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Enroute Indian History ®
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Alta derives its historical reference from the Sanskrit word ‘Lakshaya Rasa,’ meaning Lac. It is an eco-friendly and sustainable Shringaar native to the Indian subcontinent. Bright red, the traditional Alta was made with the help of beetle levees, nuts, and lac. The beetal leaves were left soaked in water for a long time resulting in a thick red color. Painting the soles with this red dye and adorning the upper foot with elaborate designs to bring out the beauty of a traditional Indian bride is a common practice in the north, central, and eastern parts of India. lta’s reference can also be found in many Sanskrit literature such as Kalidasa’s Abhijnyana-Shakuntalam where the protagonist - Shakuntala is mentioned adorning her hands and feet with this red dye. While Alta’s most evident visual reference is associated with Hindu goddesses, Lakshmi, and Durga, it is interesting to note that Krishna, a male deity is very frequently associated with wearing Alta. Krishna adorns the red dye on his palms and feet, he even wears a nose ring and anklets and stands with a bent stance -Tribhanga, which is ‘feminine’ in nature that earns him the title, Banke Bihari. The feet of Krishna performing Raas-leela with gopis are soaked red in Alta and almost seem like those of a dancer. Even the famous Thumri composition - ‘Nar ko Naari Banao’ describes the women of Gokul grabbing little Krishna and making him wear a skirt and dyeing his hands and feet red with Alta. The use of Alta is also necessary in a post-wedding ritual. When a new bride enters her in-law's house for the first time, she is supposed to dip her feet in a thal of Alta and then walk inside the house leaving a trail of her feet symbolizing the entrance of Lakshmi into the household. #history #heritage #ancientindia #alta #lakshayarasa #lac #brightcolours #red #gokul #reddye #tribhanga #shringaar # #krishna # #lakshmi #historical #exploreindia #exploredelhi #history #explorepage #likeformore #instagram #instalike #shareformore #dailycontent #historical #facts #themeoftheweek #ancientbeautyandcosmotology #beauty #shringaar #enrouteindianhistory