Even though India is moving from a caste to a class-based society, caste is what artisan communities identify with. The deity from whom all karigars, artisans, achaaris, goldsmiths, blacksmiths, temple architects, weavers and creators claim descent. "See, Vishwakarma and his sons worked together on [...]
"A jewel endowed with good characteristics brings good luck to the kings; the ones with bad luck, disaster.” So begins the magisterial Brihat Samhita, the 5th century text, written by Varahamihira in a chapter titled, Examination of Gems. Gems and Grihas are linked like brother and sister. According to the Jataka Parijata, a [...]
These earrings, judging from their material worth, the excellence of craftsmanship, and the use of royal emblems (a winged lion and an elephant) as part of their design, were most probably made as royal commissions. In addition to clusters and rows of beads, each earring is decorated with [...]
Jewels, silks, flower, rituals. The muhurtham happens in the morning. The bride is decked from head to toe in traditional jewellery. Each piece of jewellery is part of the shringaar or sense of auspiciousness. Surya-chandra-rakkodi-nethi chutti-jadainagam for the [...]
There are people in interior Tamilnadu who sing in sweet Tamil Of Sanga-thamizh literature, the Tolkaapiyam, Kurunthogai and Thirukkural. They quote the five great epics. And in these lie the jewellery. Jivaka Cintamani (Fabulous Gem that gave jiva or life) Kundalakesi (Kundala refers to earrings) Valayapathi [...]
[expand title="Where did the Chettiars come from?"]The creation myth of the Chettiars begins with a long arduous migration. Some say Naganadu (land of the snakes) but there is scant proof of that. What is known is that they were gem dealers in the rich coastal city of Poompuhar or Kaveripoompattinam. They had names [...]
Early humans used primarily flowers, seeds, branches and animal parts for ornaments. Later, through a magico-religious process, they discovered that these same ornaments could be used as amulets. This ancient Arabic proverb conjures up human caution. Born of fear, we sought protection. Amulets. The notion of the evil [...]
Imagine if you are an ancient jewellery designer. Like all creative folks, you take inspiration from nature– from things that surround you. You live close to land and water so you draw from flowers, fruits, trees, birds, animals and sea animals. The question is: which flora or fauna do you pick? For all kinds [...]
What makes up your identity? Is it culture, tradition, and aesthetics? Or is it religion, faith, and rituals? Is it ideas and concepts? Or is it your habits, fitness levels and fashion? Most likely, it is all of the above. For many of us, how we dress and what we wear is part [...]
In Hindu astrology, the word graha means "to seize." The nine planets or nava-grahas seize people at different parts of their life and influence them either positively or negatively. Gemology is about using gems to alleviate the effects of these planets. Some people say that a gem needs to be of at least two [...]