Bridal Jewellery Box

First let’s make it clear. Not everyone living in South India is Mallu and particularly, not everyone living in Karnataka speaks Kannada. There is a culturally rich clan of Tulunadus living in Mangalore who are distinction in every way. Their rituals, their language and their lifestyle reflect the uniqueness of their culture. But still, its jewellery heritage is something that connects it to the whole of India.   Just like other cultures of India, Tulu women too are bejewelled from head to toe. From armlets, bracelets, bangles, necklaces and earrings to finger rings, toe rings, nose rings, anklets, pendants and waistbands, their trinket box is replete with jewels . Just that they call it by different names. For instance, for them diamond is Vajjira, while coral is Pakala. Similarly, pearl is Muttu, ghungroo is referred as Gejje and hand-made gold coin goes by the name Nanya. Knowing the names of the jewellery elements, you would be able to guess the type of ornamen...

Bangles have been an integral part of Indian culture since time unknown. Even the oldest civilisation that we are aware of had the existence of bangles . A copper figurine was discovered from the site of the Mohenjo Daro settlements, that dates 5000 years ago in 2600 BC, with a necklace and a set of bangles. During the excavation of some other historical sites across different regions of India, bangles were discovered. From copper, bronze, shell and terra cotta to silver, gold, lac and glass, they were made of different materials. For instance, the copper bangles were excavated from Mahurjhari, the ornate ones from Mauryan Empire and the gold bangles from Taxila. But still you never know, it may have existed even before that. All Hindu deities are seen wearing bangles and that this jewel has traditional significances too. Wearing bangles , especially lac, glass and shell are a must for married women here. While it is believed to ensure husband's safety and bring him good ...

My quest for traditional jewellery took me to the end of India – Kerala. People, to be specific tours and travel companies, call it the god’s own country and rightly so. You can’t help falling in love with the untouched beauty of this pristine land. The backwaters, the palms and the beaches, it feels they beckon you. But it is the cultural heritage of this place that brings you back again and again. The more you explore, the more you yearn to know. No wonder, I am still recovering from the mystic influence of its traditional beauty and figuring out, from where to begin talking about this enormous legacy. From head to toe, they have some stunning jewels to bedazzle you.  Within necklace alone, they boast of countless varieties. Inspired by nature, Palakka Mala is hot favourite amongst Keralite women. It has a leaf pattern made of green coloured glass stones in a golden frame. Apart from green, now-a-days various other colour stones like red, blue… too are used. ...