Storytelling Mehndi Festival
Mehndi as a Body Art: Historical Background: The art form of applying henna to the hands and feet is known as Mehndi. It is a very ancient custom found in the Asian subcontinent. Varying from region to region, Mehndi is a traditional form of body art existing in many cultures over the past 5,000 years to the present. The Mughals introduced and popularized it in India during the 12th century AD. During that period, both royals and the wealthy used it to adorn themselves. The patterns were intricately made by artists or beauticians. The origins of Mehndi can be traced back to Ancient Egypt where it was a recognized art form. Evidence of this exists in the henna-stained fingers and toes of mummified Pharaohs. The Egyptians believed that body art could ensure their being recognized in the afterlife as a form of personal identification. Still, no exact place of Mehndi's specific origins is exact since the people of different cultures using it moved through continents over time, taking this art form with them while sharing it with everyone along the way. The Middle Eastern style of Mehndi is characterized by floral patterns similar to Arabic painting; while in North African, the floral designs follow the contours of the hands and feet. Henna tattoing is prevalent among the African and Native South American Indians as well, their designs tending to be larger geometric patterns in contrast to the delicacy of Indian design. The idiosyncratic Mehndi artistry of India and Pakistan include line patterns and teardrop shapes. Indonesian and Southern Asian styles mix both Middle Eastern and Indian stylistic elements. The most common application of henna tattooing within the Indian culture is its ceremonial use for wedding and festival ceremonies.
Concept of Storytelling through Mehndi Art: The objective of the projected series ‘Storytelling Mehndi Festivals' is to explore Mehndi designs and patterns via various folk and real stories by local women artists, with a focus on its aesthetics and visual interpretations. This will be the first festival of its kind in India. These events will allow both Mehndi wearers and observers to experience the personal vision and creative process of this art form through vibrant storytelling. These festivals will illuminate Mehndi art through tribal, folk and traditional characters and symbols found in storytelling. The works and the artists included will represent a variety of cultures and experiences in order to generate cross-cultural awareness, interactions and enrichment. The festivals will expand the perception of Mehndi as limited to rituals and ceremonies alone. The designs and patterns of storytelling Mehndi will inspire and motivate the wearers and viewers--an inspiration that will continue for those who see the body decorations after the festival. The idea is to help initiate dialogue on issues with the potential of bringing social change in society. The art in public life is to connect people.
1st Storytelling Mehndi Festival : The first storytelling Storytelling Mehndi Festival took place on India's National Republic day of the 26th January 2012. The Constitution was enacted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949, and came into full effect on 26 January 1950. With its adoption, the Union of India officially became the modern and contemporary Republic of India and it replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the country's fundamental governing document. The Constitution declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic, assuring its citizens of justice, equality, and liberty, and endeavours to promote fraternity among them. The words "socialist" and "secular" were added to the definition in 1976 by constitutional amendment. India celebrates the adoption of the constitution on 26 January each year as Republic Day. The first Storytelling Mehndi Festival told the story of soverign, socialist, secular, democratic Republic of India whose constitution provides us six fundamental rights. These rights were illustrated in the form of tribal, folk and traditional pattens and symbols on the hands of Mehndi wearers. The six fundamental rights recognised by the constitution are:
1) Right to equality, including equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of untouchability and abolition of titles.
2) Right to freedom which includes speech and expression, assembly, association or union, movement, residence, and right to practice any profession or occupation (some of these rights are subject to security of the State, friendly relations with foreign countries, public order, decency or morality, right to life and liberty, right to education, protection in respect to conviction in offences and protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.
3) Right against exploitation, prohibiting all forms of forced labour, child labour and traffic in human beings;
4) Right to freedom of religion, including freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion, freedom to manage religious affairs, freedom from certain taxes and freedom from religious instructions in certain educational institutes.
5) Cultural and Educational rights preserving Right of any section of citizens to conserve their culture, language or script, and right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice; and
6) Right to constitutional remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
Combining storytelling and Mehndi, the primary goal of the first Storytelling Mehndi Festival was to educate creatively young children from traditional local schools and community women. This ongoing series will continue to target this educationally, socially and economically marginalized sector of society about the Indian Constitution and the fundamental rights for Indian citizens. Trained Mehndi designers and storytellers from the Flying Birds of India group will lead the festival.
STORYTELLING MEHNDI FESTIVAL 2012
Report of the First Festival
The first storytelling Storytelling Mehndi Festival took place on India's National Republic day of the 26th January 2012. The first Storytelling Mehndi Festival told the story of soverign, socialist, secular, democratic republic of India whose constitution provides us six fundamental rights. These rights were illustrated in the form of tribal, folk and traditional pattens and symbols on the hands of Mehndi wearers. The festival was held at DDA Park, Jasola Vihar in Okhla Village, New Delhi. More than two hundred attendees, including women; children; men; young; old; students; professionals such as school teachers, lawyers, and social workers; leaders from the local communities; as well as thirty members of Flying Birds of India group, their parents, relatives and friends from Okhla village and Seelampur-Jafrabad, participated in the inaugural Storytelling Mehndi Festival. Mainstream electronic media channal ETV covered the events as a news bulletin story. The event was organized by Aseem ASHA Foundation, Flying Birds of India & Community Media Initiative 2012. More than fifty women and fifty children received Mehndi designs on their hands.
