Bindi movement: Not just a pretty dot

The bindi is not just an accessory, but also a symbol of South Asian cultural heritage with deeper meanings. This week (March 8 to 14) is #reclaimthebindi (RTB) week, which celebrates South Asian women and fights back against cultural appropriation. With several white celebrities coming under fire for using black, Asian and even Native American culture as a prop, this movement is catching fire — and ostensibly so. We talk to women of Tamil origin all over the world on why this movement is one that needs to be noticed.

A student in Malaysia, Pereesh Kunesakran, is one of the many women who posted a picture of herself with a bindi, as part of RTB. She tells us, “It’s extremely important to me, because it educates people that our culture isn’t a fashion trend, and that one shouldn’t be wearing henna tattoos or bindis without knowing the significance to those who wear it. Cultural appropriation and appreciation are different. To me, the former is learning about a different culture with respect and trying to understand it. Whereas, appropriation is the use of symbols and traditions of a different culture without having any knowledge of its importance.”

Another student in the country, Lishyarini Sivarajah adds, “Indians here are looked upon as migrants. Some believe dark skin is unappealing and there are a few people who even regard the bindi as a demonic symbol, which I do not understand at all!” She goes on to say, “I was elated at the wonderful impact RTB is making. The bindi is more than just a symbolic representation and it shouldn’t be exploited. This is why I joined in; to start a spark to begin with.”

Canadian Musissha Jeganathan was also just as happy to be part of the movement — “I used to hate it when my mother forced me to wear bindis to elementary school, because I hated answering all the questions people asked. It’s great that the movement is bringing out the real purpose as to why women wear bindis and letting us voice our cultural beings.”

To get the other point of view, we also spoke to a French expat in the city, singer Anouk Algrain about her wearing bindis, and her reply — “I believe the bindi is worn by married women and also to look pretty. I don’t wear the red bindis because I’m not Hindu, but I don’t mind accessorising with the ones that have designs and gemstones on them.”

Anushka Uniyal Saxena, a makeup artist in Chennai, also has much to say about the significance of the little dot. “One of the reasons Indians wear the bindi is because it symbolises the mind chakra. We also apply kumkum on the forehead during poojas. There are several different meanings to bindis that are deep-rooted in tradition, and it’s definitely not an accessory.” The movement leaves no stone unturned in asking Indian women to take back their heritage from becoming just a mere piece of jewellery and to be proud of their roots. Let’s #reclaimthebindi now!