Bindis and Bruises
The Bindi has many names, Kumkum, tilak, Sindoor, etc. It is placed between the eyebrows, as the place of the 6th Chakra of wisdom. It is the symbol of the third eye looking into the soul. Kumkum, or vermilion, red in color is of auspicious significance for women. It is mark of marriage and of Shakti, the Goddess of Strength. Today the Bindi is a mark of decoration and depicted with a sticker. It has lost it’s meaning of strength and wisdom but is still required as a mark of marriage or ownership. Many women adorn with pride the vermillion mark as a sign of marriage, yet hide the many marks that exist internally. Today in India, more than 68% of women endure domestic and or sexual abuse. The work, “Bindis and Bruises” started out as an exploration in Visual Arts through painted masks showing abuse. Now it is a dance production that is not only creating awareness through different episodes of abuse, but with a focus on creating a solution through Contemporary Indian Classical Dance.
