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What is mehndi? |
Mehendi /me-hin-de/ is the word in Hindi used to describe the ancient art using the unique characteristics of the henna plant /Lawsonia inermis/ for temporary body decoration and healing.
The dried leaves of the henna plant are crushed into a powder, then made into a paste that is applied to the body to safely dye the skin. This is done in elaborate patterns and designs, traditionally on hands and feet.
After several hours the paste is scraped off leaving an brown/reddish trace behind - lasting from several days to several weeks.
Henna paining in its purest form is largely improvisational and intuitive. Ancient symbols and motifs are subject to the whim and imagination of the artist, and great emphasis is put on the singularity and originality of each interpretation.
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