A competition that took them back to their salad days

The Municipal Town Hall here on Tuesday witnessed a rare competition that could not only bring in a lot of cheer but also transport the participants to their nostalgic days of youthfulness. Dozens of elderly women who took part in the ‘henna’ competition along with their granddaughters had some of the most beautiful moments of their life, thanks to the novel initiative by the Malappuram municipality. It was part of the municipality’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

The Municipal Town Hall here on Tuesday witnessed a rare competition that could not only bring in a lot of cheer but also transport the participants to their nostalgic days of youthfulness.

Dozens of elderly women who took part in the ‘henna’ competition along with their granddaughters had some of the most beautiful moments of their life, thanks to the novel initiative by the Malappuram municipality. It was part of the municipality’s Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

“It’s the first time that we applied henna on our palms. We can’t express the joy that we experience now. It’s such a wonderful feeling,” said Usha Kumari and Kausalya. There were two others too in the crowd who had their first henna experience.

Their grandchildren, who were part of the Kudumbashree Balasabha, applied henna on the gnarled and chalky hands. The women were in their 60s, 70s, and 80s, but they displayed a rare enthusiasm and childlike innocence. “I can’t believe my eyes. I want this to happen every year,” said septuagenarian Subaida.

Many of them applied henna after decades. Some said they rued briefly how they had missed their salad days.

The municipality organised the event by joining hands with the Vayomitram and Kudumbashree Balasabha projects. Women aged between 60 and 85 took part in the competition.

For 84-year-old Khadeeja, it was revival of her youthful days. “I never could apply henna for the past 20 years. My husband died seven years ago. He had been ill for about 10 years. Life is like that,” she whimpered.