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Grahini who wants to know....... |
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The bindi
The Bindi is as old as tradition and as new as the times. Bindi is derived from the Sanskrit word bindu, which means, "drop". The original Indian Bindiya, the symbol of inner Shakti, the fabled red dot ‘Kumkum’ that women wore in the center of their forehead has now become a Fashion Statement setting a global trend. A dot of perfect purity associated with marriage and femininity, steeped in years of culture and custom. The traditional Bindi symbolises the mystic third eye of a person, which indicates good omen. The practice of wearing a Bindi is a Vedic tradition that women follow as confirmation to the spirit of womanhood. Bindi, which is also described as Sindhura or Tilaka means red. The color red is significant it represents Shakti (strength) and is also believed to symbolise love. When a bride steps over the threshold of her marital home with the red bindi on her forehead, is supposed to bode prosperity for the home she is entering. The bindi represents the woman’s married status, in most of the North Indian communities but in South India it is a custom for all women and girls to wear a bindi. Even the men wear a kumkum mark on their forehead, especially for traditional ceremonies. A Tilaka is also applied in many Indian communities as a traditional custom when welcoming guests; it is a symbol of auspiciousness, good fortune and festivity. The Bindi is an adornment that lights up your face and gives it a focal point. Bindi, on the beloved's forehead is supposed to mesmerise her lover, Poets, through ages have composed poems & songs on the beautiful Bindiya of the damsel, attracting immense attention and being the first thing that catches the admirers eye. This little dot has always received a place of importance in Indian customs; it carries with it a wealth of meaning and is an on-going link with a very ancient custom and history. In the olden days, to get a perfect circle shape, women used a hollow circular disc. Firstly a paste or Vaseline was applied on the empty space in the disc whilst held in centre of the forehead. This was then covered with kumkum the disc was removed which gave a perfect round bindi. Today, the kumkum has been largely replaced by the "sticker-bindi". Made of felt and held with glue, providing an ingenious easy-to-use substitute. The sticker-bindi comes in attractive designs and vibrant colors decorated with crystals, beads, wirework and bells; some are truly exotic creations. In India, conservative women still use the age old kumkum or sindoor for making a bindi. Asian fashion and all that is associated with Bollywood is one of the fastest growing trends worldwide. Famous celebrities and Pop Stars have further promoted this expanding phenomenon of the Bindi. Madonna was the first celebrity who gave the bindi its newfound status and set a global trend, when she wore a bindi in her album ‘Frozen’. Now you even see people like Liz Hurley and Cherie Blair adorning bindis with their exquisite Indian outfits. At sharans.com you will find a stunning range of handmade traditional and modern bindis to adorn you and leave onlooker’s speechless! For that special occasion, adorn a piece from their dazzling Designer & Bridal Bindi Collection.Visit to view their exquisite portfolio of designer and bridal bindis. Bindi is derived from the sanskrit word bindu or a drop,it is supposed to signify the mystic third eye of a person and therefore,when properly marked,becomes the central point of the base of the creation itself.It is a symbol of auspiciousness,good fortune and festivity.It denotes the woman's married status in most of the North Indian communities but in South India it is a prerogative of all girls to wear a bindi.Even the men wear kumkum mark on their forehead,especially for traditional ceremonies.The bridegroom's make-up is incomplete without the TILAK.The decked North Indian bride steps over the threshold of her married home,resplendent with the red bindi on her forehead.The red color is supposed to augur prosperity for the home she is entering.The mark makes her the preserver of the family's welfare and progeny.Conservative woman still use age old kumkum or sindoor for making a bindi.In olden days,to get a perfect round they used to use a small circular disc or a hollow pie coin.First a sticky wax paste or vaseline was applied on the empty space in the disc.This was then covered with kumkum and then the disc was removed.....and presto you had a perfect round bindi. Today a fashion conscious girl has a wide variety to chose from. There are bindis of various colors and design,sequinned,dusted with gold powder,studded with beads and glittering stones and in different sizes.While buying these types of stick on bindis one has to be careful so as not to buy unknown brands as this may lead to various skin irritations and ailments like fungus and rash.If this ever occurs it is better to get treated by a doctor or else it could possibly leave an ugly mark on the forehead. The shinning bindi on the beloved's forehead is supposed to mesmerise her lover.Poets,through ages have composed couplets on the beautiful bindiya of the damsel.Bindis still do attract a lot of attention as it is the first thing that catches our eye . This little dot has always received a place of importance in Indian customs.Before, a Kshatriya queen used to apply this tilak on her husband's forehead to bring him luck in the battle-field or used it to welcome him back home. In modern times too we use the same custom to welcome our guests- like for example MICHEAL JACKSON and all of our aspiring Miss World's were welcomed with the applying of the tilak.
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