The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Antique jewellery exhibition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 03, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Antique jewellery exhibition

Staff Reporter

Some of the pieces are 100 years old

RIGHT CHOICE: Actor Suhasini Maniratnam tries out a necklace at the exhibition. — Photo: S. Thanthoni

CHENNAI: You've probably admired some of these pieces of jewellery on the ears, necks and arms of your ancestors in yellowing family portraits at your `Tharavad'. For instance the `kunuku', heavy, pure gold earrings worn at the top of the ear by Syrian Christian women in Kerala.

Prince Jewellery's antique jewellery exhibition that is being held at the Cathedral Road outlet gives you a brief history of jewellery sourced from Travancore, Malabar, South Karnataka, Coorg and Nilgiris. The event was inaugurated by film personality Suhasini Maniratnam.

Managing director of the company, Princeson Jose, says they have been holding this exhibition for the past four years, as it is an opportunity for people to learn about these pieces that are hard to come by. "Many of the non-resident Indians visiting Chennai are only interested in traditional pieces, so they form a good market," he adds. A few of the pieces date back to 100 years and have been tracked with much difficulty from village pawnshops.

There are about 10,000 pieces in the collections, some of them original antiques. The others are reproduced with the original stones. The value of the stones is appreciating every year, says Mr. Jose. In the olden days, they only used Burmese rubies, so even the reproduced pieces are embellished with these. Some of the pieces have also been adapted to meet the tastes and demands of today.

For example, there is a necklace of `rakodis' strung together, that Suhasini fell in love with. The `rakodi' is a jewel that was originally worn in the hair, and was believed to protect and enhance the chakra of the head. Ancient Secrets is on till July 16.

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