The world famous Sojat Mehndi of Rajasthan is known for its attractive, deep burn-red stains. On 14th September we explore the issue of its harvesting, manufacture and adulteration along with various art and medicinal forms.
Mukesh Hirani says, “Our women apply it on their hands and even our men keep it on their fingers.” Geographical Indication) status for Sojat Mehndi will only enhance its brand value and customer confidence in us.
Mukesh, a fourth generation manufacturer, established Bright Henna Products in 1985 and processes five tonnes of henna per day in packs ranging from 10 grams to one kilogram.
The entire town of Sojat on the banks of the Sukri River in Rajasthan is celebrating this new value of its desi mehndi, which Bollywood stars like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Priyanka Chopra love for their wedding ceremonies. The city’s population – about 1.25 lakh people – which includes 150 “big and small” farmers, traders, manufacturers and labourers, depend on the cultivation of henna worth 1000 crores.
What is GI Tag?
- A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and have a quality or reputation due to that origin.
- It is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks, which is the Registrar of Geographical Indications.
- The 2020 and 21 GI tag acquisitions include Kashmir Kesar (Jammu and Kashmir), Khola Mirch (Goa), Judima Rice Wine (Assam) and Edyoor Chilli and Kuttiyattoor Mango (Kerala).
“We will get pure adulterated henna from now on,” says a very happy Vikas Tak, a member of the Sojat Mehndi trade union committee and one of the individuals who granted GI status to Sojat Mehndi on September 14. Explaining the uniqueness of Sojat Mehndi, Vikas says, “It gets its special color due to the soil and rain conditions of the area. Mehndi leaves contain 2% more pigment in lawns than leaves grown elsewhere. it happens.
how it’s made
Kamlesh Tak of Taj Henna Products explains the process of manufacturing: “We pick up 40 kg sacks from the wholesale market. These leaves are then separated and the waste from the seeds and stems is used to make low grade henna powder. Fine leaves are grinded and filtered twice to obtain fine henna powder. Kamlesh says that mehndi is grown in Pakistan and West Asian countries and other states but it does not have this unique colour.
One of the biggest challenges is adulteration. “There is no black henna,” Vikas says, explaining that chemicals such as PPD (paraphenylenediamine) and benzyl alcohol are added to give a darker complexion. “These are harmful and we hope the GI tag will help put an end to this menace.”
According to him, the major consequence of the GI status is that it will “help increase our exports and hopefully bring it in the list of agricultural commodities so that we can negotiate MSP and crop insurance with the government.”
countless uses
Mehndi paste known for its cooling effect is applied to the soles and scalp as part of traditional medicine. It is also used in Ayurvedic preparations. Dev Nayak says, “I don’t know any mehndi other than Sojat,” says Dev Nayak, who started mehndi designing in Thane 15 years ago and has 20 young designers working with him. He says that the trend of male mehndi designers started three decades ago. “Earlier we had the job of printing the marks on the hands of men during fairs or fairs.”
Mehndi designer Shireen Arikkan, who runs her services under the AIIMS Henna brand in Ernakulam, says that Sojat Mehndi is triple filtered and hence smooth and easy to use. “It gives the best colour, which is why it is most in demand” Shireen makes her own mehndi paste and says that the current trend of 3D designs in mehndi is revolutionary. Yet Indian and Arabic designs for weddings remain strong.
Meanwhile, all the stakeholders in the industry, who are still finding their feet, are excited that this gap has finally given a premium price to their product.
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