Quiz
Is there a connection between the ears and a woman's health?Answer
Yes there is, according to ancient Tamilians.
Pull your ears and see if you feel a tug in your eyes….and for that matter your navel area.
Quiz
What type of earring is this woman wearing?Answer
Thandatti, behind which is a pampadam earring. She wears a koppu on top.
A pampadam has a U shape. The thandatti is more geometric shaped.
Quiz
Link between growing your ears and childbirth?Answer
In Tamilnadu, long ears were linked to an easy childbirth.
In fact, long ears used to be a prerequisite for a Tamil bride three generations ago.
Quiz
What happens when you pull down your earlobesAnswer
You will feel a tug in the nerves of your eyes.
It is this connection that caused Tamilians to invent this jewellery.
What is a thoppu karanam?
Hint: it is something that Tamil people do at a Ganesha temple.Answer
The practice of pulling your ears while squatting up and down at a Ganesha temple may be linked to the reason women wear the Pampadam earrings.
Quiz
What are the different types of ear-pulling earrings that Tamil women wore?Answer
At least three kinds
Pampadam, which had a U shape like a snake.
Thandatti: which was geometrical
Savudi or Souri: which was a collection of many earrings worn together.
Quiz
What type of earring is the woman in this picture wearing?Answer
It is a Thandatti.
Quiz
What type of earring is this woman wearing?Answer
Thandatti, behind which is a barely visible pampadam earring.
A pampadam has a U shape. The thandatti is more geometric shaped. The savudi is a collection of earrings worn together.
The featured image is a Pampadam earring.
Quiz
Is there a way we can get the benefits of these heavy earrings without wearing them?Answer
Difficult, but once in a while, don’t hesitate to wear a heavy jhumka or earring.
Particularly if you are pregnant.
Quiz
What is this woman wearing?Answer
It is called a savudi, or souri.
Pampadam, Thandatti, Savudi….these may yet make a comeback.
Once their health benefits become widely known.
I have been admiring this style for many many years. Do the jewelers in tamil still make these earrings?
Stephanie,
Yes, they can be made to order
They can also be bought old and refinished.