Mehndi- the vibrant Color of Life
The Henna is called so in Muslim nations or as Mehndi in Asia. It is
called as Lawsonia inermis in Latin. It is the plant grown and made use
of extensively in the Arab nations, Africa and in India commonly for
cosmetic purposes because it is regarded to be extremely auspicious. The
Mehndi is used as a therapeutic plant in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine
with exceptional results.
The citation of the use of mehndi can be initiated as long as 1600 BC
until it was established that there used to be a custom with the
Egyptians to get the Pharaoh’s hands as well as the hair dyed with
mehndi prior to mummification.
 Designs of Mehndi
There are numerous ways to create patterns of mehndi desiogns.
Certain people apply it in the form of circles that are completely
covered with mehndi on the feet as well as hands. Furthermore each
finger is layered up to the first curve which includes the nail.
During marriages and other merriments, the mehndi is used in elaborate
designs that are made with very fine lines using a cone of mehndi. These
designs are almost always in the outline of symbols and at times it also
includes figurines that represent marriages and the marriage ceremony.
Preparation of Mehndi
The mehndi is arranged in a specific way. A cup of mehndi leaves has
to be taken and ground into a smooth paste. Add the extract of half
piece of lemon, a little eucalyptus oil and the paste of cloves (5 pods
will suffice) to this paste. Now add about two tablespoons full of
coffee. Mix everything completely in the same direction. Move the
mixture to a cone made from butter paper, make a small incision at the
tip and use it.
 Application of mehndi
While applying the mehndi design, it is essential that the part has
to be cleaned with soap and water. Avoid oily soaps as this would make
the color fade easily as it would not set on oily areas. The mehndi
should always be scraped off. It should never be washed off.
Care after application
Do not expose the area to water for a minimum time of 24 hours to
obtain the best color from the mehndi. Keep applying the lemon-sugar
solution. When the mehndi dries, you can pass the steam of cloves over
the area where the design has been made. This would help in making the
color last for long.
After applying it, you would be required to keep the part moistened
for some time. A mixture of lemon juice and sugar must be applied to it.
After three hours, the mehndi would become dry. You can then, remove it.
Care should be taken to see that the part where mehndi had been
applied does not come into contact with water frequently. Only then, the
color of the mehndi will be dark and thus stay for at least two weeks.
 Different styles of mehndi designs in the world
North African Style The inhabitants of desert or hilly areas
make bold geometric designs with complicated points and the curvy lines
on their mehndi design.
Indian Style
The design of Mehndi of India and Pakistan are birds and tropical
plants that exist in their regions.
Arabian Style
The inhabitants of Arabia appreciate decorations incorporating
grapes, scrolls as well as flowers. In the North African custom, the
supporters of Islamic religion as a rule do not paint the figurative art
of animals or community.
Contemporary style
Today, the spectacle of the art of mehndi designs, as body art has
propelled around the world. The designs are, now a blend of impressions
that tie the past with the future.
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