Traditional Indian Bridal Jewellery for Bengali Brides

Indian weddings are colourful affairs known for the glitz, glamour, colour and sheer opulence. A vast land of diverse communities, cultures, languages and religions, Indian weddings rituals and bridal trousseau too vary from region to region. It therefore stands to reason that bridal jewellery which forms a vital part of the wedding trousseau is also diverse in design and pattern in different parts of the country. While Chura graces the hands of a Punjabi bride, the Bengali bride walks resplendent decked up in gold “Kaan” and bangles of white ivory and red coral bangle set with gold. A Kashmir bride’s trousseau is not complete without the gold filigree wrist ornament band or kada while a Rajasthani bridal ensemble is sure to include the traditional kundan jewellery of the state. It is the diversity that truly makes the Indian weddings such grand and colourful affairs.

Indian Jewellery Trends

In recent years the trend in jewellery for Indian brides have reflected the preference of modern women for more western deigns and motifs that seemed to have pushed traditional jewellery off the popularity charts. Fickle and transitory nature of fashion trends have once again been proven right as we find traditional Indian bridal jewellery designs are making a grand come back. The credit for a return to traditions can be firmly placed on Bollywood films and stars who till today plays the most significant role in shaping the fashion consciousness of Indians. Indian women care more about imitating the dress, make up and over all get up of their favourite silver screen heroines than about the latest trend in international fashion scene. The glamorous cine stars act as style icons who weave their magic on the psyche of the Indian bride who dreams to look just like her favourite star on her own fairy tale wedding. The same trend is noticeable in bridal jewellery designs as well with the age old gold crafts like kundan, meenakari, thewa and Navratna are finding takers once more come wedding season.

Influencing the tastes of modern Indian bride are Bollywood films like Parineeta, Devdas, Jodha Akbar and Bengali films like Chokher Bali and Antarmahal. Following the trends set by these cult films Bengali brides seemed to have developed a renewed interest in handcrafted traditional gold jewellery more in fashion during their grandparent’s era. The intricate filigree work and exquisite designs have always distinguished traditional gold ornaments of Bengal perfected by generations of Swanakars or ornament makers who are once again happy to find their craft being appreciated and vaunted. This renewed interest has come as a breath of fresh air serving as motivation for the age old craft of jewellery making.

Bridal Indian Jewellery: Types of Traditional Gold Jewellery of Bengal

Bollywood movies serve as the perfect platform to showcase conventional designs as the grand and extravagant sets serve as the background for beautiful Kundan, Jadau, Kaan, Bajubandh, Kangans and so on creating a magical aura steeped in nostalgia and romance that proves irresistible particularly to a bride who desires for a fairy tale wedding. Isn’t it the secret wish of every Bengali bride to look just as ravishing and sensuous as Aishwairiya Rai in Devdas or Vidya Balan in Parineeta?

Let us take a sneak peek at the traditional gold ornaments worn by a Bengali bride that are once more in favour.

• Kaan– Hand crafted delicate gold or solve ornament that adorns the entire ear of the Bengali bride are once again in fashion.
• Hathphool – An intricately crafted gold ornament comprising of five rings interconnected by thin golden chains grace the hands of the bride.
• Nath – Indian women have always favoured the delicate noise stud but nath or nose ring had become quite rare in recent years. The larger gold loop nose ring connected by a slender gold chain to the Kaan was part of the traditional get up of Bengali brides and is back with a bang this wedding season.
• Chik – The gold choker studded with diamonds or other jewels is worn around the neck and are only an inch in width.
• Panch – A necklace with five or Panch layers of precious stones or beads that forms an integral part of the Bengali bride’s trousseau.
• Sapta Lahari – This is similar to Panch but has seven layers instead, hence the name sapta lahari meaning seven layers.
• Hansuli – Finely crafted silver Hansuli worn tight around the neck is another traditional necklace of Bengal. Although it was originally worn by Muslim women alone, Hansuli has gained popularity among Hindus as well.

Other kinds of jewellery gaining in popularity nowadays include waist rings, hair pins, bangles and wrist bands, amulets etc that had all but vanished from the fashion scene. Thanks to movie magic they are once again in vogue with Bengali brides opting for traditional dress as well as jewellery on her wedding day.

To know more about Kundankari, another traditional jewellery craft of India, visit http://www.squidoo.com/kundan-jewellery-traditional-indian-bridal-jewellery