SUPRIYA KELKAR’S MEHENDI CELEBRATION

The art of mehendi has been a traditional part of Indian weddings for centuries.  The Visionalist team was honored to attend Supriya Kelkar’s pre-wedding mehendi celebration at her parents’ home in Northville.  We arrived to find friends and family gathering in the front yard, which had been decorated by long strings of flower garlands.  However, in a lavish throne garnished with green silky fabric is where we found the bride to be.  She was sitting patiently as a mehendi artist adorned her feet, forearms, and hands with henna. 

Traditionally, henna is applied to the bride  and the other women in the wedding party.   Henna is a dye attained from the dried leaves of a bush called Lawsonia Inermi that will stay on skin for up to two weeks.  Supriya explained the process.  First she and the artist agree on the symbols and designs that will be incorporated into the temporary tattoo.  Then she must sit still for two to three hours as the artist meticulously applies the henna.  This process can get uncomfortable, admits Supriya.  She must be careful not to smug the wet henna before it dries.  So, walking around or using her hands is out of the question.  On the bright side, family and friends are constantly bringing her gifts and their blessings, and the groom brings her food and anything else she may want. 

As the other guests mingle and eat, Supriya must remain still.  And like any bride preparing for her big day, she admits that the stress and nervousness is building, but she knows that her wedding day is going to be amazing.