Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

Bindi as a hip accessory

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

or a big eye-catching round mark made on the forehead as adornment. Nowadays,

with changing fashion, women try out all sorts of shapes and designs. It is, at

times a straight vertical line or an oval, a triangle or miniature artistry

('alpana') made with a fine-tipped stick, dusted with gold and silver powder,

studded with beads and crusted with glittering stones. The advent of the

"sticker-bindi", made of felt with glue on one side, has not only added colors,

shapes and sizes to the bindi but is an ingenious easy-to-use alternative to the

powder. Today, bindi is more of a fashion statement than anything else, and the

number of young performers sporting bindis is overwhelming even - in the West.

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. 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 and 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.

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.

You will create a stunning modern bindi to adorn you and leave onlooker's

speechless!

Shopping Find Great Deals on Holiday Gifts at Shopping

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...