Hands and feet stained in beautiful patterns of red are getting an upgrade — the traditional Alta is now being embraced and flaunted by the glam brigade. While songs have been written about the romance of Mehendi and its symbolism, Alta has somehow been left behind.Actor Aditi Rao Hydari flaunted Alta-stained hands and feet with a beautiful and delicate pattern for her wedding. Actor Sonam Kapoor’s Alta-stained hands and feet trended as she attended the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations hosted by the Ambani family. Sonam chose to go bold with the Alta stain on her feet, covering half of them. Last year, designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s bridal heritage collection was revealed on Instagram. The caption paid homage to the beauty of the colour red: "Red is not seasonal, it is iconic." While the models wore gorgeous Sabyasachi outfits, the alta adorning their hands and feet made it an iconic campaign. Sabyasachi decided to cover the arms with Alta, blending it with the sleeves of the outfit.
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Alta, also known as Lakshaya Rasa, Alah, or Mahavar, is a bright red liquid dye that women apply to their feet and hands in intricate patterns, or sometimes stain with nothing more elaborate than circles and lines. A symbol of fertility, Alta traces its history to ancient India. The Upanishads mention Alta as one of the 16 adornments of a woman, known as Solah Shringar.Originally made from lac, Alta has evolved over time, with modern variations incorporating betel leaves (paan), vermilion, and kumkum powder. Traditionally a symbol of fertility and prosperity, Alta holds deep cultural significance in East Indian weddings and festive rituals.In Odisha, for example, it plays a central role during Raja or Mithun Sankranti, a festival honouring the divine feminine, where women adorn their feet with vibrant Alta. Meanwhile, in Bengal and Bihar, this striking red dye is a cherished part of wedding ceremonies and religious celebrations.
