Maharashtra’s संस्कृती (Culture) is huge. According to the traditions of each generation, there is a piece of jewellery commemorating it. Traditional Maharashtrian ornaments are प्राचीन (Ancient). Made with inspiration from nature and cultural crafts. Each ornament gives has a meaning behind it, which in turn is a piece of Marathi history and culture.
This history of Maharashtrian fashion and traditions is greatly envisaged in the upcoming periodic film Manikarnika : The Queen of Jhansi based on the वीरांगना (Veerangana) – रानी लक्ष्मी बाई (Rani Laxmi Bai) – brought to life by the makers of Bahuballi and Kangana Ranaut. More than the story, the costumes and the portrayal of traditional Maharashtrian has caught my eye. Especially each frame in which Manikarnika and all the वीरांगनाएं (Veeranganas) journey of elegance, beauty and valour can be gaged by their appearance in the movie.
ठुशी/ Thushi (Choker)
कोल्हापुरी ठुशी / Kolhapuri Thushi
वज्रटीक / Vajratik
बेलपान वज्रटीका / Belpaan Vajratik
चंपाकळी हार / Champakali Haar
सूर्यहार / Surya Haar
लक्ष्मी हार / Lakshmi Haar
ढोलकी हार / Dholki Haar
पुतळी हार / Putali Haar
मोहन माळा / Mohan Maal
कोल्हापुरी सांझ / Kolhapuri Saaj
मंगळसूत्र / Mangalsutra (Symbol of Married Woman)
महाराष्ट्रीयन दागदागिने (Maharashtrian Jewellery) are all about layering. It is up to you to decide how many pieces do you want to layer. Or else it does get a bit too much (but in the best way possible). Each of these pieces celebrate womanhood in many glorious ways.
As you can tell by now, Maharashtrian culture is a mix of many states within Maharashtra and each state has designs peculiar to their traditions. It is quite fantastic to see so many design variants from one state itself and India is huge.
It does get expensive to get these pieces custom made, given the constant function in gold prices. But these jewellers are well known for traditional and authentic Maharashtrian Jewellery –
- Waman Hari Pethe
- P.N.Gadgil & Sons
- T.B.Z
They have branches almost everywhere. I’ve a few pieces in my collection for them as well. Hence, the recommendation (no sponsorship).
#ProTip 2. Store these jewellery in cotton sheets inside a box
P.S. We aren’t done as yet. The next article completes the must have Maharashtrian/Marathi jewellery in your collection. So, slide on to the right.
^ Also I didn’t want to write about how these pieces of jewellery are made because there is already a lot of online jargon about it. I wanted to provide you all with an exclusive and exhaustive list of traditional Maharashtrian jewellery that you can have a look at one glance and decide whats going on your wishlist.
*Images used for representative purpose, contact for credits.*