Alta (Also known as Mahawar or Red Bengal), is the vibrant red dye that is used to don women, mostly belonging to the Indian territories of Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan and Orissa. Primarily worn on a bride’s hands and feet, Alta is even applied by Indian Classical Dancers, moreso to accentuate their dramatic hand and feet movements or mudras.
Made originally from Betel leaves ( commonly knows as the paan leaf), this red hue of the Alta, is significant of blood and hence stands for fertility and prosperity.
Of course, any Bangali reading this would know these details, but that’s exactly why I’m mentioning them. Not many would know that this custom of decorating the feet and hands with Alta (which is one of the ‘Solah Shringar’ mentioned in our Vedas), came before even the tradition of wearing Mehendi, in the history of Indian Bridal Adornments. ‘Henna’ or ‘Mehendi’ is a Muslim Influence brought about by the Mughals. There are even tales of Lord Krishna applying Alta on Radha’s feet which truly speak volumes of the Indianness of Alta much more than Mehendi.

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