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Mehndi Designs: Spread and Acculturation
Mehndi designs are created using dye which is left on the skin for a day
or two to make the color last. Popular among Muslims and Indians, these
ornate designs traditionally are used as a decoration on the hands, feet
and even on the face during special occasions like weddings, engagements
and other family gatherings. In the case of Mehndi, the pigment is
applied on the surface of the skin and not underneath the skin like
tattoo. The designs are made to last but are still temporary. These
mehndi designs are very popular in India, Africa, and Asia. Although
most designs have the same delicate pattern, these patterns are still
variegated enough to create unique and stylish trends and designs for
different tastes.
 The contemporary artist is able to create a design consisting of many
different and delicate designs and pattern to make the creation unique
and personal. The skin of an individual definitely echo of individuality
once the mehndi design is applied since there are many artists who
accommodate the eccentric and unique taste of people who want to have
these deigns on their skin. Although this temporary skin decoration
started as a form of decoration for brides, there are now more and more
people having these mehndi design on their skin to make their
appearance more attractive and ornate. These temporary skin decorations
prove to be a challenge for most artists since the modern world demands
designs that are unique, traditional yet trendy and stylish. The present
generations has affected the use and the form of these designs.
The ornate designs range from very small to visibly bold and central
designs. There are many designs to choose from and people are given the
opportunity to play with the designs and experiment on new combinations
of designs to make their character stand out. These ornate designs still
follow the tradition of skin beautification but now follow a wider
spectrum of person, purpose and occasion. Some designs have become very
famous that the western world has quickly adapted the style and made it
their own. The adaptation of the local designs found in countries that
embraced this tradition has made the mehndi designs global.
 These ornate designs are applied on the back of hand, palm, finger,
wrist, arm, feet, back, and even on the stomach. The traditional areas,
hands and feet, are still very famous areas where these ornate designs
are applied. However, these temporary skin decorations have acculturated
itself to a number of style and tradition that the location of the
mehndi has been extended to other parts of the body depending on the
personality and tradition of a person. Some people who wear these ornate
designs prefer the application of mehndi on the belly, arms, hands, and
even on the lower legs to make the entire body beautifully adorned with
different designs. Although the designs have become greater in number,
the color of brown and orange have remained the favorite among
followers.
The congregation of Asians and African bearing the strong influence
of mehndi in their life, culture and tradition has made it through the
test of the strong modern movement of art and artists. These mehndi
designs have made it through the advent of technology and amalgamation
of people. These designs have even reached the skins of other people
from countries all over the world. It has become a famous work of art
known to the people of the modern world. These temporary skin
decorations have crossed the oceans and reached even the western part of
the world. Now, it is considered a very delicate and fine fashion to
wear on the skin. The more adventurous followers of this tradition are
making a strong mark on today’s fashion and style.
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