Chennai: Covid hashtags at henna ceremonies

By Harshitha Kumayaa
CHENNAI: llustrations of a bride and groom with masks, Covid-19 motifs, and intricate floral designs around the word ‘Corona’ are a few Covid-themed designs that have become popular among city mehendi artists during the pandemic.
Meena Murali, for instance, tied the knot in July by hosting a small ceremony at her home in Thoraipakkam, but decided that since the pandemic played a huge role in her wedding plans — she had to postpone it to July and cut her guest down to 30 — she would incorporate it into her special day. "I wanted my mehendi to convey my wedding story," says the 25-year-old IT professional.

Meena’s mehendi artist Keerthana Gandhi came up with a Covid-themed design after a few hours of brainstorming. Murali fashioned a design with the illustrations of her and her groom with masks and hand sanitisers. The design also had the words, #coronakalyanam, which turned out to be a hit at the event.
Keerthana says she finds using trending themes with texts reduces the time it takes to complete intricate designs. Drawing elaborate motifs would take hours and doing so during the pandemic is not a safe option, she says. "I just need 10 seconds to fill a 2 to 3-inch space, when I use these themes, as opposed to about 15 minutes with detailed designs," she says.
Clients these days prefer cleaner and more meaningful designs over large floral motifs, say mehendi artists. "When we introduce themes such as covid-19, with catchy phrases like ‘quarantine couple’ or ‘corona kalyanam’, they are drawn to it," she says. Kancheepuram-based mehendi artist Nathiya Purushothaman says brides do not want to compromise on the intricacy and detailing of the designs. Nathiya’s most popular Covid-related design was a groom proposing with a mask, instead of a ring. "This design received a lot of attention. The wedding guests loved the novelty of it," she says.
Having planned a grand celebration with multiple ceremonies such as a mehendi night and an engagement party, S Kavitha’s wedding held in August was reduced to a Zoom call. "As most of our photoshoots were cancelled, we had to focus on smaller elements. Mehendi took centre stage," she says.
Suchithra Ravi, Kavitha’s neighbour and a mehendi artist, drew minimalistic henna designs for the bride and her sister. "The theme of the season is clearly floral illustrations drawn around the word ‘corona’ on the palm," says Suchithra.