A Bride in Assam, wearing Sindoor on her forehead
Sindoor is a red powder (Vermilion), which is traditionally applied at the beginning or completely along the parting-line of a woman’s hair (also called mang) or as a dot on the forehead. Sindoor is the mark of a married woman in Hinduism. Single women wear the dot in different colors ("bindi" in Hindi) but do not apply sindoor in their mang. Hindu widows do not wear the sindoor, signifying that their husband is no longer alive. A version used in Hindu rituals or puja is known as Kumkum. This also lends itself to the name of a wedding ritual in some Hindu communities, known as 'Haldi-Kumkum'.
[edit] Hinduism
The history of sindoor is believed to be very old; it is a very traditional practice. It expresses a woman's desire for a long life for their husbands. The reason sindoor is red is because it comes from vermilion, and it is said to represent strength and love. A woman's initial experience with the sindoor is during their marriage ceremonies. The displaying of the sindoor is considered very important since the bride belongs to the groom.[1][2]
Many experts in Vedic traditions say that the sindoor is placed on the part of the hair at a Hindu marriage ceremony to signify that the wife is now under the protection of her husband and that anyone who harms her would find that their blood would be shed.
In general, using sindoor is a Hindu tradition, and not followed by Muslim women. In the 19th century, sindoor was one of the rituals that a Sufi leader Sharafuddin Maneri had permitted Bangladeshi Muslim women to practice; however, soon thereafter a reformist organization was established to eliminate it.[3]
Though most Indian women do continue to wear the bindi, it has become a decorative accessory often applied as a sticker.
In early 2008, allegations of high lead content led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reduce sales of Sindoor in malls.[4]
[edit] In popular culture
Shop selling Sindoor (Vermilion) in
Pushkar, Rajasthan
There are many Indian movies and dramas involving sindoor — Sindoor Tere Naam Ka and the movie Sindoor released in 1987 — with their themes revolving around the ritual's significance.
[edit] Composition
Traditional sindoor (also known as kumkum) was made with turmeric and alum or lime, or from other herbal ingredients.[5] Many commercially available powders are usually mercury or lead compounds (e.g., powdered red lead); these are toxic and can cause lead poisoning.[6][5] However, Mangalore Kunkuma, traditionally prepared by mixing powdered and burnt betel nut with turmeric is available in some shops in South India.
[edit] References
- ^ Ahearn, Laura M (2001). Invitation to love: Literacy, Love Letters, & Social Change in Nepal. University of Michigan : Michigan. pp. 95.
- ^ Selwyn, Tom (December 1979). "Images of Reproduction: An Analysis of a Hindu Marriage Ceremony". JSTOR 14 (4): 684–698.
- ^ Akbar, M J (2002). The Shades of Swords: Jihad and the conflict between Islam and Christianity. Routledge: London, New York. pp. 111.
- ^ "After sindoor, bindi taken off American shelves". IBN Live. 2008-03-04. http://www.ibnlive.com/news/after-sindoor-bindi-taken-off-american-shelves/60433-17.html. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
- ^ a b Kapoor, V P (July 2007). "Kohl and Sindoor: the potential source of lead poisoning". EnviroNews 13 (3). http://isebindia.com/05_08/07-07-1.html. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
- ^ "The Hazards of Synthetic Sindoor". Hinduism Today. 2004-10-12. http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2004/10-12/60-61_sindoor.shtml. Retrieved on 2008-03-09.
