The Henna Artist Terms

In Hindu culture, the Brahmin castes are traditionally associated with priesthood and teaching. For that reason, Brahmins are members of the highest varna (social class), though Lakshmi herself does not experience this status, as she… read analysis of Brahmin

The caste system organizes Indian culture into an unequal and often prohibitive hierarchy; though the different varnas, or social classes, have their origins in the ancient Hindu Vedic texts, the caste system was more formally… read analysis of Caste

Henna (or mehndi, in Hindi) is a form of body art in which artists use henna paste—the ground up parts of a Lawsonia enermis plant mixed with lemon, water, and sugar—to decorate their clients’… read analysis of Henna

Ji is a term of respect and endearment; as Joshi herself puts it, “the addition of ji to a person’s name […] accords them respect and reverence.” Often, the novel uses the word to refer… read analysis of Ji

A mandala is a large, circular pattern, created from colorful sand or other ground powders. Mandalas are inherently impermanent, and so they were usually created for ceremonies or other special occasions, often by the women… read analysis of Mandala

Nautch means “dance” in Hindi, so nautch girls are technically dancing girls, trained in a variety of specific routines. By the 1950s, however, the term “nautch girl” had taken on a variety of connotations, often… read analysis of Nautch girls

Literally, a pandit is a priest or teacher; in The Henna Artist, pandit often refers to the Brahmin men who are hired to perform rituals or ceremonies (like Lakshmi’s wedding to Hari or… read analysis of Pandit

Partition refers to the formation of the new nation of Pakistan, and to the mass migration of Hindus and Muslims that occurred after the dissolution of the British Raj (colonial government). Partition began the day… read analysis of Partition

The Rajput castes (a subset of the Kshatriya varna, or social class) were historically warriors; by the 1950s, when Lakshmi lives and works in Jaipur, Rajputs were associated with economic wealth and political power. Indira… read analysis of Rajput

A sari, or a large woven piece of cloth, is one of the most common women’s garments in India. Saris can be made of many different materials; in The Henna Artist, the material often… read analysis of Sari

The Shudra varna (social class) is the lowest rank of the Hindu caste system. Shudras were historically artisans and laborers and were traditionally expected to serve the higher castes. Though Lakshmi herself is not a… read analysis of Shudra

The word tiffin has its roots in the colonial British practice of afternoon tea, but by the time the novel begins, tiffin usually refers to a metal carrying case, designed to keep lunch or late-afternoon… read analysis of Tiffin

Tonga is the Hindi word for rickshaw, or a small cart pulled by horses. As Lakshmi, Radha and Malik navigate from one end of Jaipur to the other, they rely on tongas—which can be… read analysis of Tonga

The Hindi word walla literally translates to one in charge, or the person who is responsible for a task; when it is attached to a noun, walla signifies somebody who works in a certain job… read analysis of Walla