Since time immemorial, henna, better known as mehndi in the subcontinent, has held the fascination of women in not only our part of the world but also in the Middle East and North Africa. In the West, however, it became a source of inspiration only a few years back, when it was espoused as a temporary, not to mention less hazardous and painful, alternative to tattooing. Subsequently it took on a new significance in the hands of non-traditional artists. In recent times, one has seen henna patterns, usually applied on the hands and feet, find their way to Madonna’s face.
Not surprisingly then, henna has quite a substantial presence on the web. Sites selling henna kits, gloves to wear while applying the paste, and other materials target the uninitiated, taking advantage of their ignorance and curiosity to make money from what is still regarded in the West as an exotic plant. However, the Internet also offers sites that address the needs of those who are no strangers to henna and apply designs in commemoration of events like weddings, Eid, Basant, etc., enhancing their knowledge rather than pulling the wool over their eyes, so to speak.
Since most of us in this country belong to the latter category, a good place to learn more about henna would be http://u.presstelegram.com/Stories/0,1413,218%257E24600%257E829877,00.html. This article, posted on what is primarily a fashion and lifestyle web site, describes the history of the plant, the designs used by different cultures, which patterns are best suited to which hand-types and why. If you wish to view some of the designs that are discussed in the article, satisfy your curiosity by visiting http://www.sphosting.com/alissa/galleryindex.html. This page showcases a variety of fine examples of traditional Moroccan and Persian, as well as Indian bridal henna patterns besides a number of tribal and contemporary designs. You can also view the work of some well-known artists who have decorated henna-loving Hollywood stars. Text accompanies the photographs shown, explaining the background and significance of the symbols employed in some of the patterns, as well as describing the application process. Unfortunately, in some places the photographs, which are very large, block passages of the text.
A handy address for those who want to know which designs are most appropriate for which body part is http://www.rupalpinto.com/mehndi/mehndi.html. Created by a former henna artist, it is a member of two web-rings, and advocates a ‘do-it-yourself’ approach. Under the ‘Sample designs’ link on this page, one can find drawings of designs categorized according to the part of the body (such as the hand, arm, wrist, or neck) for which they were created. One can also find popular motifs like mandalas and peacocks and the different ways they can be stylized and presented, besides a variety of other patterns.
The ‘Art gallery’ link, that contains close-up photographs of designs, offers yet more choices for the hand and foot. The web page also recommends books on henna (available on web) along with a brief review and description of each. Books are listed by theme; there are suggested titles to suit the need of virtually anyone who has mehndi on her mind. For those who do not know where to get their mehndi from, there is a directory containing the names and contact information of henna suppliers worldwide (including Karachi). There are also links to other mehndi web pages and sites and a guest book where one can read or post comments and get in touch with other visitors to the page.
Some practical instructions on the preparation of henna paste and its application can be availed at http://www.aryawat.com/mehendi. While there are many sites that give paste recipes and instructions on how to make applicator cones, this web page has made the process easier to follow. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied with photographs, which are conspicuously missing from other web pages. Vital information, such as why henna is usually applied on the hands and feet rather than the arms or shoulders, is also available here. Detailed directions on how to ensure that the design comes out as dark as possible, as well as wrapping, a procedure followed by the Tuareg, a desert people of North Africa, for the same purpose, give this web page an edge over the rest.
If you imagined that henna is completely safe to use, http://www.angelfire.com/ak/anakee/mehndi3.html will make you think otherwise. While some of the best henna in the world is grown in Pakistan, it does get contaminated, and thus causes serious medical problems, such as blood poisoning, among its users. This page, with the help of links to related pages, explains why black henna products, even those that do not contain para-phenylenediamine or PPD, should be avoided at all costs. Even stale henna is unsafe. Once you have been convinced of the dangers of using henna that is not 100 per cent pure, you can sign the ‘Pure henna petition’, which urges henna growers, manufacturers, and exporters to keep their products free of chemicals.
Since the only way you can ensure that you are using pure henna is by growing it yourself, you will need some tips on cultivating the plant. These can be accessed via http://www.geocities.com/how2growhenna. This web page furnishes most of the information needed to choose and buy the dye-producing variety of henna, and also tells how much water and sunlight the plant requires, as well as what to do in the event that insect pests attack it. However, there are no instructions as to how the plant’s leaves can be ground into powder that can be sieved into a form of usable henna; apparently, home preparation of henna has not reached the stage where it can rival its industrial production.
If, after all this, you have been discouraged from having much to do with henna in any form, pay a visit to http://www.ummah.cm/islam/taqwapalace/fitness/health2.html. On this page, which lists the plants mentioned in the Holy Quran and the context in which they are discussed there, you will find that henna in general is held in high regard in Islam for its cleansing properties. These are dwelt upon in greater detail on http://www.clickwalla. com/article.php?cid=88&aid=950, a page posted on a web portal that targets Asians living in the UK. Besides talking about the healing qualities of henna and the talismanic origins of its patterns, the article also focuses on its ability to bring people together as a community, particularly during festivals and other special occasions.
Since time immemorial, henna, better known as mehndi in the subcontinent, has held the fascination of women in not only our part of the world but also in the Middle East and North Africa. In the West, however, it became a source of inspiration only a few years back, when it was espoused as a temporary, not to mention less hazardous and painful, alternative to tattooing. Subsequently it took on a new significance in the hands of non-traditional artists. In recent times, one has seen henna patterns, usually applied on the hands and feet, find their way to Madonna’s face.
