Rasm-e-Mehndi

The Rasm-e-Mehndi is all about celebration. Many will be surprised to know how common this custom is through-out the world. Middle Eastern brides and North African and Indian, whether Jewish Christian Muslim Jain or Sikh are showered with a Mehndi Party (Henna) a few days before the wedding. The only difference I have noticed is that the designs made with the Henna (Mehndi) varies greatly from culture to culture.

In some Jewish circles, a cloth is used as a motif and the henna is applied on it, and family members are encouraged to bring different motifs with some emotional significance.

In India, each artist will go to elaborate lengths to draw finely drawn original designs on the arms and legs of the Bride. With special attention given to the hands and feet because whereas the forearm or the legs may be hidden by garments, the hands and feet of the Bride are always visible.

A Mehndi party has two aspects to it. One is the actual application of the Mehndi and the other is the party. The two are held 24 hours apart which is how long it takes for the Mehndi that is applied to dry and set on the body of the applicant.

For the first party - the Mehndi application get together - you may need lots of pillows because most desi’s will sit on the floor and recline against the pillow for support. The pillow covers should be in as bright colors as you can find, usually yellow and greens. The bride will be waited on and will be encouraged to sit back and relax.

TIP: Get a painter’s style large plastic sheet - available at hardware stores e.g. Home Depot - this will prevent the carpet from requiring cleaning because after the henna dries, it falls off the skin in small pieces and gets into all sorts of nooks and crannies. You will need a vacuum cleaner to clean up later.

When the bride and guest have had Mehndi applied to their hands and feet and it is still wet, all of them will be holding their hands in the air avoiding their henna designs from getting ruined. And pretty soon they will realize they are hungry. So make arrangements for easy to eat food, like finger foods, since many guests would rather not tempt fate and eat a regular meal of roti and Desi food which may require them washing their hands or otherwise ruin their beautiful designs of Mehndi.

Stick with sandwiches and kabob rolls, pakora’s and Samosa’s etc., accompanied by such perennial favorites as Mango juice or Mango shakes and or Faluda or something similar. There may be a youngster or two wanting a coke, so keep some soft drinks on hand as well.

And for Desi’s, tea is always a good idea especially after food, to negate any food comma or revive flagging energy levels. Make a pot full but only when people are ready to drink so that it is fresh and does not have that long festering stale taste. Attention to detail is important to keep your guests happy. Cold tea tastes terrible and the only thing worse is reheated tea.