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For that rustic look
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Glitter of the ornaments of Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Jodhaa has caught the fancy of women
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All that glitter A model exhibiting a piece from the ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ collection
Glitter has always been a woman’s best friend. Whoever thought that the soaring price of the sparkling yellow metal will dampen the spirit of traditional gold buyers or those bound by marriage rituals need to throw a glance at the swanky showrooms that continue to attract hordes of buyers. A lot of them have found an alternative though in white gold while buying bangles and bracelets. Gemstones-embedded bracelets are popular and some women even prefer to design ‘talis’, their lifetime possession.
Wonder effect
Rustic look is the order of the day. The splendid Jodhaa Akbar collection of Mughal and Rajput designs are the latest rage on the fashion circuits. Controversy over Ashutosh Gowarikar’s directorial venture may not have helped the movie, but it certainly has done wonders to the Tata Group’s Tanishq jewellers, who designed the jewellery used in the film.
Chunky pieces worn around neck and clinking gold bangles and anklets have dominated jewellery trends in the last couple of years. If the rich and famous have been grabbing the heavy weight pieces, those with limited resources are rooting for slinky, hollowed out pieces or ornaments made from non-traditional materials.
“A variety of chocker and chains are being made hollow and reduction in weight compensates for the rise in gold prices. For the fashion-conscious, the designers offer light weight sturdy designs,” observes Maddirala Mrunalini, a buyer. The wide range in the market bears testimony to the skills of the jewellers and their tailor-made personalized designs that provide craftsmen good opportunity to display their talent.
Shukoor, a goldsmith, says the advent of machines, especially in the branded jewellery segment, has not affected the uninterrupted flow of orders. Precious and semi-precious stones are a rage, finding use in nose studs, earrings, bracelets, bridal crowns, finger rings, anklets, amulets and necklaces of different metal or style. The meenakari and kundan styles often worn as chokers and necklaces have been influenced by the Mughal dynasty.
Contemporary designs with an international appeal are in great demand in metros. “I am against stashing heavy and chunky jewellery which will not be of much use to me. I would rather prefer contemporary stuff with platinum or white gold,” says Swathi, a software profession. Since the girl is entering wedlock this month-end, she is keen on collecting smart jewellery that can be accessorised with her wardrobe.
Diamonds have also penetrated into almost every middle class household. Extremely popular are white gold and diamond bangles. Uncut and rose-cut diamond jewellery, pieces set in tourmaline stones, polki, chakri and kundan sets, a blend of diamond and ruby sets, diamond and emerald sets, diamond and sapphire sets as well as white-gold, silver and platinum jewellery are common favourites.
Meanwhile, the Jodhaaa Akbar catalogue is an eye-opener. Nearly 200 craftsmen took 600 days to design and mould the pieces using 400 kilograms of gold, precious, semi-precious stones and pearls to bring out the authentic look of the Mughal and Rajput era in the 16th century.Weighed down by the 3.5 kilograms of jewellery, Ash who played Jodhaa Bai in the film had aptly remarked that portrayal of the character carrying the ornaments was the most difficult part.
RAMESH SUSARIA
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