Why bride wears yellow clothes on Mehndi in India?

Why bride wears yellow clothes on Mehndi in India?

PROF WAQAR HUSSAIN

       

There are three occasions in everybody’s life when one becomes the cynosure of all eyes and becomes the centre of attention and pivot of all the activities. These three days are; day of Birth, day of Marriage and the day of Demise. Out of these three significant days, two days are such when one is totally unaware of the activities happening around  but one day i.e. marriage day, one is fully conscious and aware of the occasion and thus takes dynamic part according to one’s will, wish and whim. On this day, everyone wishes to look attractive, eye-catching and unique. Females are more cognizant of their beauty than males thus it becomes very tough task for the bride to select her mehndi dress. Mehndi is a very vital event in Asian countries especially in India. That is why bride wears yellow dress. Bride looks beautiful, eye-catching and prominent in yellow attire. This reason is supported by the research of the Chicago University that concluded yellow colour is startling, stunning and striking and easiest to be spotted.

            

            My personal view is different! Bride wears yellow colour on mehndi to take the benefit of “comparative beauty”. Mehndi night is actually a preparatory night for the wedding day. Bride attends mehndi without having makeup. If yellow is meant to enhance beauty, she would have decorated herself with makeup but she doesn’t. In fact, yellow dress imparts a pale shade on the face of bride and her beauty fades away. In our culture, you have often noticed comment of elders: “you are looking pale! Are you healthy?” Looking pale is a sign of illness not a beauty. The next day, when bride wears red dress (usually), she looks pinkish, healthy and beautiful. And bride’s day before condition further enhances her charm as comparative beauty. The bride groom often doesn’t shave for a week or so and looks ugly on mehndi night. On marriage, he undergoes shave and looks fresh and beautiful. So, both become unattractive on mehndi to enhance their charm on the next day. So, bride wears yellow dress on mehndi as preparatory step to look shabby that night.

      Now a day, the trend is changing and brides are wearing yellow, green or red combinations on mehndi. But many brides still want to wear yellow dress.