Mehndi Party

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Saturday morning, 12-24

Last night we (Ruth, Angela, and I) went to the Mehndi (pronounced Mindy) party at Prasanna’s home. Mehndi is the art of painting a woman’s hands and sometimes feet with intricate designs using a henna mixture. It’s sometimes (but not always) done for important occasions such as marriages. Prasanna says that it’s not really a tradition in her family but Ruth wanted to have it so Prasanna graciously (as always) set it up for her.

While the henna is being painted on (one woman at a time) the others were laughing, singing, dancing and having a good time. There were family members, neighbors and other friends, and I have to say that I felt right at home in the midst of it all. One unfortunate thing for me is that I wore a long skirt that was rather full and the two ceiling fans that are in the living room played havoc with it, puffing it up like a balloon and threatening to blow it up over my head. Apparently my dilemma was good entertainment for the others though, and it was all good fun. Our final solution to the fly away skirt was to tie a couple knots in the bottom of it and that was even more entertaining than the balloon effect. We all had a lot of good laughs over it. Next time I will wear something else though. So much for my resolution to be "dignified"....

Praveen and the guys went out, as I guess is also the custom, like a bachelor party, although Santhana and Mohen Mamma lagged behind. Mohen Mamma is Prasanna’s brother and the father of twin toddlers so his “excuse” was that he was taking charge of the boys. As for Santhana, I think he just knew where the fun would be. At least it seemed that way when he made his way to the center of the dancing women….

Praveen and a few of his friends showed up around midnight or so…..He seemed a little surprised to see how much fun we were having…. And maybe a little surprised to see his mom and dad out dancing with the rest of us. I’m thinking the girl party was really the place to be.

After the henna is applied, you have to be very careful not to touch or smear it until it dries into a hard crusty surface. Then lime juice is squeezed on it to re-wet it and intensify the color and it must dry again. This is done twice. The total drying time can be a couple hours or so during which you cannot even scratch if you develop an itch…which of course is what happens right off. No, the henna doesn’t itch, but all of a sudden when you cannot use your hands, everything else does! …If you are thirsty or hungry, someone feeds you and holds the cup to your mouth…. It’s a bit of a helpless feeling to lose the use of your hands even for a short time. BUT it’s fun too because you are not alone….

After the henna begins to flake off it can be left to flake naturally or helped along a bit. Then coconut oil is applied and the process is almost done….all but the waiting. You are not to let water touch it for about 24 hours if you want it to intensify in color and to last a long time. That means wrapping your hands in plastic to bathe.

Anyhow, I should still have some nice henna designs still on my hands when I return home in early January. When we were in Bangalore I bought some of the henna and a little book showing some of the designs….. Maybe I’ll start a new fad in Fulton, MO? Okay, probably not, but I think I have some friends who need to experience this…. Hey, Red Hatties…????

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Photos

Ruth & Sandhya
Ruth & Praveen's sister, Sandhya (pronounced SUN-de-ah). By this time Ruth had the henna on both feet and one hand. The hands are done in phases, first the palms, then the tops.

Ruth's Foot
This was the first foot to be done. This process takes quite awhile for the intricate design that you see here. This foot is only partially done, maybe about half of it.

Angela's Hands
This is while the henna mixture is drying. When after it flakes off it becomes more of a dark orange color.

Mehndi Drying
Some of the girls have had one side of their hand done and wait for the other side.

Mehndi Drying
Yes, those are Ruth's feet. She's the only one with "pretty feet".

Ruth Gets Limed
Gowri, one of many new cousins, applies the lime juice to Ruth's hand while the other is being painted.

Cousin Jayanthi With "Our Gang"
Ruth, Cousin Jayanthi (Jane-TEE), me and Angela. Ruth finally was able to get up off the couch and on her feet again but there would still be drying time which is why you see her (and others) with their hands ackwardly in the air.

Dancing??
Ruth and Angela kick it up. Carefully. Those white girls have their own dance routine.

Santhana "kicks it up"
Santana seemed to be enjoying the girl party as much as us girls.... or more maybe. That is Mohen, Prasanna's brother on the left in the back and Prasanna is on the right in the back.

A Good Time
Yes, Santhana is having a VERY good time.

Mohen Joins In
Mohen joins the dance....

Sisters
Our new Cousins, Jayanthi and Jayshree are sisters. Neither of their husbands were able to be there that night so we formed the "single married women's club". Today Jayshree's husband is arriving so I guess we have to toss her out..... (she will no longer qualify for membership) I had a blast with these two! Among other things, they helped me keep my fly away skirt under control...or rather, they laughed at me while I tried to keep it under control.

Comments

[Lori Johnson]

How Wonderful
God I miss you !!! Everyone in the photos look so happy. I am glad for you and glad that Ruth found a true love....I am looking forward to the wedding photos and definately want the HENNA done when you get home...Send my love to all. Have a blessed holiday. LOVE YA