A Bindi Can Be...

A young girl learns all about bindis, the coloured dot worn at the center of the forehead between the eyebrows by many South Asian women. The word bindi comes from the Sanskrit work bindu, which means ‘dot’. A bindi is called by many different names in South Asian culture, including sindhoor, pottu, teep, kunkumam, tikli, bottu and tilak.

Paati, her grandmother, shows the young girl how to make her own bindi. Only a few ingredients are needed: crushed turmeric and kunkumam stone. They are mixed and mixed until the mixture turns from yellow to bright red. A pinch of sandalwood powder and a spoonful of ghee are then added. Today, bindis can be found as liquid or stickers that come in all shapes, sizes, textures and colours.

Bindis can be big, small and all kinds of shapes. They are worn on special occasions such as Diwali, the festival of lights, Navratri, the festival of nine nights and Vaisakhi, the harvest festival. Bindis are also worn as a decoration and to celebrate all parts of life. Anybody can wear a bindi, and every moment is a great reason to wear one. Even on an ordinary day, a bindi helps to keep the story’s young girl centered and calm. It is believed that the area between the eyebrows, where the bindi is placed, carries an energy center or a chakra.

Illustrator Kamala Nair creates beautiful images of the young girl enjoying her bindis. The colour contrast and details create interesting illustrations that keep readers engaged in the story.

A Bindi Can Be... is a beautiful story that shares the background of bindis, Because many people wear them and others may wonder what they are, Subramaniam’s story creates a positive segue to Indian culture and traditions.