Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

The bangle bazaar beckons

The Bangle festival at Kirtilals showroom has a fascinating variety of bangle designs

GOLDEN GLOBE Bangles are virtual circles of artistic beauty Photo: H. Vibhu

It's carnival time on M.G. road. Not the regular sort with rides, clowns and games but a treat all the same. Jewellery retailers, Kirtilals is organising a bangles carnival. With over 10,000 bangles on display, this is one carnival that means serious business.

But why specifically a bangle fest?

Explains Ravikumar K. General Manager of the store, "Market research undertaken in the two years of our presence in Kochi indicated that our bangle designs have been particularly popular. Accustomed to the conventional `tie' models prevalent in Kerala, people have found our innovative designs such as cast work appealing.

"We have in-house designers, craftsmen, our own factory and together they produce designs ranging from the simple machine cut bangles to the intricate handcrafted Calcutta filigree bangles."

A walk around the aesthetically done interiors and one is indeed dazzled by the variety on offer.

Variety

With the wedding season in full swing the festival couldn't have been timed better. A multitude of designs from bangles with rodium, enamel and glasswork, antique finish bangles to the unique black oxidised gold bangles are on display. Also worth mentioning are the `magic' bangles - bangles with spirals that create an interesting illusion of movement. Ethnic designer bangles as a part of the special collection for Akshaya Tritiya (considered to be the most auspicious time to buy gold) are also on the way.

"The weight of the bangles exhibited vary from 8 gms to 55 gms," says Anantha Narayan, supervisor. "The light weight collections including the tube bangles that are quite heavy in appearance are high on demand. Bangles can also be made to order," he adds.

So what do the customers think?

Says Ms. Anju, here for some bangle shopping, "The variety is impressive and the detailing exquisite. The designs are very different from those you'll find elsewhere."

And the pricing?

Mr. Ravikumar asserts, "Although we are a high end showroom, we do allow a certain amount of flexibility with regard to the prices. The lower range starts from Rs. 100-120 per gram whereas the higher range is from Rs. 175 -200 per gram. The customer's satisfaction is what is important."

Avers Ms. Rose Thomas, "The service is good. The collections, especially the antique finish bangles, are lovely."

But the best part is that window shoppers are welcome. Prospective customers are actually encouraged to browse through without any pressure to buy. A fact vouched for by Ms. Fatima who was on the lookout for jewellery for her betrothed sister.

Bangles have always held special significance for the Indian woman. Women through the ages have been fascinated by this piece of jewellery that combines simplicity of shape with complexity of design to scintillating effect. And this summer, whether you are the practical woman looking for simple designs for everyday wear or a bride planning her wedding trousseau, a visit here will definitely be worth the effort.

The carnival is on till May 10.

SANTHY BALACHANDRAN

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail