Alta (dye)
{{short description|Red dye applied to hands and feet during weddings and festivals}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
File:Hand_of_Bride.jpg ceremony]]
Alta ({{langx|bn|আলতা}}), lakshaya rasa, alah, or mahavar is a red dye mainly used in the Indian subcontinent{{Cite news |script-title=bn:আলতা |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/education/2019/11/07/836116|access-date=17 October 2020|work=Kaler Kantho|date=6 November 2019 |language=bn}}{{Cite web |script-title=bn:আলতা রাঙা পা|url=https://www.daily-bangladesh.com/lifestyle/51917|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Daily Bangladesh|language=bn}}{{Cite web|title=Bengali Hindu Wedding - Rituals, Customs, Dress, Food|url=https://www.culturalindia.net/weddings/regional-weddings/bengali-wedding.html|access-date=17 October 2020|website=www.culturalindia.net|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Newari girls participate in mass Bel Bibaha [with photos]|url=https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2017/02/26/newari-girls-participate-in-mass-bel-bibaha|access-date=17 October 2020|website=kathmandupost.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Shrestha|first=Shreeya|date=November 2017|title=An Elaborate Ritual called Marriage|url=http://ecs.com.np/festival/an-elaborate-ritual-called-marriage|access-date=17 October 2020|website=ECS NEPAL|language=en}} 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 red lac, although today it is mainly replaced with synthetic dyes.{{cite news |last1=Rath |first1=Bikash |title=A sacred dye to return |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/a-sacred-dye-to-return-46133 |work=Down To Earth |date=2 September 2014 |language=en}} "Originally prepared from lac and hence known as lakshya rasa in Sanskrit, this dye has long been replaced by synthetic products in the market that most users were unaware of."
Early history
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.{{cite web |title=Alta : The Red Indian Dye and its Significance |url=https://enrouteindianhistory.com/alta-the-red-indian-dye-and-its-significance/ |website=Enroute Indian History |date=18 September 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Assomull |first1=Sujata |title=“dhon” makes a case for the traditional alta in the brand's latest campaign |url=https://www.vogue.in/fashion/content/sabyasachi-red-makes-a-case-for-the-traditional-alta-in-the-brands-latest-campaign |website=Vogue India |language=en-IN |date=16 January 2023}}
Cultural significance
Alta has great cultural significance in Bengali and Odia culture{{Cite news |script-title=bn:ଅଳତା আলতা |url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/print-edition/education/2019/11/07/836116|access-date=29 September 2020|work=Kaler Kantho|date=6 November 2019 |language=bn}}{{Cite web |script-title=bn:আলতা রাঙা পা|url=https://daily-bangladesh.com/lifestyle/51917|access-date=15 October 2020|website=Daily Bangladesh|language=bn}}{{Cite web|last=প্রামাণিক|first=কল্লোল|title=পায়ে আলতা পরিয়ে শুভলগ্ন রাঙিয়ে তোলেন তিনি|url=https://www.anandabazar.com/district/nadia-murshidabad/they-remembers-him-at-the-time-of-marriage-1.845378|access-date=16 October 2020|website=anandabazar.com|language=bn}} Regardless of religious beliefs, women traditionally adorn their hands and feet with alta for marriage{{cite web | url=https://www.e-barta247.com/archive/details?n=5507 | title=দাও গায়ে হলুদ, পায়ে আলতা |website=e-barta247.com |language=bn}}{{Cite web|title=Learn How Bengali Mehndi Blends Simplicity, Authenticity and Ethnicity on the Wedding Day|url=https://www.weddingwire.in/wedding-tips/bengali-mehndi--c3407|access-date=16 October 2020|website=www.weddingwire.in|language=en-IN}} and cultural festivals like Pohela Baishakh, Pohela Falgun and others.{{Cite news |script-title=bn:আলতা রাঙা বৈশাখ |url=https://archive.ittefaq.com.bd/index.php?ref=MjBfMDRfMDhfMTRfNF8xNF8xXzEyMTUyNA== |access-date=30 December 2020 |work=The Daily Ittefaq |language=bn}}{{Cite web|title=আলতা পরা পায়ে|url=https://m.newsg24.com/lifestyle/fashion/544/%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%86%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%B2%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%A4%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%BE%20%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%AA%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%B0%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%BE%20%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%AA%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%BE%C3%A0%C2%A7%C2%9F%C3%A0%C2%A7%C2%87|access-date=30 December 2020|website=m.newsg24.com|language=bn|archive-date=26 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726102613/https://m.newsg24.com/lifestyle/fashion/544/%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%86%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%B2%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%A4%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%BE%20%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%AA%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%B0%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%BE%20%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%AA%C3%A0%C2%A6%C2%BE%C3%A0%C2%A7%C2%9F%C3%A0%C2%A7%C2%87|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=বৈশাখী উন্মাদনার ঢেউ শাবিতে|url=https://m.banglanews24.com/cat/news/bd/384643.details|access-date=30 December 2020|website=banglanews24.com|language=bn|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017032055/https://m.banglanews24.com/cat/news/bd/384643.details|url-status=dead}} Wearing alta on Durga Puja is a common ritual for Odia and Bengali women.{{Cite web|date=17 November 2016|title=Alta Dye: Bright Red Liquid Color Used to Adorn Palms and Feet|url=https://www.utsavpedia.com/cultural-connections/alta/|access-date=25 May 2021|website=Utsavpedia|language=en-US}}File:Odissi Performance DS.jpg
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).{{Cite web|title=Odisha Tourism : Raja, A Festival Of Fun, Frolic and Mouthwatering Delicacies|url=https://odishatourism.gov.in/content/tourism/en/blog-details.html?url=raja-a-festival-of-fun-frolic-and-mouthwatering-delicacies|access-date=25 May 2021|website=odishatourism.gov.in|language=en}}
In Nepal it is known as alah and it is an important part of weddings, religious rituals and festivals.{{cite web |title=The Allure of Alta: A Symbol of Prosperity, Reimagined As A Fashion Accessory |url=https://www.herzindagi.com/fashion/the-allure-of-alta-a-symbol-of-prosperity-reimagined-as-a-fashion-accessory-article-239705 |website=HerZindagi English |language=en |date=29 July 2023}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Bengali wedding}}
{{Indian wedding}}
{{Worship in Hinduism}}
Category:Indian wedding traditions
Category:Culture of Bangladesh
Category:Bangladeshi wedding traditions