Alta (dye)
Alta, lakshaya rasa, alah, parani, vasantam or mahavar is a red dye mainly used in the Indian subcontinent to tint the hands and feet of women as a cultural practice. It is usually applied with a cotton swab or brush during wedding ceremonies and festivals.
Natural alta is produced from red lac, although today it is mainly replaced with synthetic dyes.
Early history
Early mention of alta comes from Upanishads where it is known as lakshaya rasa meaning red-lac dye pigment derived from lac resin as one of sixteen adornments of woman known as solah-shringar.Cultural significance
Alta has great cultural significance in Bengali, Bhojpuri and Odia culture Regardless of religious beliefs, women traditionally adorn their hands and feet with alta for marriage and cultural festivals like Pohela Baishakh, Pohela Falgun and others. Wearing alta on Durga Puja is a common ritual for Odia and Bengali women.It can be commonly seen worn by Odissi classical dancers on hands and feet while performing. It is applied to women's feet as an auspicious symbol during Raja, which is a three-day festival celebrating womanhood.
It is known as parani in south India and in a very diluted form Parani is also known as vasantam, meaning spring. It is worn by women and children on festive occasions, and also by Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Mohiniattam dancers.
In Nepal it is known as alah and it is an important part of weddings, religious rituals and festivals.