“Green is the colour of Hena leaves, when applied to the palms of brides, they lend the happy hue of red. I am blessed to have the beautiful hues of Hena, around me, they make me capable of bringing smiles to others.”
— Veena Nagda, Mehndi queen of Bollywood
Decades ago, a typical Gujrati family meant ; boys and men at work or study or business and ,a girl , post puberty, knitting or preparing the relishing chutneys with her mother and aunts for the rich snacks that the whole family would have together, when the men came back home. However, It wouldn’t be just to say that every family in Gujrat smelt of the pungent patriarchy, to some, girls were no less than boys, but most of them believed that women were supposed to take charge of kitchen and engage in some craft that could keep them active. Veena Nagda was one of those girls who were stopped from going outside for the reason that a girl needed the safe zone of home , once she stepped into her teens. This was merely the beginning of a journey which was going to be an inspiration for millions of her tribe.
Generation x, can be called the technology deprived generation, when sitting at home didn’t mean growing a Nyka, like Falguni Nayar did, instead it was sailing on a slow boat that was waiting for its sailer to come like the prince charming and take charge of the rudder. Things were however not made to happen in this usual way for Veena as she felt a deep seated urge that spoke to her at a higher level , “this is not your story, you have to write a different one”
As we listen to her story and go deeper into the conversation with the reigning mehndi virtuoso, an air of self belief fills in the pauses, the popular quote of William Shakespeare echoes in the background……..
“It is not in our stars to hold out destiny but in ourselves”
— William Shakespeare
The saga behind the mystique artistry is not a one day charisma or not even that a Godfather’s blessing hands fell upon her, but it was her passion stiched intricately into the fabric of patience, weaving the ties of perseverance. The magic was bound to happen one day . As she ambles through the alleys of past , the spark in her tone feels like a melody of true feelings and she goes on like the summer song of a crispy sunshine…
Q What brought you to this unique profession ?
I am from a Gujrati family. Born and brought up in a conservative family of Kutch, I was not allowed to go ahead for college education.When I passed my 10th grade, my mother said that I should stay at home and learn embroidery. I had no choice as it was a kind of well established fact that a young girl had to be at home to learn some feminine stuff. I had no complaints but something inside me was trying to pull me towards an undefined goal. I didn’t know much , I continued with embroidery. Sitting frpm 10 to 6 with my mother, I learnt and practiced a lot of embroidery patters. we did mirror work, Kutch work , etc
Q How did embroidery get you to Hena designing ?
Yes, anyone will think that these two arts are so different. I was quite absorbed in embroidery and pretty much occupied with small orders from neighbourhood.
We used to get Rs 6 for 100 mirrors in a mirror work order. It was very popular then. One fine day our family doctor asked me to do hena for his daughter on her wedding. In the beginning I was hesitant but due to family ties, I gave my nod to it. My sister thought that I could do the henna well as by then I had gained perfection in embroidery. Take a cone and just lay down your embroidery pattern there, she opined. Since there was no question of safety issues, I didn’t find any problem in getting everyone’s nod. Eventually I went ahead, expecting nothing in return except for a gift from the doctor as he used to travel abroad for his work. I can not forget the day as it brought to me a pleasant surprise. Popular film actress Poonam Dhillon showed up at the wedding because she was the bride’s friend. She appreciated my work and was extremely mesmerized by the intricately carved design with super clarity. Though, she wanted the henna to be done only on one hand, my work made her go for the second hand too. Her words of appreciation turned over a new leaf in my life and I got the ball rolling into a beautiful horizon of explorations.
Q Did you face challenges ?
Nothing comes easy . Everyone has to fight their own battle. So did I . I never deviated from my passion. Poonam Dhillon’s words and the fact that I applied Mehndi to her, spread like the wildfire and my name was up in the air. Challenges had just begun. It was in the year 1979, when this beautiful thing happened to me. However, I had to manage my happiness and get back to knee burning long hours of work. I started taking orders for henna application too. Embroidery was already there. Then I got 10Rs per hand . My mother supported me but my father still didn’t want me to stay outside. Most of the orders came from people whom we knew.
Q. How did you get your first break in Bollywood ?
Back then, I received an order from a well known Gujrati family . Their friends were Punjabis. I happened to meet Priya Sindhi, Ekta kapoor’s maternal uncle’s daughter. In awe of my delicate carvings at the wedding, she invited me for her sister’s wedding. I went and saw a pool of film stars there. Jitendra ji, Shobha Kapoor, Neetu Singh and many others. Then I received an order for Falguni Pathak’s album,Maine payal hai Jhankai. A special mehndi art was required in the album. It is called, Zari Mehndi. The ususal hena was mixed with zardozi and it came out to be an exquisite one. The album was appreciated by Karan Johar. I got a call from Dharma Productions. There I was asked to carve some designs and then when those designs were approved, I got the first orders ; Kajol and kareena Kapoor were my very first clients from Bollywood. Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum, gave me the first break in Bollywood. Since then I never looked back.
Q. What have you learnt from your life experiences ?
One thing I believe in, is that if you take your work as your religion, you never know how the universe will shower pleasant surprises upon you. I never waited for a miracle, I simply did my work with unlimate passion and vigour. I never went to Mehndi classes but learnt from persistent practice on my own.
Q We have read that you have applied hena to most of the actors on their wedding.
Yes, this is true. I have been to Ambanis too. I have applied hena to Twinkle Khanna, Shilpa Shetty, Sonam kapoor, deepika padukone,Yuvraj and his bride, Varun dhawan and recently I did a unique one on Ankita Lokhande on her wedddng.
Q what is your message to the youngsters ?
You are lucky to be born in an age when you have a well knit support system for pursuing your passion. Remember, education is your primary asset , however pursuing passion and treating it like your baby can bring you immense success. Patience, Patience and Patience. Do not expect anything within blinks of time.
Veena Nagda’s story ia a living evidence of the fact that the universe conspires to make your dreams come true , if you give back your dedication, determination and devotion. Her story is full of challenges and the interesting thing to be noted is that she took those challenges with zero expectations and 100 percent dedication. Tears are not solutions to our problems, we need to find the thread of our own strength from the fabric , called Life.. Furthermore, Veena Nagda is full of gratitude. She pays her sincerest reverence to each one of those people who made her stand. She is simplicity wrapped in serendipity . She believes in winning hearts. With her profound talent and love for people, she is proud if having made a good number of bonds. Most of her clients have now turned grandmothers , she was called for their daughters' wedding and now for their grand daughters’. Ambanis are examples to this category of her loved people.
Listen to this Podcast to access the full interview.