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This is a thick, black, ointment, made of ground lead sulfide or antimony sulfide, which is used as an eye liner, a coolant, and protector against the evil eye (see Nazar Utarna).
Kajal is usually applied with a fingertip on the inner rim of the lower eyelid and sometimes on the upper lid as well. Though traditionally used by both men and women, today largely women use kajal. However children of both sexes are made to use kajal as a coolant and to protect them from evil. Indeed Indians of all ages and faiths use it for these reasons.
From the time a child is six days old, its mother applies kajal to its eyes and also a small black dot on the forehead to mar the child's beauty. This 'imperfection' is said to protect from evil.
Kajal can be made at home by mixing the soot of an oil lamp with clarified butter, while commercially it is available in small boxes or as pencils.
