An Introduction to the Traditional Indian Jewelry
The convention of beautifying herself has been the utmost charm of any female on this earth. There is no exception to this fact in respect of Indian women too. In India, jewelry has been a tradition since as many as 5000 years. Jewelry has become inseparable to the women in India. The Indian Jewelry is known for its elegance, intricate expertise and for its variety. It has been a persistent inspiration for many and has won many hearts in India. However, it is not restricted to women only. History is evident that adorning with jewelry has been a hobby of men too. Apart from being an ordinary accessory, the divinity & artistic essence is also there, that's Indian jewelry for you.
Foundation
The convention of jewelry in India was introduced and has been propagated since a very long time and is very old. Since ancient times, the home-grown style of jewelry production has set the Indian Jewelry standard apart from others. The skilled artisans have always taken idea from the objects near them and molded small things such as flowers, seeds, berries, fruits, leaves, animal claws, teeth & bones etc. into a beautiful ornament. People have used everything possible around and have transmuted them into some or the other artistic creation in order to beautify themselves. Some people wear this type of jewelry even today. The evidence to the legacy of hand made jewelry of olden times is the excavations done at Mohenjodaro along with the other sites of the Indus Valley Civilization.
The past
In order to make exquisite jewelry and ornaments, use of metals like gold, silver, copper, brass, ivory, precious and semi precious stones was expertly done. Our much respected epics also give instances of their love for jewelry. Manusmiriti lays a few obligations of goldsmith. India had become an exporter of precious stones and gems by the third century B.C. History is also evident to the fact that ornaments were also meant for ceremonial elephants and horses and also for the idols of goddesses & gods at various places apart from being for the human beings.
Evolution
The kings in olden times used to envy each other for possession of gold and used to fight over this issue. India used to be looked as the Golden Bird of The World due to its huge treasures which contained gold and other precious metals and stones. Silver used to be called as bulwark of Indian Jewelry at that time as it was considered to be more stylish and good-looking. Temples and other grand edifices encouraged many types of ornaments perfumed with sandalwood bead, the prayer beads and the rudraksh. The most profitable investment at that time was jewelry as it could be converted into cash quiet easily.
Different types of Indian jewelry
India has been a proud producer of elite ornaments. Jewelry making has been passed on from one generation to the other as a heritage. The diversity in Indian Jewelry is exceptional and legendary. The ornaments are much adored by many connoisseurs due to a large amount of designs, motifs and patterns present in Indian jewelry. People are mad over these pieces of magnificence and exquisiteness. The one who sees this jewelry becomes so enticed by viewing it due to it being so greatly blended with both ethnicity and the contemporary fashion. The jewelry freaks, being a tribal or an ethnic, have always loved using gold, silver, meenakshi, pearl, theva, kundan, polki and shell jewelry.
Exquisiteness of Each Indian State
There are varied jewelry designs in India based upon the regions, religions, places and cultures. Jewelry making, passed on from generations to generations, is considered to be an art rather than being a skill. Due to the popular brand name houses and prominent designers, the classical Indian jewelry styles are coming back and are popularly endorsed.
We can have a look of the different famous regional styles of India by reading on. However, there are innumerable styles in every region, but these are the ones which are well known all over India.
Style from Delhi
Mughal: The Mughals brought in this type of jewelry style and it didn't go out of fashion at any given time. It is very complex with a spotlight on sophisticated designs greatly inspired by nature. General motifs contain flowers, vines, birds, ambi (mango), leaves, birds, etc. Mughal styles generally go hand in hand as they generally employ Jadau work.
Style from Rajasthan
Kundan Jadau: This style usually follows embossing or encrusting (generally kundan) the gemstones on the metal leaf surrounding the ornament. This type of work has been a part of Mughal style but now is a specialty of Jaipur artisans.
Style from Gujarat
Gheru: This style comes from Vadodara. This style provides the jewelry with a magnificent dull red copper finish.
Pachchikam: This style has been a Gujarati specialty for many generations. It involves the holding together of glasswork & uncut semi-precious gems (completely contrasting to the Kundan Jadau style of encrusting and embedding)
Polki: This style deals with the uncut diamond style of Gujarati jewelry.
Style from Bengal
Filigree: This is the style in which different designs are created by the twisting of slender silver wires. Used in other places also.
Navrattan: It is a Traditional Bengali style of jewelry. It comprises of nine gemstones ruby, diamond, sapphire, coral, turquoise, emerald, pearl, opal and cats eye.
Style from Tamil Nadu
Temple: Temple jewelry is a specialty of Nagerkoil in Tamil Nadu. It deals with the complex and costly jewelry comprising of 22 k gold and other precious stones.
Exclusive Ornaments
The Indian Jewelry is available for any and every part of our body. One can choose from any of the given ornaments, in order to make sure to enhance the beauty:
Mangalsutras
Chokers (gulband)
Armlets
Bangles
Finger Rings
Bracelets
Waist bands
Toe rings
Nose pin
Maang tika
Nose ring
Earrings
Necklaces
Anklets
Pendants
The choice of Indian women to put on these ornaments is generally and mostly for auspicious occasions, weddings, festivals, or happy moments.
