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Alta (dye)

A Bengali Muslim Bride's hand on her Gaye Holud, Bangladesh
A Bengali bride's hand adorned with alta on her gaye holud ceremony

Alta (Bengali: আলতা), lakshaya rasa, alah, or mahavar is a red dye mainly used in the Indian subcontinent[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] to tint the hands and feet of women as a cultural practice. It is usually applied with a cotton swab or brush during wedding ceremonies and festivals.

Natural alta is produced from soaked betel leaves, although today it is mainly replaced with synthetic dyes.[8]

Early history

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Early mention of alta comes from Upanishads where it is known as lakshaya rasa meaning red-lac dye pigment derived from lac resin as one of sixteen adornments of woman known as solah-shringar.[9][10]

Cultural significance

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A ceremony welcoming the newly wed bride to her new home, with the feet dipped in a mixture of milk and alta

Alta has great cultural significance in Bengali and Odia culture[11][12][3] Regardless of religious beliefs, women traditionally adorn their hands and feet with alta for marriage[13][7] and cultural festivals like Pohela Baishakh, Pohela Falgun and others.[14][15][16] Wearing alta on Durga Puja is a common ritual for Odia and Bengali women.[17]

Odissi classical dancer wearing alta on her hands and feet

It can be commonly seen worn by Odissi classical dancers on hands and feet while performing. It is applied to women's feet as an auspicious symbol during Raja (Mithun Sankranti), which is a three-day festival celebrating womanhood (menstruation).[18]

In Nepal it is known as alah and it is an important part of weddings, religious rituals and festivals. [19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ আলতা. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 6 November 2019. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  2. ^ আলতা রাঙা পা. Daily Bangladesh (in Bengali). Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  3. ^ a b প্রামাণিক, কল্লোল. "পায়ে আলতা পরিয়ে শুভলগ্ন রাঙিয়ে তোলেন তিনি". anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Bengali Hindu Wedding - Rituals, Customs, Dress, Food". www.culturalindia.net. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  5. ^ "Newari girls participate in mass Bel Bibaha [with photos]". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  6. ^ Shrestha, Shreeya (November 2017). "An Elaborate Ritual called Marriage". ECS NEPAL. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Learn How Bengali Mehndi Blends Simplicity, Authenticity and Ethnicity on the Wedding Day". www.weddingwire.in. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
  8. ^ Rath, Bikash (2 September 2014). "A sacred dye to return". Down To Earth. "Originally prepared from lac and hence known as lakshya rasa in Sanskrit, this dye has long been replaced by synthetic products in the market that most users were unaware of."
  9. ^ "Alta : The Red Indian Dye and its Significance". Enroute Indian History. 18 September 2023.
  10. ^ Assomull, Sujata (16 January 2023). ""Sabyasachi Red" makes a case for the traditional alta in the brand's latest campaign". Vogue India.
  11. ^ ଅଳତା আলতা. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 6 November 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  12. ^ আলতা রাঙা পা. Daily Bangladesh (in Bengali). Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  13. ^ "দাও গায়ে হলুদ, পায়ে আলতা". e-barta247.com (in Bengali).
  14. ^ আলতা রাঙা বৈশাখ. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  15. ^ "আলতা পরা পায়ে". m.newsg24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 26 July 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  16. ^ "বৈশাখী উন্মাদনার ঢেউ শাবিতে". banglanews24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 30 December 2020.
  17. ^ "Alta Dye: Bright Red Liquid Color Used to Adorn Palms and Feet". Utsavpedia. 17 November 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  18. ^ "Odisha Tourism : Raja, A Festival Of Fun, Frolic and Mouthwatering Delicacies". odishatourism.gov.in. Retrieved 25 May 2021.
  19. ^ "The Allure of Alta: A Symbol of Prosperity, Reimagined As A Fashion Accessory". HerZindagi English. 29 July 2023.