Alata is a red dye applied to the feet and hands, which is considered a symbol of marriage or prosperity in Indian society. But now it is becoming fashionable.
During the entry of Shahrukh Khan in 'Devdas', Aishwarya's feet feel restless. Even in the film 'Chokher Bali', Aishwarya Rai's hands are decorated with Alata. Take the horror film 'Bulbul', in that also a small nightingale has been shown dancing in the bridal scene. Alata has also been considered an important part of Indian and especially Bengali culture in films. Its importance is as much as that of bindi or vermilion adorned on the forehead.
Alata is generally considered a symbol of marriage. The colour red is also considered a sign of fertility and is often applied on an auspicious occasion. It is applied to those women who have been married or are going to be married. At least it used to be like this in the olden times.
Now Alata has changed its form and now it has taken the form of a fashion accessory or any piece of jewellery. Now we have started looking at Alata through the lens of fashion.
In this Fashion Reset series, we try to look at the main trends in fashion from their inception. We explore how they are now seen in a new form through society, culture and cinema.
Use of Alta in the Indian subcontinent
Alata is made from Laak and it was also called 'Lakshya Rasa' in Sanskrit. However, now many types of synthetic dyes have also started coming into the market due to which the appearance of Alta has changed a bit. To see its cultural importance, we can see from the story of Shri Krishna. There is a reference to Shri Krishna in folklore when he is applying Mahavar or Aalata to Radhaji's feet.
By the way, we also get a reference to this from the Arabic word 'al-ta' which means die.
If we talk about India, here Alata is considered an important part of Bengali culture. It is usually applied to the hands and feet. However, let us tell you that in Hindu Upanishads, Alata has been considered a form of Solah Shringar. It is a part of bridal makeup and is used to enhance the look of a woman.
Alata is applied in different designs on the ankles, the fingers and the palms. Along with this, making red circles on the palms is also seen as a trend.
Significance of Alata or Mahavar
If we talk about Alata, it is considered a symbol of fertility, beauty, and married prosperity. In Bengali homes, the feet and hands of the goddess are also decorated with alata. Along with their clothes, their hands and feet are also full of colours. Speaking to Harjindi'sRupshaBhadra, stylist and fashion influencer Pushpak Sen says, "My first introduction to Aalatha was when I used to see the hands and feet of the goddess in my amma's (grandmother's) puja ghar."
Speaking of marriage, the feet of the bride are immersed in the aalata. After this, she comes inside her husband's house by keeping her feet in white cloth or paper. These footprints show the form of Goddess Lakshmi. Bengali Alata is shown similarly.
Talking to RupshaBhadra, Pushpak Sen said that for him, aalata was always more important than mehndi. "I see it as a piece of jewellery, something that exudes beauty, a perfect replacement for henna. I can't relate to henna. It doesn't match my aesthetics. I Bengali brides don't even like to apply henna. Alta is Bengali so we should look at it as a custom. We need to understand the difference between something borrowed from another culture. For me, Alta henna is a very good option, and should be experimented with."
When it comes to dancing, the importance of aalata can be seen in the different hand gestures. Odissi dancers are always seen wearing red Alata in their hands.
A form of Alata is also very popular in Nepali culture where the red colour is called Allah and is applied to the feet of little girls during various rituals.
Use of Aalta in Bollywood
Aalata has always been used in films to depict Bengali culture. Aalata was used to show Paro's waiting and love in 'Devdas'. In the song 'Dola Re Dola' in the film, both Madhuri and Aishwarya Rai used Aalata as jewellery. Paro's running away on hearing the news of Devdas's illness and Alata's plate falling is considered very important in the film. This shows that Alata in that film is considered to be a symbol of love and belonging as well as something to be lost.
Now let's talk about the horror film 'Bulbul' where in many scenes women have been shown dance. Alata has been used many times in this film before marriage, after marriage and as a luxury.
Similarly, in some scenes of the film 'Namesake', actress Tabu's feet have been tied.
Alata has also become a part of many film songs. Bipasha's hands in the song 'Bidi Jalile' from the film 'Omkara', DeepikaPadukone's hands and feet in the song 'Mohe Rang Do Lal' from the film 'BajiraoMastani'. Alata has made her presence felt in these songs.
Using Alata as a Fashion Accessory
Alata has also been used in fashion in a very unique way and now it is considered creative. According to Pushpak Sen, the Parma clothing brand used Alata in its collaboration with Calvin Klein Jeans. In that story, Alata reflects passion, love and longing.
In that photoshoot, the boys are shown in white blouses, jeans and Alata, "It shows that people are moving smoothly from one certain gender identity to another. It is high time we give more importance to aesthetics."
If you have seen the photo shoots of fashion designer Sabyasachi, then there is always a sleight of hand in the hands of the models. Not a very heavy design, but the hands have been kept completely red. The colour of the hands matching his clothes reflects Sabyasachi's vision in many ways. In this, the aalata has been shifted from Bengali settings to a jewel where it is paired with lehengas, deep neck blouses, sarees etc. Some of the models are inside the veil, but Alata is visible in their hands.
Another brand Taurani also uses Alata as its own. There also a unique glimpse of breaking the restrictions is seen. In his series Seven Sacred Sins, females of all ages from women to transwomen are engaged. Alata is showing off the beauty here. Sexuality educator Seema Anand has also been seen hanging out several times. The intermingling of her grey hair adds to her grace.
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