Indian Culture/forehead dots

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Expert: Surjit Singh - 9/8/2007


Question
I was wondering how do the indian girls and woman actually get the black and red dots? How do they do it? Is it permenent? what is the procedure?

Answer
Hi
No the dots are not permanent. The dot (or sometimes very elaborate design) on the forehead is made with lipstick, or sindhoor (Vermillion powder) or is even available readymade in the form of a sticker. It is called a bindi and was originally a sign of marriage. Unmarried women and widows were not supposed to wear it. However with the passage of time all women wear it regardless of marital status.
Regards and best wishes
Surjit Singh

Indian Culture

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Surjit Singh

Expertise

Specifically, I can answer questions on Indian Classical Music. I am a classically trained flautist and a student of the Late Padma Bhushan Pundit V.G.Jog. I have been learning music for the last 20 years. Although I am not a professional musician I have a vast knowledge of music and occasionally play fusion music with friends here in Kolkata India who are Jazz musicians

Experience

20 Years of playing and learning the Indian Classical Flute. I was the only one to be personally invited to the flute fusion concert in Mumbai by Pundit Hari Prasad Chaurasia when he played with Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull

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