Girls display mehendi designs in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 16: Odia weddings, which are traditionally a simple and modest affair, have now got a twist, as style-conscious residents of the city are catching up with the frenzy of glamour and bling.

Rituals such as mehendi and sangeet, popular at north Indian weddings, have now become a quintessential part of Odia weddings. Applying intricate designs of mehendi on the palms and even arms is in vogue for girls at marriages.

The demand for mehendi artists is now at its peak. The increasing popularity of this art form, particularly during this wedding season, has encouraged the artists to come up with interesting designs. Girls are not shying away from trying few bold styles when it comes to mehendi.

Filling up the entire palm with designs has become old fashioned. Now, it is the diagonal or a thin segment of the palm, which is decorated with mehendi. Also, brides-to-be are getting the name of the groom written either on the arm, or even on the shoulders. Various patterns and designs of flowers, leaves, conch shells and stars are gaining popularity. However, with the changing trend, brides also prefer a dash of colourful shimmer on top of the mehendi, to give a touch of glamour.

“Applying mehendi on the palm is considered auspicious. There is a saying that brighter the colour, the more love you get from your husband. I have planed to get my husband's name written on my arm,” said would-be- bride Priyanka.

Despite the extra pocket pinch, the brides’ families are ready to foot the bill to make their daughter look like a million bucks on their wedding day. Apart from the bride, her friends are also trying out new mehendi styles.

Nowadays, it’s not just the brides who come here for mehendi. College students and teenagers are also keen on etching innovative designs on their palms and legs. Few fashionistas are also opting for mehendi designs or tattoos in their arms and shoulders,” said Rajiv, a mehendi artist at Market Building.

The price range of these elaborate mehendi designs vary depending on the intricacy of the designs. Starting from Rs 51 per palm, the prices go as high as Rs 20,000. Mehendi application has now evolved to a lucrative business.

Apart from beauty salons, Market Building and Forum Mart are also seen abuzz with teenagers queued up in front of mehendi kiosks to get their palms adorned with mehendi designs. The designers are often invited for the pre-wedding mehendi event.

“Attractive bridal mehendi packages with eye-catching discounts are attracting customers this wedding season. We usually charge around 10,000 for hand and leg mehendi for the bride’s entire party,” said Pinky, a mehendi artist from a beauty salon at Saheed Nagar.