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The Human Body as a Medium of Art

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Keywords: art, temporary, ephemeral, henna, body art

Ash Covered Face of a Fortune Teller
	"Sumangali" -- Portrait of a Traditional Indian Woman A vermilion mark on the forehead is considered to bring good luck.
Painted Face of a Devotee Pictures of the mysterious Yellamma cult
	Man Gets a Tattoo by Roadside The Village of Chandanpur, 1976
Tattoos of a Tribal Woman The Kajuraho Folk Festival, 1977
	Fashionable Daughter of the Jungle Notice the tattoos, pierced jewelry, and other decorations of this tribal woman photographed in the forests of Central India, 1977
The Henna Art of the Feet of a Bride
	Declaring Religious Allegiance A Shaiva devotee with sacred ash on forehead
The Painted Hands of a Bride
	Horizontal and Vertical Markings The distinctive head markings (namas) identify the sects of Hinduism. Shaivites paint bands across their foreheads (left). Vaishnavites, adherents of Vishnu, wear three vertical lines (right).

Kamat's Potpourri The Human Body as a Medium of Art