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.

Kempu padakkam or pendant
Kempu valai or bangles

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

Kempu jimmiki or earring
Kempu addigai with matching earrings and bracelet

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

Pendant Tamilnadu. Temple jewellery.