A sparkling tale of Tamil Nadu

The sunrise in Kanyakumari, the Meenakshi temple of Madurai and the Kanjeevaram silk sarees – what more can you ask for when in Tamil Nadu. But still without a glimpse of its jewellery heritage, you have not seen this place enough. 

With that, I do not mean paying a visit to jewellery exhibitions and shows here. For an authentic Tamilian jewellery spectacle, make it to a Tamilian wedding. Here women of all ages will show up in their best jewels. While the bride will sweep you off your feet, oldies will enchant you at their traditional best. 

The first thing that will strike you that just like in the north, even Tamilians consider gold to be auspicious and although they sport lot of gold jewellery, they do not wear it in their feet. Only gods and kings are allowed to wear gold jewellery in their feet here. FYI, it is also the birth place of the famous temple jewellery. Isn't our traditions so alike yet so unique?  

Let's delve into the unique side of this heritage.    

Head accessories

Studded with precious stones and shaped like sun and moon, Thalaisaamaan is worn on the centre parting of the hair along the forehead. Earlier it was worn by devdasis/ temple dancers who were considered wedded to the deity and therefore, came to be known as temple jewellery. 

Raakkodi orNaagar, a stone-embedded jewel, shaped like a five-headed snake with a swan in the centre, is worn behind the hair decoration. 

Below Raakkodi, Jadanaagam that is also studded with rubies and diamonds, is placed along the plaited hair in an intertwined pattern.

Neckwear

Adorning the neckline of married women, Mangalsutra is worn in an auspicious thread or in a gold chain while its pendant indicates the community of the wearer. Shaped like a tulsi (holy basil plant), a conch and the discus of Vishnu or heavily stone-studded as worn by Chettinad women, it comes in various designs. 

Other then Mangalsutra, Tamil women are also fond of necklaces and chains adorned with rubies and emeralds.

Earrings
In earrings, this tradition has a range to offer. From Kadukkan (single-stone studs) and Kammal (lotus-shaped with rubies or diamonds) to Jimikki (bell-shaped ear drops), Lolaakku (ear drops of any design) and Maattal(made of gold or pearls and is hooked to the earring and then attached to the hair above the ear), their treasure trove boasts of a variety. 

Older women in rural areas wear heavy gold ornamented ear jewellery called Paambadam made of six earrings.

Nose ornaments 

When it comes to nose ornaments, Tamil Nadu is one top of its game. Whether you talk of the single-stoned mookkupottu (the besari), the muthu studded with eight diamonds or the swan-shaped hamsa besari, you will be blown away by the options at your disposal. 

Armlet 

An upper arm ornament, Vanki generally comes in intertwined shape with stones studded in gold.

Waistbelt

Made of gold or silver and sometime stone-encrusted for a lavish look, Oddiyaanam is a waistbelt that comes in a variety of designs.  

Anklets
Even in anklets, there is a variety. Ganja Golusu (heavy design with bells that tinkle), Thandai (stiff anklets with bells that tinkle) and Kaal Kaappu (worn mainly by children and said to protect their ankles)… to name a few.

Author: Deepa Mishra

Disclaimer: All images used in the blog have been sourced from Google purely for the purpose of informative reference. The models, celebrities or products showcased in these pictures are not to promote any brand in any manner.