This evergreen number sung by Ghulam Ali just about sums up the aesthetic value gajal (soot emulsified in ghee or oil to apply over the eyelashes) adds to female beauty in Nepali culture. But the aesthetic utility of gajal, that mothers have so lovingly smeared around their babies´ eyes for centuries, may come at a price if doctors are to be believed. [break]
Some urban mothers aware of the hazards may have stopped using gajal on their children, but there are still many who use it in the hope it actually nurtures eyesight.
Senior eye specialist Dr Sanduk Ruit says gajal, known in India as kajal, has not a single health benefit, and rather harms the eyes of users. "This (use of gajal) may perhaps be the only harmful practice that our ancestors have initiated," Dr Ruit says showing his respect for our tradition.
"The carbon particles of gajal do not have even a single health benefit. Its application on the margin of eyelashes blocks the pores that secrete oil to prevent drying of tears," Ruit reasons.
The application of gajal thus prevents the natural mechanism of keeping eyes moist. "The dryness may lead to grittiness in eyes making blinking difficult and causing tiredness while staring," Dr Ruit, who won the Roman Magsaysay award in 2006 for introducing the cheap suture-less operation technique to perform cataract surgery and manufacturing inexpensive high-quality intraocular lens, says.
Severe dryness may cause irritation in the eyes. In addition, the carbon particles may get inside the eyes and trigger unwanted reactions. "At a time when there are so many smoke particles in the air due to combustion of fossil fuels, its application only adds to the misery for eyes," Dr Ruit believes.
So, what about the undoubted beauty that gajal adds to the eyes, especially those belonging to the fairer sex? Dr Ruit advises to use it well outside the margins of eyelashes so it doesn’t impede the natural mechanism while still adding the aesthetic factor.
premdhakal@myrepublica.com
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