South Indian Jewellery is all about richness, tradition, beauty and elaborateness and a generous assimilation of brilliant precious metals like gold, exquisite stones and a constellation of all that glitters. South Indian Jewelleries were created primarily in gold and were usually worn during traditional festivals and weddings.
History of South Indian Jewellery
The initial references to the depictions of South Indian jewellery date back to the mural paintings of the Thiruvambadi shrine in the Shri Padmanabhaswami Temple, Thiruvananthapuram. Even the earliest European reference to jewellery also relates to the use of South Indian jewellery in Vijayanagar. However, the jewellery of Mughal India has been studied much more extensively, thus, comparatively neglecting the jewellery forms of southern India.
Features of South Indian Jewellery
Illustrious designs and elaborate crafting make the South Indian Jewellery different from other traditional ornaments from other parts of India. The South Indian jewellery owes its influence to the temple jewellery which has experienced its evolution. Gold is the primary and major stone for jewellery and the other gems like diamonds, rubies and pearls are also used for jewellery crafting. The traditional floral patterns, glittering stars, swans and lotus patterns are mostly seen in South Indian jewellery.
Various South Indian Jewelleries
Each of the state of South Indian region has their own traditional jewelleries, which exhibit their own culture. The jewelleries are designed with different features and motifs. The jewelleries of each of the South Indian state have been discussed about:
Jewelleries of Tamil Nadu: The traditional jewelleries of Tamil Nadu are Metti, Kolusu, Thandai, Silambu, Kappu, Oddiyanam, Vanki, Kaikappu, Maanga Malai, Kaasu Malai, Haaram, Addigai, Bullakku, Kadukkan, Pampadam, Mattal, Thandatti, Lolakku, Kundalam, Thalaisamaan, Raakkodi, Jadanaagam, Kunjam etc.
Jewelleries of Kerala: Kasu Mala, Palakka Mala, Nagapada Thali, Karimani Mala, Mullamottu Mala, Manga Mala, Kazhuthila, Kazhuthila, Cheruthali, Kandassaram, Kingini, Kuzhiminni, Pulinakhamala, Pathakkam, Lakshmi Mala, Poothali, Kuzhalmothiram, Thoda, Mukkolakkallu, Poothali, Kolusu, Jhimkis etc are the traditional jewelleries of Kerala.
Jewelleries of Karnataka: Karnataka also possesses its own traditional jewelleries, which are Thale Bottu, Muthina Vale Jhimki, Pacha Kempina Ungaru, Guruvina Kada, Kettu Bale, Kasina Bale, Tholu Bhandhi, Mavinayaki Addigai, Pacha Kempina Bale, Lakshmi Sara, Mangalya Sara, Muthu Kasina Sara, Entele Sara etc.
Jewelleries of Andhra Pradesh: Papidi Billa, Buttala, Kanta Abushanam, Sutralu Golusu, Gundla Haaram, Kundan Raala Gajulu, Pathakala Haaram, Bangaru Gajulu, Vaddanam, Lakshmi Kadiyam, Kandabaranam, Nakshi Haram, Aravanki, Nakshi Vaddanam, Gajulu, Maang Tika, Jhoomer, Nath, Kundan Bali, Kundan Choker, Victorian Angoothi, Almas Kada, Meena Kangan, Almas Manek Angoothi etc are the traditional jewelleries of Andhra Pradesh state. These are the typical jewelleries, which are worn in the weddings of Andhra Reddy, Andhra Vysya and Andhra Nizam castes.
Jewelleries of Telangana: The jewelleries of Telangana include Mukkera, Haram, Varal Mala, Puligoru Locket, Guttapuasalu etc.
