Solah Shringar - The 16 Adornments of a Hindu Bride

HUBPAGES
By Anamika S

Hindu Bride Image with Solah Shringar

INDIA - Every Bride wants to look like a princess on her Wedding Day. Solah Shringar refers to the sixteen adornments of a Bride (Woman) for beautification. Solah Shringar is especially important for an Indian bride on the most significant day of her life. Different kinds of beauty rituals are associated with the wedding day. In India, the beautification of the bride consists of sixteen parts and covers almost every part of the body right from the head to the toe. The Solah Shringar ritual is said to correspond to the sixteen phases of the moon which has a negative effect on the woman’s menstrual cycle. Solah Shringar is said to nullify this effect. The term shringar is also associated with Goddess Lakshmi, who is a model wife and the representation of female beauty, good luck, prosperity and fertility. [link]

AOA Summary:

1. Red colored wedding sari (wedding dress)
2. Brides hair is then styled and adorned with flowers and jewelry.
3. The eyes are highlighted with Kajal or kohl to make it more attractive and appealing.
4. Bindi is put on the bride’s forehead and decorated with red and white dots around it and along the eyebrows.
5. Maangtika is worn on the central parting of the hair of the bride mostly made out of gold.
6. Nose Ring is worn on the left nostril and is supported by a gold chain, which extends just behind left ear.
7. Ear rings adorn the ears of the bride. Since the ear rings worn by bride are quite heavy they are normally supported by a gold chain passing over the crown of the head.
8. Mangalsutra necklace is worn around the neck is tied by the groom during the wedding rituals.
9. Baajuband or armlets are worn on the upper arms of the bride over the sari blouse.
10. Mehendi is another significant shringar of the bride which is applied on the bride's hands and feet.
11. Bangles or bracelets made of gold, glass or other metals depending upon the custom.
12. Eight rings in both her hands, which are attached with a central flower or medallion that covers the upper part of the hand called hathphulor.
13. Kamarband is a beautifully designed gold or silver belt is worn around the waist of the bride.
14. Silver anklets are worn on the ankles of the bride and toes are adorned with toe rings made of silver. The feet are also decorated.
15. Itar or fragrance is applied on to the bride to keep her fresh and smelling good.
16. Sindoor is applied on the central parting of the hair during the wedding ceremony.

Read More

Collecting Retablos

The New Mexico State University has the largest U.S. collection of "Retablos" (over 1700). Later this year, the university will feature a major exhibit of this collection. I will follow the news from the university to keep readers up to date on the coming display.

Read More

Catholics Angry at PETA ads

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By Tahlib

The model Joanna Krupa's new PETA ads are attracting angry voices of many religious reactionaries. The model recently appeared nearly nude in an ad for PETA where she sports angel wings and having a crucifix placed on her body. The ad says “Be an angel for animals” as shown left. The campaign is to encourage people to adopt pets instead of buying them. The PETA ad however has made the Catholic League angry. They feel that the naked Joanna Krupa holding the religious symbol is blasphemy. (Source: Island Crisis)

Read More

Conversation with R. Crumb on "Genesis Illuminated"

Read More

Indianapolis Museum of Art Organizes Exhibition Devoted to Sacred Art of Spain

AOA NEWS

Francesco de Zurbaran, "Agnus Dei" (1636-1640) Oilk on canvas

INDIANA — The first exhibition to examine the religious visual culture of 17th-century Spain and Latin America will premiere at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on October 11, 2009. Sacred Spain: Art and Belief in the Spanish World brings to life the challenges faced by visual artists such as El Greco, Diego Velázquez, Francisco de Zurbarán, Alonso Cano, Franciso Ribalta, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Juan de Valdes Leal, Juan Correa, Cristobal de Villalpando and others, who were charged with the creative task of making religious images that were useful, truthful and moving. The exhibition will feature more than 70 works of art, including paintings, polychrome sculpture, metalwork and books, many of which have never before been seen in the United States. Sacred Spain will be on view exclusively in Indianapolis from October 11, 2009 through January 3, 2010. [link]

Read More

Sacred Spain: Art & Belief in the Spanish World is Coming to the Indianapolis

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS NEWS
By TAHLIB
 

INDIANA---The first exhibition to examine the religious visual culture of 17th-century Spain and Latin America will open at the Indianapolis Museum of Art on October 11, 2009. "Sacred Spain: Art and Belief in the Spanish World" brings to life the challenges faced by visual artists such as El Greco, Francisco Zurbarán, Alonso Cano, Franciso Ribalta, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Juan de Valdes Leal, Juan Correa, Cristobal Villalpando and others, who were charged with the creative task of making religious imagery that was useful, truthful and moving. The exhibition will feature 70 works—including paintings, polychrome sculpture, metalwork and books, many of which have never before been seen in the United States—that not only illustrate religious iconography and allegory, but also bring to light the significant role of the artist in 17th-century Spain. [link]

Read More

Sacred Spaces: SS Francis and Claire RCC | Greenwood, IN

AOA NEWS
By Ernest Britton

INDIANA - Located in the southside of Indianapolis metropolitan area, Saints Francis and Claire Roman Catholic Church is a beautiful modern church eclipsed by the oversized religious art. The clean modern architecture based on classic, historical cruciform feels like an open amphitheater and it's monochromatic colors are an ideal backdrop for the massive near life-sized crucifix and statuettes of the Saints Assi and Clare.

Read More