Quiz
What is the meaning of Kempu?Answer
Literally– red
Quiz
Why do Tamil women love kempu so much?Answer
The Tamil aesthetic is tuned to muted colours and high-quality material.
People love kempu because of high-quality rubies without additional embellishments.
“No jigina,” or sparkly stuff, as traditionalists would say.
Kempu jewellery fits this profile to a T.
Quiz
How is kempu jewellery designed?Answer
Typically with minimal intervention to showcase the beauty of the rubies.
Common motifs are used. The mango, peacock, makara, hamsa, and flowers.
But mostly kempu addigais (or choker-like necklaces) string the oval cabochon rubies from Burma without additional fuss.
Quiz
What are Tamil ornaments for the ear?Answer
Jimikki: dangling earring
Thodu: ear stud
Maatal: behind the ear
Koppu: on top
What she is wearing is a kempu thodu and jimikki
Quiz
How is kempu jewellery worn?Answer
Typically with Kanchipuram sarees.
Typically as a matching set with necklace, earrings, and bangles
At day or night. To weddings and pujas (prayer rituals).
The kempu shade is viewed as auspicious. In sarees, it is called arakku.
When did kempu jewellery flourish?
During the Chola, Pandya and Krishnadevaraya periods. Between the 9th and 16th century.
Also during the early part of the 20th century when Tamil men travelled to Burma and Ceylon and brought back gems.
It has now evolved into costume jewellery, called temple jewellery. Mostly because people don’t have access to, or cannot afford the originals.
Quiz
How has kempu evolved?Answer
Nowadays, women wear artificial gems in the name of “temple jewellery.”
They use silver foil dipped in gold to nest the jewels.
These are made in Vadassery and Nagarcoil.
Used by bharatanatyam dancers
