A country like India, full of history and religious customs, culture, mysticism and legends that permeate the lives of its inhabitants and the millions of people who visit it, as well as with a particular magic, tells its stories from the purest tradition that is in each detail, each garment, in the symbolism used by jewellers to capture in their jewels all that range of elements in the best possible way that the environment, history and traditions demand.
It is in that way that the culture and the symbolism of this wonderful country have been building a perception of art and life that is distinguished by its elegance and brightness, which is reflected in a particular way in its clothing and jewellery, becoming part of the attitude, lifestyles and behaviour of its inhabitants who are accustomed to enjoying celebrations that carry with them ancestral traditions of religious type, in which the offerings and symbols are fundamental key in their development.
In the field of jewellery, India distinguishes itself by keeping techniques and procedures that date back many years, such as the elaboration of silver filigree, which are ordinary jewellery designs that were made in the time of the Mughals and that currently are still elaborated in some areas of this country.
Likewise, in every corner of India, the jewellery sector is developed, which is very diverse and is mainly present in the immense amount of temples and religious establishments distributed throughout its territory, which are usually stamped with jewels according to the different religions that make life in India and that are an essential part of this wonderful country.
Going into the subject of Hindu symbolism as a fundamental element of jewellery, we must highlight the fact that its meaning is part of each of the important events in the lives of Hindus, such as the meaning of the garment called “MaanTikka”, which is a kind of pomp that is made exclusively for brides and which will be worn on the wedding day as a special accessory that is part of religious practices, and which is placed making a fractionation of the hair to place a beautiful gem in the centre of the forehead.
Another of the typical garments of India is the Jhumkas, which are earrings or tendrils that are used indiscriminately by women and men, without any prejudice or criticism, and that shine in any social or religious event since ancient times. Likewise, the bracelets worn by both men and women in certain seasons are very characteristic and emblematic according to the dates on which traditional and religious festivals are held.
On the other hand, it is the jewel called “nathmi”, also known as koka or laung, which is a ring that is placed on the nose and is known as “nose pin”. This jewel is also worn since ancient times, and it is said that it came to India with the territorial invasions that took place over the centuries.
Next we have the Haar; it’s a choker considered one of the most expensive jewels in India, since it comprises a varied set of elements of a great culture, for which the designers of this jewel have always taken great pains to elaborate them with very particular styles, since they are manufactured by hand in the different regions of the country.
Another typical jewellery is the Chudi, which is a bracelet made of different shapes and styles and usually made in different materials that make these bracelets look like striking accessories, whose designs are more free and varied depending on the tastes and preferences of each person. This garment is well known throughout the world, and is generally worn in pairs, most often taking several pairs in both arms.
It should be noted that the materials that are generally used in the process of making this jewel are gold, silver or a combination of both to offer women a wonderful accessory very characteristic of their country and representative of their culture and traditions.
In this way, women find the opportunity to highlight their beauty and in some cases the extravagance that prevails in some regions through the wearing of these jewels, so that colours and brightness are important to highlight the great religious significance that it has, to the point of being considered unfavourable or dangerous, that a woman has her arms unprotected or naked without the Chudi. Furthermore, in Indian culture silver bracelets mean strength and gold bracelets represent fortune and riches.
As for the rings that are worn in India, we must mention that there are the traditional ones which are called “Angoothi” and historically have been developed in different materials, ranging from wood to raw metal; however, currently the methods and techniques have changed to provide consumers more refined garments with various materials including steel stainless.
The “Angoothi” are usually very decorated with incrustations of small stones in all their extension, which provides volume and make them a very striking jewel that exponentially reflects the traditions of the Hindus and that are currently acknowledged throughout the world, thanks to the boom that this industry has experimented in the last decades, managing to become an export product and in pieces that tourists carry with them after having made a visit to this fabulous country.
Finally, we have the Payal, which is one of those typical Indian accessories that is worn around the ankle and has had a great acceptance in different parts of the world, so it is among one of the pieces that is exported and that at the present time has been object of innovative and creative designs on the part of the jewellers, but without leaving aside the essence of its tradition.
Therefore, the innovative processes of this type of jewellery cannot exclude traditional elements, since they carry with them high religious meanings for their citizens, who, through the wearing of these garments and accessories, can make representations of warriors that fought for their independence and freedom, their history and its essence since ancient times.
It should be noted that this type of accessories, in addition to being a reflection of tradition and history, bring great beauty and value to their bearers, who are generally flattered to wear garments similar to warriors or heroes that are part of the historical, cultural and spiritual legacy of India, the reason why their traditions have been maintained for so many years.
The Payal is also known as Pajeb, a name used in some towns or regions, and that is usually worn by children, young women and old women of the communities, which characteristic elements such as amulets, stones, ornaments of wood, etc. are added and according to the preferences and purchasing power of the people.
This is how the Hindu jewellery has become famous throughout the world, thanks to its designs, the meaning they bring, their spectacular stones, pearls and the use of silver and gold; a combination that is very attractive to Western cultures full of very modern and innovative elements, but that are overshadowed by the sight of many people looking for something different, that evokes the essence of the human being through stories and legends that manage to awaken in them the link with divinity.
Hence the boom that the Hindu jewellery has had in recent years, which today has positioned itself among the best in the world, highlighting and being acknowledged particularly for the quantities of precious gems extracted from its lands, which are used to make real works of art through jewels that maintain its essence, highlight its history, traditions and spiritual wealth, which is valued not only in India, but also in the entire world.
And it was precisely because of India’s mining wealth, for its famous stones and various precious materials, that many billionaire traders and investors fixed their attention on this land, which has favoured the development of different companies that today make life in this country and that connect with the world markets, generating numerous excavations that in turn have served to find various objects, crafts, precious stones, jewellery and even gold belonging to ancient civilizations, which have become part of the valuable cultural heritage of this country.
In short, the Indian jewellery is a symbol of tradition, beauty, culture, elegance and brightness; set of elements that are immersed in an emblematic symbolism full of essence and roots, all framed in the bases of different religions that are elementary for the Hindu village. This symbolism represents power, wealth and great spiritual value for those who wear them, especially for women.
For all these reasons, India represents a point of reference for modern jewellery, which while still being avant-garde, finds in traditional and religious jewellery the basis for creating spectacular jewellery that famous women, queens, princesses and common people of all over the world can wear, even more when one of the characteristics that distinguish the Hindu jewellery is that its elaboration is clearly original, because by making false jewellery, they would be disrespecting the cultural and religious values that have been maintained for thousands of years .
ALFA