My first memory of men wearing kajal was ordinary. Every Diwali, after Laxmi puja, my mother would make kajal, which would adorn the eyes of all my male family members—dad, brothers, and uncles included. No questions asked, no eyebrows raised.
It was a ritual that nobody gave a second thought to. Until I tried continuing the tradition in my new home. While trying to get my husband to wear kajal for our first Diwali, I realised what the men of my family did was not as commonplace as I thought.
The Western gaze heavily influences the world today, including how men should look. Under its purview, kajal or kohl was reserved for the rebellious, or those who did not conform to the definition of a “manly” man. But historically, men from various indigenous cultures have used kajal in its different forms, a fact that often goes unnoticed.
In Egypt, kajal has become a staple for men and women in the Middle East, North African, and South Asian cultures over the centuries. Used to enhance the visual appeal of the eyes, kajal was also known to protect the eyes from the harsh sun. But most importantly, it was believed to protect you from evil eye.
The use and acceptability of kohl evolved as a cultural crossover started. A symbol of religious and cultural identity, men could wear kajal but only under the approved guidelines of societal norms. So, while it was used to accentuate the expressions of a Kathakali dancer, it was not acceptable for the same male dancer to use it daily.
In I.