Mehndi, Beauty, and Irony

Why, hello again. I know, two entries in one day! IMPOSSIBLE! But today's experience with mehndi (henna tattoos, more commonly known) made me think a lot about my recent conceptions of what is beautiful and appealing and arresting, and those thoughts have been swimming around all day in my head. The wife of the shoestore owner, Sushna, created such incredible patterns on my forearms and hands today, they just evolved incredibly smoothly as they spread across my skin. It was really breathtaking to watch it happen, on me no less, and it was almost hypnotic. But it was definitely art in every sense of the word, and I'm planning on bringing some henna powder back home to mess around with...This is one of the perks of working with women here--I get to take part in all of these cultural, typical female matters of mehndi and threading and chai-making.

But it's also so funny (ironic even...) that I'm currently reading The Feminine Mystique, the book that literally revived the feminist movement in the 1960's by asking women (and men) why Suburbia had turned young females into submissive, domestic, housewife types. And here I am, interviewing women (funny, smart, beautiful ones...) who all are stay-at-home wives and mothers, respected by their families and friends for their ability to cook, clean, and rear children. Of course, this isn't for every single woman--but I've heard women here directly say things about each other that imply that their ability to do certain tasks well reflects their upbringing and character. And while this is true for the US as well, the role of being a homemaker is even more so defined and outlined here in this country.

When I'm in the community at Hallomajra, I can see why it's so valuable for the women to know how to do these things, to maintain their appearance and household to fit a certain standard of beauty and talent. It is what defines them. But on my way to and from Hallomajra, I'm reading about the need for women (especially in the US) to find their individuality apart from domesticity. They're extremely different, but at the same time both cultures in the US and India face this divide--one that has existed for decades and decades, and one that persists even today. It just persists stronger in some places over others--but the role of women in society is so debated in every culture, it seems. Mehndi got me thinking this because I was so enthralled by it--and I was so impressed by it. But at the same time, I think it represents the certain set of skills women are expected or encouraged to have in some societies--a set that doesn't necessarily include assertiveness, political fervor, or stereotypical male traits of power and strength. But characteristics that every person, man or woman, has a right to have if they have it, or if they want to possess it.

But aside from all that, I loved the experience. Sushna has such a warm smile that she's passed onto her daughter, and they both laugh so freely. It was another show of such generosity and hospitality--they were eager to share with me a really special aspect of their lifestyle and history and culture, and I think they enjoyed my reactions as well.

And so it begins...

Such detail!

Backside, a string of flowers.

Sushna, and her adorable daughter Ashna, after finishing.

And taken just moments ago. It took a few hours to dry, and then my arms were covered in mustard seed oil to darken the henna. It'll stay for 5-10 days.

On the topic of beauty and irony--I see incredible shots everywhere in Hallomajra, ironic since its people are so poor in comparison to other parts of the city. Poverty persists, but more often I am in awe at the energy and light and color. For every photo I take, there are probably 20 others that catch my eye, mango sellers or kids or women washing clothes, and I itch to capture it. But it's so critical to remember that this is someone's routine, someone's life...and there must be respect for that privacy. I hope I've been accomplishing that...