Indians love jewellery.Each state has its own set of traditional jewellery associated with each function. Since I come from TamilNadu; the southern state in India, thought I will write about it.
Giving and receiving jewellery for almost all important functions and festivals is even a common practice today. Even though the gold prices have soared, still people flock the jewellery shops to buy jewellery either in silver or gold. Gold here is 22 kt and people dont value the jewellery even if it is 18kt gold. But nowadays people have started to accept that diamonds are best when set in 18kt gold. So they have compromised to that extent.
All communities in TamilNadu wear lots of jewellery during functions and festivals. Weddings especially are very expensive because the biggest expenditure is buying gold for the bride and the groom. Infact there is a practice that when a girl child is born, the parents start accumulating gold for her.
The Chettiar community has a lot of stories relating to gold. It is said that in earlier days they used to measure pearls and corals in a container that roughly holds around 1 and half kgs!
The jewellery worn by Chettiars have always fascinated me, because their workmanship is very beautiful. They have ornate work on their jewellery. One such jewellery given to the bride on her wedding day is called 'Kaluthooru'. This is a single necklace which comprises of 800 gms of 22kt gold! But that was earlier when the gold prices were very nominal. Even now they make it with 400 gms or lesser that. Again this depends on how affluent the brides' parents are.
This kaluthooru comprises of 34 gold pieces which are strung on two twists of 21 strings. 15 pieces
are strung on the top twist and 14 on the lower twist with two links to join the two twists. Three more pieces are added the day after the wedding. The pendant in the middle is in the shape of the shrine which has MahaLakshmi who is the goddess of wealth. On either side there are paws of tiger which is supposed to protect. All the other beads signify fame, strength, education, success, children, wealth, food, prosperity, courage, health and beauty.
This heavy chain is worn by the girl on her wedding day, her son's wedding day, her 60 and 80 wedding anniversary.
Giving and receiving jewellery for almost all important functions and festivals is even a common practice today. Even though the gold prices have soared, still people flock the jewellery shops to buy jewellery either in silver or gold. Gold here is 22 kt and people dont value the jewellery even if it is 18kt gold. But nowadays people have started to accept that diamonds are best when set in 18kt gold. So they have compromised to that extent.
All communities in TamilNadu wear lots of jewellery during functions and festivals. Weddings especially are very expensive because the biggest expenditure is buying gold for the bride and the groom. Infact there is a practice that when a girl child is born, the parents start accumulating gold for her.
The Chettiar community has a lot of stories relating to gold. It is said that in earlier days they used to measure pearls and corals in a container that roughly holds around 1 and half kgs!
The jewellery worn by Chettiars have always fascinated me, because their workmanship is very beautiful. They have ornate work on their jewellery. One such jewellery given to the bride on her wedding day is called 'Kaluthooru'. This is a single necklace which comprises of 800 gms of 22kt gold! But that was earlier when the gold prices were very nominal. Even now they make it with 400 gms or lesser that. Again this depends on how affluent the brides' parents are.
This kaluthooru comprises of 34 gold pieces which are strung on two twists of 21 strings. 15 pieces
This heavy chain is worn by the girl on her wedding day, her son's wedding day, her 60 and 80 wedding anniversary.
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