A country which boasts a rich history replete with powerful kingdoms and empires, indeed deserves illustrations and books penned on its rich culture. And, to me, Indian culture ushers the memories of those exotic and dazzling pieces of jewelry donned by the opulent Maharanis. In fact, the latest flick, Jodha Akbar, starring the world’s most beautiful woman, Mrs Aishwarya Rai Bachchan spotting some of the most spectacular jewelry, is quite a delight for the jewelry lovers like me.
Looking at the trends in jewelry, it is imperative for me to start right from the dawn of the civilization. Some of the earliest form of humans, the tribals, made abundant use of raw materials like wood, feathers, stones et al to carve something what we now call, jewelry. In fact, any thing and everything handy, like, fruit seeds, animal bones, claws, were picked to fashion their jewelry. Even today, visit the tribal groups like Munda from Jharkhand, Khasi from Meghalaya et al and you'll find some odd women spotting similar kinda jewelry.
Delving into the pages of our oldest epics, I found elaborate pages on gold and silver ornaments. Watch any of these epics telecast on television and you’d know what I am talking about. An elaborate piece of jewelry for every part of the body... tikkas for the forehead, anklets, bangles, mangalsutras et al. Well, so many jewelry forms do reflect the talent and creativity of our goldsmiths, dont they?
Rich, beautifully designed gold ornaments where a forte of that period. Even the warrior animals, like elephants, horses were beautifully adorned in ornaments much to the dismay of their contemporary situation. Then came a revolution in the business of jewelry making by the onset of the Mughal empires. They brought the fashion of gems engraved jewelry on the forefront. India became the major source and trading centre of the precious stones. The ostentatious display of jewels worn by the mughals in my history books and museums are big head-turners for sure.
Any way,then came the jewelry for divinity. Rudraksh, sandalwood beaded necklaces were meant to don the spiritual souls and their portraits.
Ask me and I believe, today’s era the best. The concept of spiritual and aesthetic jewelry has today merged into costume jewelry. An era where fashion is the driving factor for one’s jewelry purchase and not just financial security, spirituality or opulence.
It is well observed that the old and gone is yet creating a rage today. Take for example, the kundan work, filgiri work et al. Also, precious and semi-precious stones designed in delicate and chic designs are in. Wood, glass and other stones engraved jewelry are today in and fashionable.
Jewelry is no more feminine... as both guys and girls indulge themselves into sleek, definitive jewelries to make a statement. Also, piercing is what they say, the cool thing today. So, one may find funky stuff like sleek earings, nose pins, rings used as popular accessories for piercing.
