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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 Shudra, most henna artists were normally members of the Shudra varna.
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Shudra Term Timeline in The Henna Artist
The timeline below shows where the term Shudra appears in The Henna Artist. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1
Normally, low- caste Shudra women do henna. But while Shudra henna artists traditionally do simple patterns, Lakshmi’s designs tell...
(full context)
Chapter 3
...her story, Radha wonders why her sister has taken on work usually associated with the Shudra caste . “It was better than being a whore,” Lakshmi replies, and the two sisters lapse...
(full context)
