The artists and the art of mendhi patterns
Many countries and cultures use henna powder in dyes. It’s natural and has a very potent pigment. In many parts of India people use a paste, made with henna, for body art. This paste is known as mendhi. Many people use the term henna tattoos as its simpler and is indicative of multiple cultures.
During Eid-ul-fitrah of 2025, my sister, mother and I decided to put mendhi for the first time in a while. We went to a woman who sat us down on the carpet and gently laid our hands on the pillow as she worked with the cone. I found myself mesmerised by her skill and the intimacy of this art form. I shall call her A for the sake of her privacy since I do not have her consent to share any personal information.
Others had come to get their mendhi done as well. Each of them showed A photos of designs they wanted her to replicate. She worked quickly and meticulously on each design. She’d wipe the tip of the cone on her thumb so the next line would be as crisp as the previous. It left her hands stained a dark brown as she worked. I couldn’t ask her many questions because of the language barrier but when it came to my turn I wanted to see what A could do when given complete freedom. She completed my right hand faster than I imagined. The design stretched from my forearm down to my stained fingertips.
Before A completed my left hand, she got up to tend to her baby in the other room. I could hear her singing softly to the little boy. She then left him in the hands of a friend and continued.
I was sitting in her home, my hands in her lap while she helped me adorn my body for a special occasion. Despite us only saying a few words, there was a beautiful exchange. There was trust, joy and closeness. It’s made me reconsider the way I look at mendhi designs. It is not just a form of body art, but also a close relationship between the artist and their subject.
Afterward I was unable to stand up or use my hands due to the wet mendhi. A and her friends helped me and we laughed as they lifted me off the floor. No matter the race, culture, or the occasion at hand, I hope people will be more mindful when getting henna tattoos. People should look at mendhi artists just as they do any other artist, and allow them to have freedom in their works. More than that, put down your phones and enjoy the personal exchange and experience of being an art piece.
Photo’s taken by anonymous relatives of Saleemah S
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