applied to the skin using a plastic cone or a paint brush, but sometimes a small metal-tipped jacquard bottle used for silk painting (a jac bottle) is used. The painted area is then wrapped with tissue, plastic, or medical tape to lock in body heat, creating a more intense color on the skin. The wrap is worn overnight and then removed. The final color is reddish brown and can last anywhere from two weeks to several months depending on the quality of the paste.
The patterns of mehndi are typically quite intricate and predominantly applied to brides before wedding ceremonies. However, traditions in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sudan sometimes expect bridegrooms to be painted as well. In Rajasthan (north-west India), where mehndi is a very ancient folkart, the grooms are given designs that are often as elaborate as those for brides. In Kerala (south India), henna is known as mylanchi and is commonly used by the Mappila community during weddings and festivals.
In Arabic an Persian speaking countries, such as Morocco, it is done for any special occasion. It is done during the se

Henna or mehndi is not a tattoo


Henna or mehndi is not a tattoo which is made with a needle to bring the color pigments beneath the upper layer of the skin and therefore painful and permanent.To draw such fine lines the finely grounded laeves of the henna shrub is in a first step well sifted, than mixed with warm water. After several hours of let sit the paste the strained paste is filled in a cone or syringue to lay very thin and delicate strings on the skin, which will stain the skin red. THlS but you have to be careful not to smudge the henna and also very patient, because henna needs between 6 to 8 hours to develop a color.
This picuture shows the mehndi after painting the henna on the hand. For that the henna rest moistened for several hours it is sealed with a coat of sugar water.The patterns I do, are derived from the henna and khidab artwork I saw in Yemen two years ago. They are also known as gulf style or Khalidji. (Khalidj means in Arabic Gulf)

Thursday, November 19, 2009

term refers to the powder and p




term refers to the powder and paste, the design on the skin, as well as the party or ceremony. It originated in Egypt and in Middle Eastern countries during ancient times and it slowly spread to India and other hot climates like Malaysia, Persia, Syria, Moro

wearing mehndi. Madonna created

rities to be seen wearing mehndi. Madonna created quite a stir at the MTV awards function, when she turned up with mehndi all over her body. The adoption of mehndi magic by Western models, musicians, and movie stars (including Naomi Campbell and Drew Barrymore) has led to mehndi tattoos becoming a white-hot fashion trend. Now it is not just hands and feet that are adorned, but also the arms, neck, back and navel. The magic is no longer confined to just women - men sport mehndi tattoos too. The traditional reddish-brown color has been enhanced by a variety of shades (contrasts of black, red and maroon) and glitters (highlights of gold, silver or copper). Best of all, no longer is mehndi reserved for occasions like weddings

has little money wears her m



ddings, festivals and other occasions. A bride whose family has little money wears her mehndi in place of ornate gold jewellery. A bride is not expected to perform any housework until her wedding mehndi has faded. A mehndi party is held at the home of the bride the night before the wedding and only women from the bride's side get to attend. The evening is spent applying mehndi designs to the bride's hands and feet (and anywhere el
Indian mehndi designs use reddish-brown mehndi and fine lines, lacy or floral patterns as opposed to the large, floral patterns of Arabic designs, and large, bold geometrically-patterned black henna angles of African mehndi art. They often incorporate the peacock (India's national bird), the lotus flower (India's national flower), and an

twigs of the henna plant are g



d twigs of the henna plant are ground into a fine powder, then mixed with hot water. This paste is traced in a design on the desired body part in much the same way as lettering is traced on a cake with an icing cone. A solution of lemon juice and sugar is applied to the drying mehndi to "set it" and bring out its lustrous texture. The dried paste is scraped off, leaving behind a reddish-brown stain or temporary tattoo. The color and longevity of this tattoo will depend on how long you leave the paste on the skin (the longer you leave the paste on the darker the stain). For best results (the tattoo lasts for as long as three weeks), let the mehndi dry for 7 to 10 hours. Different shades can be obtained by mixing in various things like indigo, tea, coffee, cloves, tamarind, lemon, sugar, and various oils. For convenience, mehndi is readily available as packs or cones, and designd twigs of the henna plant are ground into a fine powder, then mixed with hot water. This paste is traced in a design on the desired body part in much the same way as lettering is traced on a cake with an icing cone. A solution of lemon juice and sugar is applied to the drying mehndi to "set it" and bring out its lustrous texture. The dried paste is scraped off, leaving behind a reddish-brown stain or temporary tattoo. The color and longevity of this tattoo will depend on how long you leave the paste on the skin (the longer you leave the paste on the darker the stain). For best results (the tattoo lasts for as long as three weeks), let the mehndi dry for 7 to 10 hours. Different shades can be obtained by mixing in various things like indigo, tea, coffee, cloves, tamarind, lemon, sugar, and various oils. For convenience, mehndi is readily available as packs or cones, and design

tradition and a modern craze.




erced. It's completely natural and non-toxic. It's fun, exotic, beautiful, and as simple or complicated as you want it to be. It can last for a couple of days or as long as a month. It's a 5000 year old tradition and a modern craze. It was used by our grandmothers and their grandmothers and their grandmothers ... but our daughters and granddaughters also think it's "cool". It goes by the name of mehndi, and it's the ancient Indian art of adorning the h