Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Indian Art and Craft : Jewellery Styles - Meenakshi and Kunda - 13

From ancient times, jewellery in India has not been mere ornamental or decorative items, but has gained the status of providing proof of various stages of a person's life. For instance, piercing a child's ear signifies its entry into the world, the man wearing the sacred gold thread from left to right shoulder, signifies his entry into educational age, while the "tali" (Mangalsutra) for a women indicates they are married. Gold, silver, coper and bronze are the metals that have been used traditionally for making jewels which were also inlaid with precious gems and beads, that acted as talisman for protection from various evils.

Filigree work has patterns of flowers, butterflies, birds and geometrical shapes made with silver wires of varying thickness creating a delicate lace-like appearance. Orissa and Andhra Pradesh specialize in this style.

Meenakshi and Kunda are styles from Jaipur and Delhi influenced by the Mughals. The jewellery can be worn on both sides. The temple jewellery of Nagercoil has traditional gold ornaments studded with red and green semiprecious stones.

Related Links:

01. Indian Art and Craft : The Living Age - 1
02. Indian Art and Craft : The painting history of India - 2
03. Indian Art and Craft : India the home of Painting - 3
04. Indian Art and Craft : Ajanta Paintings - 4
05. Indian Art and Craft : Floor Designs and Madhubani Paintings - 5
06. Indian Art and Craft : Art of body painting - 6
07. Indian Art and Craft : Shekhavati - India's Open Air Art Gallery - 7
08. Indian Art and Craft : Contemporary Painting - 8
09. Indian Art and Craft : Crafts Traditions- 9
10. Indian Art and Craft : Metal Work - 10
11. Indian Art and Craft : Metal Work and Engraving - 11
12. Indian Art and Craft : Sculpture - The Essence of Art - 12

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