BENGALURU, 8 APRIL

As Eid ul-Fitr is around the corner in Bengaluru, the City buzzes with anticipation, not just for the spiritual significance it holds but also for the colourful festivities that accompany it. Among these traditions, adorning hands with intricate henna designs, known as mehndi, takes centre stage.

However, this year, the demand for henna artists has surged to unprecedented levels, with many finding themselves fully booked well in advance. From traditional designs to contemporary patterns, henna artists in the City offer a spectrum of choices to suit every taste.

Reflecting on the influx of customers, Zara Khan, a henna artist near Basavanagudi told Salar News “This Ramadan has been exceptionally busy for us. We've seen a surge in bookings from clients across the City. Normally we get 15 bookings for a day, but with Ugadi and Ramadan coming up, we have more than 30 bookings for Tuesday. We are expecting more bookings to come up before Ramadan.”

While many artists are local residents who honed their skills through family traditions or independent learning, there are also growing communities of artists who hail from states like Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, known for their rich mehndi (henna) traditions.

Anika Sharma, a henna artist originally from Rajasthan and now settled near Banashankari 2nd Stage, told Salar News “I came to Bengaluru five years ago. The City offered a great platform to showcase my art. We provide temporary henna tattoos and DIY (Do It Yourself) henna kits for people who are unable to secure appointments with professional artists.” The kit includes design stencils and henna packs. The stencils are kept on the hand and the henna is traced along the design. The stencil is then taken out leaving behind a beautiful design on the hand.

In the world of mehndi, the artistry can range from simple to extravagant, reflected in the pricing. Bridal mehndi, the most intricate, starts at Rs 2,000 and custom designs begin at Rs 3,000. On the other hand, mehndi for both hands and legs costs Rs 3,000-Rs 4,000. “For festive occasions, we charge Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 respectively for basic designs. We charge the people according to the number of sides they want for their mehndi. Like for one side of the hand, we charge Rs 500-Rs 1,000 depending on the design. For more intricate designs, one side of the hand costs Rs 1,000-Rs 1500,” Khan said.

The most sought-after mehndi designs this season encompass a blend of traditional motifs and contemporary elements. Intricate floral patterns, geometric shapes, and Arabic-inspired designs top the list of preferences among clients. “Indo-Arabic and floral designs, which are in demand now, are simple, yet elegant to the hands,” Sharma said. 

Henna melas, temporary markets specialising in henna application, are another vibrant aspect of Ramadan season. These melas, often set up in community centres or public spaces, are a one-stop shop for henna enthusiasts. “The melas cater to a different clientele," Khan said. "They offer quicker, simpler designs at a low price. For those seeking elaborate artwork, booking an appointment with a professional artist is recommended." Some of the melas set up in the City can be found in Commercial Street, Basavanagudi, Banashankari and Jayanagar 3rd block.

For those who miss out on getting henna or have skin sensitivities, there are other alternatives such as Jagua gels, which are extracted from the jagua fruit and do not have any irritation on the skin. It offers a similar dark staining effect but lasts slightly less long (typically 1-2 weeks). Stick-on Henna tattoos are also an option for them. —Salar News