Nasreen Rajabali

Hi, and thank you for visiting for visiting me at mehndidesign.co.uk

I am an East African born in Uganda . In 1976 I emigrated to England with my family and have been a resident in England since.

I started studying mehndi at the age of 10 in the context of family celebrations, decorating hands and feet in the traditional style for relatives and friends. At the age of 16 I became a professional mehndi artist for Asian brides.

I developed my interest in mehndi as an art form by working in the community in the U.K. In 1986 I came across SAMPAD (South Asain Arts Organisation). It was Piali Ray who took me under her wing (Piyali is now the director). She booked my first workshop in a primary school in Ludlow . Since then I have run workshops for various organisations in the West Midlands namely Play Train, Birmingham City Council, mac (the Centre for Birmingham), Cannock Chase, Staffordshire Arts Council and Ellis, Walsall Arts council, Worcester Arts Council, Shropshire, Northamptonshire and with Creative Partnerships.

I have over 25 years of experience working in schools around West Midlands. My main aim is to raise the awareness of traditional and religious values of mehndi for different communities as well as take a step forward into its artistic potential and contemporary uses.

I was fortunate to have been invited to extend the range of my activities by working with short and long term patients at Heartlands Hospital. It was a rewarding experience and I was dirceted toward the therapeutic possibilities of mehndi. I then extended this experience and attended a ten week Arts Thearpy course at Birmingham University.

In March 2000, West Midlands Arts and SAMPAD awarded me a grant, which enabled me to travel to various countries and research attitudes towards, and uses of mehndi.

In 2001 Birmingham City Council Leisure and Culture supported my research and funded me to produce a mobile exhibition. The exhibition illustrates the multiple traditional uses of mehndi around the globe. This exhibition has been shown in museums and libraries around Birmingham and West Midlands. Please go to exhibiton page for more information.

During my research I met people who told me amazing stories. Some were true and based on personal experiences and some were mythical tales. I decided I should write a book of short stories. In 2002 Campaign For Family Learning Millennium awarded me funds to write a book entitled ‘Memories of Mehndi'. The book narrates 19 short stories each translated in its native language with a total of 8 languages used. This book has been printed in Birmingham by myself. It is now available in various Libraries across Birmingham, Worcestershire and Brent Libraries in London. For more information please go the book page.

I have done consultation work with the Children’s Fund on environmental and health issues. I have also been involved with Birmingham City Council on various research projects involving and inspiring women to participate.

In April 2004 I received funds from the Arts Council to further my study on the mehndi dye.

This study led to a very big project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. It went on for 15 months. We worked with a group of young people to create furniture designed and made by the participants, which was later exhibited. Please see the page on Heritage Lottery Project.

My aim for the future is to impart my knowledge as an artist and to train others.

Take Care and I hope to work with you soon.