Traditionally, no Indian wedding is replete without the bride and her family applying the Mehendi. In fact, it is considered as one of the adornments that bride must have. In both south Indian as well north Indian weddings, Mehendi function has been an integral part of the ceremony.
Usually done at the late afternoons or nights, this pre-wedding ceremony is the most fascinating one as all the women are gathered under a roof to have their palms done with colourful mehendi in intricate designs. Generally, the mehendi function is attended only by close relatives and friends of the bride’s family but nowadays the quantum of this event largely depends on the bride’s family social and economic status.
The conventional practice is to apply henna on the hands and feet of the bride but this is not preferred any more. Yes, the more modern henna application by the experts has taken over the traditional methods. The types of mehendis applied these days are Rajasthani Mehndi, Arabic Mehndi, Crystal Mehndi, Tattoo Mehndi, etc.
The celebrations at the Mehendi function usually begins with the ‘Nalangu’ ceremony in which the women of the household would apply turmeric and sandal paste on the bride’s face and palms and then shower rose water before adorning the hair with flowers. Then begins the actual mehendi applying ceremony. There is no hard and fast rule as to how this mehendi function should be conducted and it depends on each individual’s ideas and tastes.
A mehendi expert is usually brought in to apply mehendi for the bride and her family. The designs are chosen by each individual with great care. With too many ideas on cards, choosing the best design can be a tedious job.
Here are some ideas that will make your mehendi function vivid:
Dance: The bride may be tense on what the future holds in store for her as wedding is an important milestone in everyone’s life. Being a pre-wedding ceremony, the mehendi function is celebrated to get the bride let her hair down and relax. And what more, it would be great with a dance performance as it is all-women night!
Karaoke: Karaoke or Antakshari will have the women sing some of the hit filmi numbers. It is a great stress buster indeed!
Games: It would be a good idea to conduct some games. Some popular games played at event are musical chair, dumb charades, mono acting, etc.
Music: Having someone play music while the women apply mehendi will certainly have them all in good spirits.
Clothes, jewels, and flowers, are a must for every wedding. Likewise, no wedding is complete without the bride having mehendi applied to her hands and feet. Being one of the age-old ritual, the mehendi function is a pre-wedding ceremony that fills the air with music and laughter.
Do check out for the right mehendi expert and have some intricate designs adorn the palms and feel of you and your loved ones. Getting in touch with Subha Mugutham Wedding Planner will ensure that it is done effortlessly.