South Indian Jewellery Trends that are Here to Stay

Bridal jewellery rarely undergoes dramatic changes come wedding season. Here are some of the trends for 2017:

Diamonds

Maharashtrian bridal jewellery designs. | Waman Hari Pethe Sons

Diamonds are truly a bride’s best friend. Diamond jewellery has been a staple at most Indian weddings as it lends charm and character to the bridal outfit. A bride in bling-bling diamond jewellery is sure to impress the guests in attendance. Diamond jewellery matches any kind of bridal attire and adds more extravagance to the memorable day.

Mango Mala

Mango Mala, or also referred to as Managa Malai, is a traditional South Indian necklace that has come back into trend. The elaborate traditional Mango Mala is studded with precious stones and is among the popular South Indian jewellery. The mala adds completes the bride’s overall look. This is in stark contrast to the simplicity of Maharashtrian bridal jewellery designs.

Temple Jewellery and Nakshi

The temple jewellery and Nakshi gives the South Indian bride a unique look, apt for a special day. The antique finish with chains of gold balls, Nakshi work and coloured beads enhances the bride’s overall look. The Goddess pendants, which has precious gem stones, uncut diamonds, nakshi balls or south sea pearls studded in them is currently trending as it completes the bride’s look. This apart, vaddanams, or nakshi waist belts, are also popular bridal jewellery. For pendants, the favourite design is that of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.

Antique jewellery

Jewellery in an antique finish is now a popular trend. Antique jewellery comes in a number of forms, including meenakari, kundan work, among others. The dull polished antique jewellery with Bikaner jewellery helps camouflage the heavy bridal attire. The simplicity of the Maharashtrian bridal jewellery designs do not compare to their South Indian counterparts. 

Jewellery Essentials for Every Maharashtrian Bride

The Mundavalya

The Mundavalya is a unisex ornament that is worn by both the bride and groom. It comprises a string (sometimes two) of pearls that is horizontally across the forehead. Two additional pearl lines drop from both sides of the forehead to the shoulders. The mundavalya is usually tied once the bride is set to get married.

The Tanmani

The tanmani is an important part of Maharashtrian wedding jewellery. It basically is a choker with 3-4 pearl lines that are placed on it. It is made up of a combination of off-white and coloured pearls. This juxtaposition is what makes this ornament stand out. The tanmani usually comes with a resham string that holds it. It can be adjusted from the back.

Chooda

The chooda that Maharashtrian brides wear are quite different from the red chooda. The glass bangles come in green, representing fertility, creativity and new life. It is part of the custom for brides to wear these bangles in odd numbers, and in different numbers on either hand. Apart from the green bangles, gold bangles called patlya are also worn.

The bride wears the chooda amidst much celebration after the mehendi. The patlya and tode, often gifted by the groom’s family, depict the financial status of the family. Solid, heavy gold rather than intricate carvings are usually preferred.

Vaaki

The vaaki or armlet is also an important part of Maharashtrian wedding jewellery. It is worn on each arm. However, quite a few brides just wear it on one arm. The vaaki design includes flat, solid gold studded with precious stones.

Bridal Jewellery Essentials for Every Maharashtrian Bride

Most Maharashtrian brides dress in a yellow saree with a golden border; hair tied in a bun and decorated with pearls and gajra on their big day. Apart from the attractive yellow saree, what sets a Maharashtrian bride apart are traditional ornaments she wears. Maharashtrians prefer incorporating pearl jewellery with gold, which has references in Marathi poetry and literature. Here are some traditional jewellery a Maharashtrian bride wears:

Maharashtrian Bridal Jewellery 

Mundavalya
This piece of jewellery is unisex. It is worn by the bride and groom. It entails a string (sometimes two) of pearls, tied across the forehead from the temple. Two lines of pearls drop from either side of the temple. The mundavalya is tied when the bride is set to walk to the mandap.

Kolhapuri saaz
The ornament originally hails from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. A married woman wears this to solidify her marital status. This ornament is gifted by the groom’s family. In a number of Maharashtrian communities, the Kolhapuri saaz is as important as the mangalsutra. Most women in the rural heart of Maharashtra wear it even today. It comprises gold beads (Jav mani), with a round pendant with a red stone in the centre.

Chooda
The chooda worn by Maharashtrian women is quite different from the red chooda. The glass bangles are in green – symbolising fertility, creativity and new life. Custom mandates that women wear these in odd numbers, and in different numbers in both hands.

Vaaki
The vaaki or armlet forms an essential part of a Maharashtrian bride’s trousseau. They are ideally worn one on each arm. However, there are some brides who only wear only one vaaki. A traditional design comes in flat, solid gold with precious stones in the middle.