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The Marwari Mehndi Explainer: Everything Answered About This Season's Raging Bridal Henna Trend

Here is your complete guide to the comeback of the traditional Marwari mehndi, what really makes it stand out and what are the intricate motifs that make the Marwari mehndi extremely special.

WTF - What the Fotography

Is the gorgeous woman reading this, a traditional Indian bride-to-be? Are you excited for your Mehndi ceremony knocking right at your door? Are you confused by the maddening range of mehndi styles doing rounds on Facebook and Instagram?

We have your perfect way out from the constant juggle between the vines, the Arabic mehndi, the mandalas and what not! Marwari mehndi is the latest comeback of the traditional mehndi punch this wedding season and below is a complete guide to the extraordinary style of mehndi.

What is it? What all patterns and motifs does it use? Anything and everything about the intricate Marwari mehndi is gift wrapped for you right below!

Marwari mehndi origins - Where do these trails begin?

Image courtesy: Indiagram

Mehndi and henna trails began as early as the 12th century in the Indian Subcontinent. Though henna designs, the way we see them in modern times, was believed to have been brought along by the Mughals, Alta and their earlier forms are believed to be even older. Even now, the Mehndi ceremony is one of the most auspicious ceremonies and so, is a significant part of every wedding ceremony.

Marwari mehndi is an authentic form of traditional mehndi which comes from the culturally rich state of Rajasthan. The intricate, thin strokes that define Marwari mehndi form traditional motifs and patterns like horses, Dulha-Dulhan, palanquins, flora and fauna and other such delicate, yet royal patterns.

What makes the Marwari Mehndi different?

Image courtesy: Mehndi Henna Artistry

Marwari Mehndi is a distinct style of mehndi which swears by extreme detailing. The style uses thin mehndi strokes skillfully drawn onto hands or legs, which combine together to form one big doodle. The amount of detailing involved ensures that these small, traditional mehndi designs are quite popular across the Indian sub-continent.

Common motifs for Marwari mehndi

 

1. Lotuses

Image courtesy: Henna by Divya

Lotuses are one of the most popular and recurring motifs when it comes to the traditional Marwari mehndi. As a symbol, it conveys the message of purity even after growing in mud. Other flowers used in mehndi patterns together signify happiness, togetherness and new beginnings in life.

You can either get a bunch of lotuses made on your hands or a bigger one in the centre surrounded by other intricate patterns.

2. Elephants

Image courtesy: Amrit Henna

Elephants are among the regal motifs used in the Marwari mehndi patterns. As a symbol, elephants signify royalty which has been a symbol of the regal lifestyle of Rajasthan since ancient times.

In fact, the elephant pattern is making a splash all across the wedding market - you can even sport it onto your wedding lehenga! The big fat Indian wedding, especially destination weddings in palaces and ancient royal Havelis call for such a royal motif on your hands for the ultimate wedding day.

3. Peacock

Red Veds

Another distinct motif that almost all the emerging styles of mehndi have been taken from the Marwari style is the representative Indian symbol of Mor (Peacock).

The most common meaning associated with this motif is that of immense beauty. You can team it up with a huge Mor pattern embroidered on your lehenga and the national symbol shall lend you its regal essence on the auspicious day of your wedding. It is one of the most potent motifs which can transform any henna pattern into an extraordinary design.

4. Marriage Motifs

Image courtesy: Saranya Mehndi

Wedding dolis, pictures or caricatures of Indian brides adorned with Shringar, a groom with a Sehra or a Pagdi are some of the artistic marriage symbols which are a part of the Marwari mehndi pattern.

Looking at marriage as the day for the celebration of a lifetime, the coming together of two lives and families, the Marwari henna pattern gives a lot of importance to the wedding symbols. These motifs have gained their popularity from the Marwari designs itself and today, no bridal mehndi design is complete without the inclusion of these meaningful motifs.

Arabic mehndi vs Marwari mehndi

Image courtesy: Husain Maaz

Marwari mehndi is quite different from the Arabic mehndi style. Apart from being a heritage of ancient Indian art styles popular among Rajasthani locals and royalties alike, the Marwari mehndi has innumerable distinctions.

The identifiers of the Rajasthani mehndi pattern make it stand out on a pedestal when it comes to henna designs from all across the globe, especially the Asian countries.

Unlike Arabic patterns, the Marwari mehndi doesn't use thick mehndi strokes. Thin detailed strokes following each other without leaving any space in between make it a very artistic and aesthetically appealing style. Apart from this, it doesn't leave much skin showing.

The Marwari style of designing works with extreme details aiming at covering the entire body part with the design. Unlike Arabic style, you would notice that it tries to fill every design with a sub-design instead of filling it with a single, solid colour.

In most of the designs, even the fingertips are adorned with designs and not solid mehndi. Another distinctive feature is that the Marwari mehndi uses multiple motifs and floral patterns including the bride and the groom.

Other wonderful motifs as discussed above include animals like the elephants, various Indian flowers, leaves, peacock and much more. All these distinct identifiers make it the first choice of traditional brides over any other henna styles.

Should you opt for Marwari mehndi?

Image courtesy: AA Impressions

If you are a bride with majestic preferences, then the regal Marwari mehndi is the perfect choice for you. It has been the mehndi which the ancient queens have been adorning for decades, so the question of it being appropriate for a wedding shouldn't even arise.

Authentic local mehndi artists right from the lands of Marwar have been practising it with utmost skill and unbeatable perfection since years together. It does not just make it a royal choice to go for on your much awaited Mehndi, but also a vintage form of art to flaunt.

We hope all of your questions about the traditional mehndi style right from the sand state of Rajasthan were addressed to. We hope that your disturbing struggle of choosing the perfect Marwari motif to go for on your exciting Mehndi ceremony ends here.

Now that you have the in-depth knowledge about the details and differences about it, you will be able to make up your mind between Arabic or Rajasthani styles of henna.

Begin your research for Mehndi artists straight from Rajasthan and make your bridal mehndi with an authentic Marwari touch a big hit! What are you waiting for? Get, set moving.

Give us a thumbs up in the comments below if you are going with the traditional Marwari mehndi on your wedding.