You might have come across people applying henna during weddings, but giving this tradition a twist a woman inked her hands with ‘mehendi’ to mark her divorce. Her mehendi design wasn’t an usual one. It carried several messages slamming toxic marriages, one of which being, “Bahu ya naukar (Daughter-in-law or a servant)?”. She questioned several stereotypical and concerning expectations revolving around a bride at the in-laws’ place through the henna art.
The woman’s henna design loudly read “Finally divorced” while carrying bold messages about toxic marriages where a woman is treated unequally and without respect.
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A close into the viral henna design
In a video, she recorded her unusual mehendi design on camera and put it across internet users, taking a dig at the unequal expectations made towards women within traditional marriages.
Addressing the plight of several married women being confined to household chores leaving them tired and exhausted at the end of the day, she questioned whether the family brought a bride home or hired a servant. On this note, her henna work depicted a woman washing clothes while being pressed by someone’s foot. Here, it read, “Bahu ya naukar?”.
Divorce-themed rangoli goes viral
Another illustration on the hand suggested lack of support from in-laws. In clear words, alongside a ‘heartbreak’ design, it read, “In-laws ne support nahi kiya”. The design concluded at the palm with the representation of self love where a girl was shown embracing her own heart and admiring herself and her abilities.
The striking art threw light on the lives of woman after marriage.
The video of this ‘Divorce’ henna design was posted online by Mehendi and makeup artist Urvashi Vora Sharma, reflecting on the struggles a married woman.
This art reel was uploaded on Instagram on December 6 and it has already gone viral on the internet platform. It has received nearly 20,000 likes.
Divorce rate in India
According to reports, India has one of the lowest divorce rates in the world, while the list tops with regions in the Western societies like the US. In India, it is reported that only one of 100 marriages end up in divorce, usually based on grounds of sexual harassment and abuse, infidelity, and others.
