Get spotted: The great comeback of desi bindi

Decades ago it was fashionable to flash a large bindi. Those were the days of tradition, not yet invaded by denims and tank-tops. But now youngsters are not surprised when they see a Madonna sporting a flashy bindi while singing Material Girl!

They are something that come automatically to your mind when you think of Indian women: Bindis. The small decorative dot that has bewitched Madonna and that adorns the forehead of most Hindu women, goes by many names- the most common being ‘bindi’. It becomes an inseparable part of her daily make-up kit just as the lipstick has become her western counterpart’s must-have. But, unlike lipstick, the bindi harbours a wealth of tales and traditions. From ‘Bindu’ to a cultural symbol

There are many explications for the meaning of ‘bindi’. It’s name comes from the Sanskrit word ‘bindu’ (drop, point) and it’s meant to be an auspicious symbol. When a child is born, a small dot of black dye is applied on its cheek as a sign to warn off the evil eye. If it’s a girl child, the bindi will stay with her throughout, only it will change places to her forehead. Traditionally, all bindis are made of natural products. In South India, a thick, colourful dye called ‘Saandhu’ is used widely. Its thick consistency is obtained by mixing sago(a special flower), turmeric, and other ingredients. Another dry variation of this ‘Saandhu’ is the ‘Kumkum’. It is a dry powder, red in colour that is made by mixing, turmeric and lime. When a girl marries, the bindi takes on an almost sacred presence in her life. Then, apart from her forehead, she has to apply some ‘Kumkum’ (‘Sindoor’ in North India) at the base of the partition in her hair. It is a symbol of her matrimonial bliss and no wedded Hindu lady will appear in public (or private) without it. It is a symbol of her suhag, her matrimony. When she becomes a widow, the bindis, along with her bangles, are the first ones to be sacrificed. In earlier days, Kshatriya queens used to put a tilak on their husband’s forehead when they went out on battlefield, as a mark of prayer for their victory. One can still find this tradition as a way of welcoming guests.
And now synthetic bindis

The bindi has come to mean several different things. In some parts of India a bindi is a sign of marriage. In a religious concept, the bindi can be worn by both, men and women and has a spiritual significance. Today, the bindi has mostly become a type of cosmetic enhancement. Women wear bindis to match their clothing, their nails, their make-up.
An old method to get a perfect round bindi was to use a small circular disc or a hollow pie coin. Firstly, a sticky wax paste or vaseline was applied on the empty space in the disc. This was covered with Kumkum and then the disc was removed- and there you had a perfect round bindi. After some years, Kumkum powder was also available in liquid form. Soon many different colours were available and women started to match their bindis with saris.
In the 18th century rich Indian women could afford glamorous bindis made of gold, diamonds and pearls, and thus, the meaning of a bindi changed from religious to fashionable.
The shining bindi on the beloved’s forehead is supposed to mesmerise her lover. Poets, through the ages have composed couplets on the beautiful bindiya of the damsel. And it was the turn of the dream merchants in Bollywood who have followed suit by crooning about teri bindiya. Bindis still do attract a lot of attention as it is the first thing that catches our eye. This little dot has always received a place of importance in Indian customs.