Mendhi Competition!

Last week Vanisha and I watched our very first mendhi competition! The students and teachers had been talking about this competition for days, but we had no idea what to expect when we walked to into the examination hall where it was being held. When we walked in, we were struck by how many students were participating - at least forty girls were carefully applying their best designs on the hands of their classmates.

After a quick scan, we saw two boys in the corner quietly drawing on the hands of another two boys. We had heard that boys participated last year, but we never thought we would see them putting mendhi on one another! Last year, a boy from our current Spoken English class won second place at this competition. Unfortunately, this year he forgot to bring mendhi.

After walking around and watching the students trying to finish their task, we decided to get our mendhi done as well! We sat down and were immediately surrounded by girls who asked us if they could put mendhi on our hands and arms. We eagerly agreed, and soon the students were drawing on us with the dark paste. Vanisha had both her arms and hands done, but I had to leave after one arm was finished, because I had to teach a class the following period. The designs ranged from simple ones that covered the wrist, palm, and fingers to ones that completely covered one's entire arm up to his or her elbow! We were so impressed with everyone's talent! Some designs took the full hour to complete while others were done in just twenty minutes!

Later that night, we took off the dried mendhi to uncover the designs that were left behind on our skin - they were so beautiful and dark! I hope I can get my other hand done soon!

Priya