Indian
brides have always been adorned as lavishly as a family’s means could
arrange. Colorful saris with golden threads, thick with embroidery,
jewelery, lavish hair styles, and cosmetics announce to the community
the means and status of the bride. Prior to the 19th century, Hindu
brides were adorned with turmeric, lac, and kumkum. Muslim brides had
henna, and a night of the henna. These traditions gradually merged and
fused, and energized each other through the late 20th century.
Recently,
the bridal henna industry in India has recently expanded into other
types of colorful body adornment, using glitter, gilt, and colored
cosmetics and paste, reflecting current clothing styles and tastes.
There are presently dozens of styles and techniques in India that go far
beyond henna, into the genre of theatrical cosmetics adapted for
henna. These cosmetics do not stain the skin as henna does, they are
various kinds of waterproof body paints formulated so they can be
applied in henna techniques. These colorful body paints are
particularly popular with brides who undergo many clothing changes
through their bridal parties, and who want to be able to change their
body art to match each change!
hi
ReplyDelete