Henna artists share the trends shaping this year’s festive looks, from personalised illustrations to modern alternatives to traditional mehendi.
I have been applying mehendi to around 100-150 people in a day,” says Soni.
Soni Khan, an NCR-based mehendi artist, says clients are asking for illustrations in intricate mehendi styles. Shruti, a Gen Z freelance mehendi artist, says, “Sketch henna, which is preferred by women who are pregnant but want to partake in Karwa Chauth festivities, costs ₹4,100 per pair of hands, with designs extending up to the elbows.” designs are evolving to reflect individual preferences While traditional mehendi remains an integral part of Karwa Chauth. “Some clients are opting for pichhwai-inspired heritage art, while others want minimal yet intricate patterns. For those who want to experiment beyond natural henna, pink mehendi and kundan detailing offer different ways to style their hands. Yash, a freelance mehendi artist who has set up stalls in Ghaziabad and Gurgaon, describes pink mehendi as an alternative for clients who want to coordinate their designs with their outfits. “Pink mehendi is a unique art in which we mix acrylic colours with special ingredients and apply them to the hands. Unlike regular mehendi, it does not leave a permanent stain. Once it dries and is removed, the colour gradually disappears, making it ideal for a one-day Karwa Chauth event. Clients are choosing from a wide range of colour tones to complement their outfit or event theme. Kundan mehendi, meanwhile, adds embellishment to sketch mehendi designs.
