2006年VOA标准英语-Americans Embrace Centuries-Old Art Form
时间：2019-01-31 作者：英语课 分类：2006年VOA标准英语（一月）
By Arti Jain and Amy Katz
Los Angeles, CA
17 January 2006
watch Henna Art report
It is believed that the art of body painting with henna dye dates back to the Middle East 5,000 years ago. From there it traveled to parts of Asia and became especially popular on the Indian subcontinent. Now, thanks to American celebrities 1 like Madonna and Gwen Stefani, who discovered the ancient art, henna has found a new following in the United States. Arti Jain of VOA's Hindi Service filed this report from Los Angeles. It is narrated 2 by Amy Katz.
---------------------------------------
Darcy Van Gelder
Darcy Van Gelder got interested in henna art -- or Mehandi -- ten years ago. She loved it so much she became a professional henna artist. She believes that henna is no longer just a fashion fad 3 for a few celebrities.
"Lately it has entered a very middle class mainstream,” she says. “I am seeing a lot of conservative, middle-aged 4 people who are living in the suburbs, wanting to do Mehandi for things like their house parties and even for weddings and things like that."
Americans are even hosting "Henna Parties." They are much like what are know as "Henna Nights" in eastern cultures -- friendly gatherings 5 where people socialize and apply henna for each other.
Henna art being applied 6 to the skin
Traditionally henna was used to adorn 7 the hands and feet of a bride. But now, it is even being painted on much less traditional body parts.
"It is beautiful to see the belly 8 as something positive, and happy, and auspicious 9, rather than something that should be covered," says Ms. Van Gelder.
Men are even getting into the act. Gordon Fontaine, explains why he had his feet decorated.
"I was thinking the hands are a beautiful place to get it but as a man I am just not as comfortable in getting it on my hands."
In California, it is now popular to hire henna artists for parties. And it is catching 10 on in the corporate 11 world, too. Renda Dabit -- who opened a store where she applied henna, soon saw her business explode [grow rapidly]. Ms. Dabit says she believes there are many reasons to have the temporary art applied.
Renda Dabit
"Henna has become whatever people want it to be, it depends to who it is, it becomes that. You know it could be just art, it could be part of a cultural background, it could be just a way to decorate yourself with, a trying out a tattoo 12 before you get a real tattoo," says Ms. Dabit.
It seems in the U.S., the ancient art of henna painting has become a modern day trend.
- He only invited A-list celebrities to his parties. 他只邀请头等名流参加他的聚会。
- a TV chat show full of B-list celebrities 由众多二流人物参加的电视访谈节目
- Some of the story was narrated in the film. 该电影叙述了这个故事的部分情节。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Defoe skilfully narrated the adventures of Robinson Crusoe on his desert island. 笛福生动地叙述了鲁滨逊·克鲁索在荒岛上的冒险故事。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- His interest in photography is only a passing fad.他对摄影的兴趣只是一时的爱好罢了。
- A hot business opportunity is based on a long-term trend not a short-lived fad.一个热门的商机指的是长期的趋势而非一时的流行。
- I noticed two middle-aged passengers.我注意到两个中年乘客。
- The new skin balm was welcome by middle-aged women.这种新护肤香膏受到了中年妇女的欢迎。
- His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
- During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。
- She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
- This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。
- She loved to adorn herself with finery.她喜欢穿戴华丽的服饰。
- His watercolour designs adorn a wide range of books.他的水彩设计使许多图书大为生色。
- The boss has a large belly.老板大腹便便。
- His eyes are bigger than his belly.他眼馋肚饱。
- The publication of my first book was an auspicious beginning of my career.我的第一本书的出版是我事业吉祥的开始。
- With favorable weather conditions it was an auspicious moment to set sail.风和日丽，正是扬帆出海的黄道吉日。
- There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
- Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。
- This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
- His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。