Dear Pavi, Thanks for your F B. This is a very old post written mainly with the N R I parents in mind who have to answer all these questions. Please read the "why do we" series completely, when you find time. We understand our tradition better. Love, Chith.
hi Chitraji, i came to know about this thread through home page after such a long time it was opened i read from starting it was really great. when i was in tenth std since that time i wanted to know why male teachers in ours school are applying different shapes of tilak all are south indian they should wear same. in north they have same long read from middle of eyebrows done with help for male and round done with ring finger for females. today i got answer. thanks. bye padma
Dear Padma, Thankyou for the feedback. Please click on Hindu Culture You will go to the index of all culture articles. I am sure you will enjoy reading them. Love, Chithra.
hi chitraji i've gt a question. why is it that unmarried girls are not allowed to wear red kunkumam or red sticker pottu? any reasoning behind that? thank u p.s ur explanations of religious marks are really good.
Dear Maya, Thankyou. It is purely social - the reasons you have asked for ! There is no specific reason at all; may be to distinguish between married & unmarried for the onlooker ! Love, Chithra.
thank you very much for ur prompt reply chitraji. and i am definitely learning alot from u.hope keep the posts coming always. love
Rightly said! Hello Mrs. C Nicely said. A great explanation. Nowadays women don't keep pottu if they wear modern dresses. They think it is not a style or fashion. Whatever practice our elders have followed have some scientific reason by itself. The only thing is that they don't explain it to the following generations. Many americans have asked me about the importance and why some people don't follow them. They also ask about the colors of pottu? And sometimes i felt speechless and ofcourse ashamed. Sorry for asking Mrs. C Can you explain the importance of Thirumangalyam too. Because some of my friends treat is an ornament and will wear it only with indian dresses. Hope your explanation makes women follow their tradition and culture. Regards GK
Dear GK, Unless we wear "kumkumam", it is not relevant at all! But Everybody is allergic to the same including yours truly! We have to resort to sticker bindi choicelessly! I do not think it can be said to have a significance except ornamental. Besides, a few say that they do not want to reveal their nativity by such religious marks, when they live in an alien country. It may be to their disadvantage. That also sounds reasonable. I do not think thirumangalyam is anything other than social.It must have been worn to indicate to others that the woman is married. I think it is more a symbol than anything traditionally significant.It is sentimental to women, I don't deny! My patti used to say this, in tamil அர்ஜுனன் போல ஆம்படையான் இருக்க அச்சான்யம் போல தாலி எதுக்கு? What do you say for this? Love, Chithra.
:bowdown:bowdown:bowdown to you and your patti. Any idea why we have allergic to K nowadays. In those days, where they made with some natural stuff?
Dear Nands, I think the pesticide used in growing turmeric does this, perhaps? I attribute it to such reasons! Love, Chithra.