Kohl (cosmetics) - in Popular Culture

In Popular Culture

  • It is narrated in the Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah, that the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, used to apply kohl to his right eye three times, and to his left eye twice.
  • At the beginning of the 1999 British film East is East, the character George Khan played by Om Puri applies kohl to his son's eyes before his wedding.
  • The film actress Theda Bara used kohl to rim her eyes throughout her career.
  • Jack Sparrow, a character in the Pirates of the Caribbean films, wears kohl around his eyes.
  • Edward Gorey wrote: "The Wanton, though she knows its dangers / must needs smear Kohl about her eyes / and wake the interest of strangers / with long-drawn, hoarse, erotic sighs."
  • In the song "Miss Sarajevo" by U2, a line asks "Is there a time for kohl and lipstick? / a time for curling hair / is there a time for High Street shopping? / to find the right dress to wear".
  • Mariska Veres, lead singer for the Dutch rock group Shocking Blue, wore kohl around her eyes to accentuate her exotic beauty.
  • In the webcomic Gunnerkrigg Court, kohl is referenced by the name surma, which is the protagonist's mother's name, and the protagonist's name is antimony, an ingredient of kohl.
  • Charley, a character in the 2009 film A Single Man, used kohl to prepare herself for a dinner date.
  • Rabia, a character in the 2010 Pakistani drama Dastaan, used kohl to line Bano's eyes to enhance her beauty.

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