The mark of a maiden

The versatile bindi has left its prominent position on a woman's forehead and found its way down to the bosom, belly and ankles of pop icons and models, says Nisha Jhangiani

It's a dot. A tiny dot of perfect purity. Not just any dot, but one that's steeped in years of culture and tradition. It's goes under different names ranging from bindi to bindiya and bottu, depending on which part of the country you hail from.

Indian culture holds the bindi in very high esteem. The word bindi is actually derived from the Sanskrit word bindu, which literally means a drop, and it symbolises the mystic third eye of a person. This decorative mark appeared on sculptures of Buddha, and has adorned idols and mortals as early as the second and third century AD.

Haldi, chandan and kumkum
Earlier versions of the bindi were mostly powder-based like the bright, red kumkum, known for its therapeutic properties. Yogis and sadhus believed that kumkum gave them immunity against hypnosis - hence its application near the eyes. The red hue was also thought to signify past sacrifices and love.
Turmeric was used in the product mix purely as a cosmetic medium, as it added luster to the skin.

Another version is that the bindi originated from the application of sandalwood or chandan on the forehead. The spot between the eyebrows is known to emit waves of energy that cause heat and give rise to headaches, and the cooling effect of sandal paste helped alleviate this problem. Then we have the black charcoal bindi, which is marked on both males and females to protect them against evil influences. The black hue is believed to counteract dark thoughts and to protect its wearer from the negative vibes from other people.

Women in some tribes also decorate the areas near the chin, eyebrows and cheekbones with an elaborate array of dark dots. These unique designs have a dual purpose: Firstly, they present great aesthetic value, because the dots are strategically placed to bring out the exceptional bone structure of Indian natives, and secondly, they observe the earlier mentioned theory of warding off evil influences.

In North Indian communities, the bindi commonly denotes that its wearer is married. In fact, brides are bedecked with a whole line of red and white dots over the eyebrows on their wedding day. Unlike the north, females of all ages wear them in South India. As a rule, widows do not avail of this embellishment, since the red circle is recognised as a sign of an enduring marriage.

Men on the other hand, sport a tilak (an elongated version of the bindi) for religious ceremonies and auspicious occasions. In the past, women would adorn their husband's foreheads with a red tikka, as a symbol of good luck when they went out on the battlefield. When the males returned victorious, they were welcomed with an aarti, and the same red tikka again. Though battles are long gone, this customary method of greeting is still performed in Hindu households
today.

Today, the traditional bindi has moved from a housewife's forehead to faces, bellies and legs of pop icons and models. Here's what contemporary fashion designer Payal Singhal has to say about the bindi, "A classic accessory. Bindis may have gained worldwide appeal only since the past couple of seasons, but it has always been in vogue as far as Indian couture is concerned. Though its use with Western clothing is just a passing phase, it will forever add that touch of style to traditional Indian garments."

The bindi, however, has definitely gone global in the 21st century. Madonna wore one to last year's MTV music awards to proclaim her newfound spirituality, Christina Aguilera exhibited shimmering stick-ons in her recent video, and pop icon Britney Spears was seen with an arm tattoo of silver stones during her live tour of Hawaii in 2001. Rock concerts, nightclubs, proms, black-tie affairs have showcased a dazzling display of non-permanent tattoos or bindis on teens and adults alike.

Adapting to current trends, the bindi is now available in various shapes, sizes, and forms. The variety includes sequined designs, motifs dusted with gold and silver powder, or studded with beads, or even surrounded by glittering gems. Stick-on and liquid ranges are both equally in demand. Bindis are also being used over eyes and eyebrows, on belly buttons and bare backs, and on fingernails and toe nails. A new fad has even showcased a column of these body jewels worn just above a plunging neckline!