By Chase Godfrey Staff Writer
The art of henna dates back almost five thousand years ago, in ancient times along the near east of Egypt. The earliest forms of henna used in Egypt, were henna paste where it was used to stain mummy wrappings and mummies. But this talented artist has mastered the art of henna in her own way, and her name is Zeel Patel.
Zeel Patel is a student here at East Central; she moved here from India to pursue her dream to go into the nursing and doctorate profession. She attended this year’s Internationals Day Festival, where she represented her country of India. This was Zeel’s first time going and participating in this event, for her booth she brought to light her two special talents that she had.
For some of the activities for her table she had henna drawing and name configurations in different languages. One of her activities at her booth was where she could sign your name in multiple languages of her country that she knew, like Gujarati and Hindi.
One of her more hands on talents was her henna drawing capabilities, Zeel was back-to-back drawing henna designs onto the viewers who came to her booth. And each of them, whether they were more simple designs like flowers, or more complex organic designs, she persevered and made them look elegant and refined.
Even though Zeel claimed that she was still new to it all, she did not disappoint one bit, she elaborated that she really enjoys doing henna. Because to her henna is an extension of herself to another person, she can express her faith culture and self-imagination through henna. And hopes with practice and time, she can reach the level of detailedness and articulation that she strives to achieve, but with the talent and steady mindness and determination she has now, she does not must wait that long.
ECC Cornerstone 