The Mehndi Ceremony at Bangalore Club

The enchanting Mehndi ceremony took place at the prestigious Bangalore Club, offering a serene escape in the bustling city of Bangalore, India. The bride-to-be, Sreya Muthukumar, radiated joy as she welcomed and engaged with her guests on the terrace. Surrounded by well-wishers, two skilled artists meticulously applied intricate henna designs on her skin using delicate plastic cones.

For seven hours, the artists passionately crafted freehand patterns, motifs, and mandalas on Ms. Muthukumar’s limbs. The result was mesmerizing – dark green lines adorned her arms from fingertips to elbows. Meanwhile, four other artists pampered the guests’ palms with beautiful henna designs. Once the henna paste, known as mehndi, dried, it was removed to reveal the traditional bright orange stain, symbolizing joy and celebration in Indian weddings.

“The moment when the bride admires her adorned hands and expresses her love for the artwork is truly rewarding for me,” shared Sunitha Parihar, one of the talented artists who embellished Ms. Muthukumar’s arms. “As mehndi artists, we play a crucial role in enhancing the bride’s beauty and confidence on her special day.”

While grand wedding celebrations are common in India among the privileged, they also highlight the stark economic disparities in the country. The growth of a henna artist industry reflects this trend, with opulent weddings juxtaposed against the reality that a vast majority of Indians earn less than $3,900 annually.

Although Ms. Muthukumar’s wedding was elegant, it pales in comparison to the extravagant union of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. Their ongoing month-long festivities have captured global attention, showcasing India’s evolving Gilded Age in the spotlight.