No syringes, no permanent scars. It has adapted itself well in terms of contemporary designs and it gets off your body before you get bored with the design. Quite interestingly, intrinsic art form of using Mehendi has come a long way in its attractive quotient and it is not surprising to find women getting enticed to this ancient decorative art form.

Though one cannot pinpoint its origin, a peep into history reveals that this art is over 5000-years-old with traces found in Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan and India.

Its origin

Mehendi or Henna is a natural extract from a plant. When applied on skin, the extract’s dye component, does not pass through into the dermis, it only stains the dead cells in the epidermis resulting in reddish to orange or brownish hue. The colour is best known to result on one’s hands and feet due to their dry properties but henna can be applied anywhere on the body. How well one’s skin takes to henna depends on an individual’s skin properties.

With time, Mehendi designs have become more funky and fashionable. It is also fascinating to note that little girls and women of all age groups, cutting across caste and class find Mehendi a unique experience each time they try the design. So what’s this attraction all about?

“I get very excited each time my mom applies Mehendi on my hands. I love the colour and that it gives me a break from all my schoolbooks!” says twelve-year-old Harshita with a mischievous smile.

Naresh Gehlot, a Mehendi artist observes: “Whether one uses it for traditional purposes or to make a fashion statement Mehendi designs are in demand in all seasons. I think it has more to do with Mehendi as an art symbolising a woman being married. It is also an art that can be customised to each one’s taste and style. Personally I can give the customer the option of fifty designs including my own innovation, which is the ‘Jaal’, design. Apart from this I have found Butta’, ‘Zardosi’ and Arabic designs to be quite popular.”

According to Leela Gaur, a young executive at a financial firm, “ It amazes me to find so many women attracted to Mehendi. Probably the designs give that happy feeling to a person and brings some excitement whenever one tries them on.”

Talking about why she likes Mehendi says Roopa Naganath, another youngster who enjoys applying Mehendi on others and herself “I have found Mehendi to act as a catalyst for one’s conversation. Whenever I apply on myself, I have my colleagues, friends and even strangers asking me if there is a special occasion. The reason could be that Mehendi is traditionally associated with marriage, well being of husband and so on.” She further adds “What’s even cool is that it is good for our skin as it has cooling properties as well.”

What began as a North Indian or Moghul custom has extended its appeal across the country. Especially the season of weddings cannot be complete in India without Mehendi ceremony at the bride or the groom’s home. However it is not just weddings that give importance to Mehendi. One finds Mehendi as a symbol used to mark the well being of the husband or a birth of a child and other festivities in a North Indian family