(My) Story of Bindi!!
Disclaimer: The content of this post is purely one of the several biases that I carry. I neither lament about them nor try to become unbiased. Because THIS IS THE WAY I AM. It means no reference to anyone dead or alive ;-)
In India bindi is a predominant custom among woman of all religions. Apart from Hindus, many sects of Christianity and few sects of Islam practice this tradition. Keeping bindi is also treated as a symbol that the woman is not a widow.
How did the tradition of bindi started??
As per the Ancient Indian philosophy every part of the body is recognized as a place for someone.. For e.g. heart is the place for loved ones. Similarly the place between the eye brows is the position of the Teachers, so as a token of respect to the Guru/teaching community the idea of bindi was introduced. Also, people in the olden days used to keep sindhur along with kumkum and both of them were cosmetics.. We Indians are always fond of looking good ;-)
Regarding me, I dont like people who dont keep bindi. As I said above it is one of the several biases that I carry. I feel bindi gives a serene look to one's face; may it be male or female. However, these days I'm hardly finding people keeping the bindi. It has become a part of the attire than a custom. I observed woman keep bindi only when they are wearing saree. About myself, since childhood I never moved out of my house without keeping kumkum.
Whenever I wash my face the first thing I would do is keeping a bindi.
My face look too jaded without kumkum. It is one of the reasons why I dont like most of the Bollywood actresses. I feel their faces lack a sense of liveliness. Sridevi was the last actress who constantly had a bindi on her face. Without bindi some of the actresses look like "Men in Saree" ;-) (Recalling Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor?? BINGO! you got 120/100 :))
Now let me do some test of hypothesis :)) I dont want to say why and how, one can look at the following pics and understand the glow one gets from bindi..If you are not appreciating them it means you have a bad taste ;-)
These pics at here at the charity of my Co-blogger Chaitanya and I dont have any laments for this plagiarism. :))
Sarvejana Sukhinobhavantu,
-Karthik
Comments
"Traditionally Bindi is red in colour.'Bindi' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'bindu' or a drop, and suggests the mystic third eye of a person.It is applied as an ornamental mark on the forehead between the two eyebrows — a spot considered a major nerve point in human body since ancient times. The bindi is believed to prevent the loss of "energy", as well as bringing spiritual protection against demons or bad luck.The red 'kumkum' between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body and control the various levels of concentration. It is also the central point of the base of the creation itself — symbolising auspiciousness and good fortune."
Source: http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/hinduism-forum/451067-why-do-we-keep-tilak-bindi-pottu-forehead.html
Where did I force anyone? I just said I dont like those faces who dont have bindi.. Its my choice and i have authority to live my life..
Period!
-Karthik