Jewellery enhances the look of the person who dons it. India has a range of traditional jewellery, among them temple jewellery which forms part of South India’s cultural heritage. The history of temple jewellery dates to the 9th century AD.
In recent times, however, women flaunt temple jewellery to raise their style quotient. It not only adds glamour but is also a status symbol as these expensive pieces of jewellery cannot be owned by everyone.
Orissa POST interacted with a few experts in the field to know more about temple jewellery.
Abhishek Kajaria, a local jeweller, said, “Temple jewellery is from the South and people love to wear it. We started our business by manufacturing jewellery and exporting it. Blending Indian and Western influences, we have created the Avama range, which is a combination of traditional and contemporary designs.”
Many of the designs are based on motifs seen in various temples, he added.
Bhubaneswar-based fashion designer Ananya Patnaik said, “Temple jewellery is the most favoured accessory on special days like weddings. It adds that special touch of traditional grace. No matter how trendy you are, you will keep looking at your wedding pictures again and again. South Indian brides and adolescent girls wear the jewellery with style. A traditional sari combined with temple jewellery lets you feel no less than a beautiful painting. Head gears, armlets, kangan, nathni, chokers, kamarbandh, maang tika, you can get them all in temple jewellery. In fact, temple jewellery lends a royal look.”
She added, “Temple jewellery falls in the classic category and is usually found in gold or with a golden polish. A transformation is always possible when it comes to the colours of the embedded gems, but the base remains the same. True to its name, temple jewellery evokes art, mythology, divinity and temple culture over the centuries making it a class apart.”
Shabiha Nur Khatoon, OP
