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Solah Shringar
The 16 arts of Beautification
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7 - Kajal (Collyrium)
Eyes are an incomparable gift of nature and it is our duty to safeguard their beauty as well as wellbeing. Kajal keeps the eyes free of disease and enhances their beauty.
Eyes darkened with kajal make the face appear uniquely Indian; in an Indian bride eyes without kajal would make the face appear rather dull and devoid of radiance.
The traditional method of making kajal was to light lamps with oil in them. The soot collected on the lamp stand was called kajal. Absolutely pure and inexpensive lampblack become a popular embellishment for the eyes. Nowadays eye make-up such as eye liners and "mascara" have taken the place of kajal.
8 - Bindi (Ornamental mark on the forehead)
Of all the sixteen arts of beauty, the use of bindiya is perhaps the eldests. Besides enhancing the beauty of a woman's face, it is also said to have a scientific purpose. A bindi is to be applied on a spot lying midway between the eyebrows, leaving space for a grain of barley. This point on the forehead is connected to our pituitary gland. Hence the function of the bindiya is same as that of a computer chip. Just as a chip runs a computer, the brain is activated by the bindiya and is kept under control.
Kumkum, which is traditionally used as the bindi, is made by mixing turmeric, lime and borax which produced a natural red color. It is said that the importance of the bindi is due to the red colour itself (If anytime you should feel depressed then press the bindiya point you will experience sufficient relief.)
These days, however, these truths have come to be secondary importance and bindis made of various designs and shades have come into vogue. These do embellish the beauty but they do not produce the same effect which is inherent in our traditional Kumkum.
9 - Mole on the chin
Creating a mole on the chin with kajal (collyrium) beside adding grace to beauty is also considered a charm to ward off evil eyes (spirits)
10 - Fragrance
"The unfinished poem of fragrance
became complete upon seeing you.
The deer like mind seeks you
ever since you became like musk."
The deer too gets intoxicated on getting the scent of musk, a person is after all human...
Fragrance or perfume occupies the same importance in a brides embellishment as the wind does in nature. In ancient times the bride was bathed days before her wedding in water infused with sandalwood, rose, camphor, saffron and such fragrant medicinal herbs. Camphor, cardarmom and aawala were also used to wash the bride's hair. With the use of these, the body and hair both became fragrant with a natural perfume whose fragrance lingered for long after.
Perfume also has a psychological effect on our body. These days, however, natural has given way to artificial and the market is full of different varieties of synthetic perfumes.
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