Indian Accessories

The land of Kerala State, placed in the southernmost region in India, is blessed with picturesque greenish landscapes, unique backwaters/lagoons, perennial rivers and highly educated, cultured and politically aware people.

It is one of the major tourist attractions in India, but very little is known about its beautiful traditional jewelry. Kerala women have a very strong passion for the yellow metal gold and so you can see several spacious attractive jewelry showrooms, better known as Gold Houses all through this small state.
Kerala jewelry has its origin from the age old customs and beliefs and the designs that vary in size and shape are really a feast for the eyes. These include the elaborate and exquisite ones as well as simple and functional. The Nagapadam or Serpent-hood pendent worn by the women from the Nayar community, Namboothiri ladies’ favorite Cheruthali necklace and the Mekka Mothiram, a kind of finger ring are typical examples of traditional Kerala jewelry. The women of all communities wear jewelry articles of different patterns for the neck, arm, nose and the ankle. The oldest form of the ornament used by the Nayar women was a neck-chain with a pendant in the shape of the serpent’s hood. The other important neckwears were nalupanti, addiyal, puthali, aval mala and patakkam. The nose rings were known as mukkuthi and nattu. The native Namboothiri women are mostly seen only with Kasumala for the neck and the waist band Oddiyanam, otherwise they do not wear expensive ornaments.
Even today Kerala women continue to wear the ornaments with undiminished enthusiasm and passion. The traditional and religious significance of rings for fingers, nose, ears and toes has never lost its credibility. It appears as bright new designs with an emphasis on style and class. Amulet, a type of ring used as a charm against evil forces, is also available in the stores. Rings for the ten fingers and Aranjanam, a piece worn round the waist are also part of the ring ornaments.
Earrings, in various forms and sizes, are embellished with enamel, stones, pearls and miniature chains and pendants shaped as small leaves, balls or bells and the traditional jimkhas in various designs and decorations are still very popular. Some are so heavy that they need the support of a cord or chain. Unsupported earrings are worn from a hole in the lobe which results in a permanent stretching of the hole to a high degree.
Bangles, locally known as Vala or Kapu are created in vivid charming designs and shapes. Women continue to wear the traditional necklaces in modern designs and with motifs in the shape of mango fruit, rice grains, the cobra’s hood, melon and cucumber seeds. Minnu, shaped like a cobra’s hood, symbolizes the marital status of Christian women. The present noserings Mukkuthi and Nattu are sold in small round shaped balls to studded diamonds and flat discs having ornamental surfaces.
The latest craze one gram gold jewelry is very popular among women as they get all types of sparkling trinkets at very affordable rates. In short, Kerala is a treasure of GOLD JEWELRY, rich in design and quality enhancing the feminine beauty and its rich tradition and culture.