Rajasthani Women and Jewelry for Women and Men
While strolling the cities of Rajasthan, I found myself admiring the people of Rajasthan too. Especially the women and the traditional Rajasthani jewelry that they wore. They wear bright outfits, colors like brilliant red, vibrant yellows and oranges, lively greens and dazzling blues.
Rajasthani Women and Jewelry
Most women keep their face covered and are shy to speak. Not all were willing to pose for me; yet I managed to get some reasonably good shots.
Tribal Jewelry with Animal Bones
Earlier those chudas, broad white bangles were made of ivory or camel bones, embellished with gold, precious and semiprecious stones. Now they are made of plastic.
Rajasthani Silver Jewelry
They are known for their love for silver jewelry. The ornaments signify their marital status. Women adorn colorful chunky and weighty jewelry, many of them decorated with coins, beads and shells. I saw this lady close to a public water tap. She was with a pot; obviously it meant she had come to collect water. I picked up courage to converse with her.
Initially she was shy but soon she was chattering away and sounded more curious about me than I was of her. She wore finger rings and bangles made of gold and anklets made of silver. She seemed to be from a financially well off family. Then how come she doesn’t have water tap at home? I wondered silently.
Exquisite designs in their jewelry are a rage not only for the Indian ladies but also for foreign lady tourists. I too picked up some pieces of ornaments. 🙂
Lac Jewelry of Rajasthan
Lac is the common base used in many forms of jewels. Enamel work with gold, silver, precious and semi precious stones, beads and small mirrors of different shapes are studded on hot lac bangles and other jewelry forms to create such stunning colorful designs. Depending on the material used the prices vary. You will find all married women wearing dozens of them. Their wrists are covered fully, especially the new brides.
Lac bangles from Rajasthan
Most famous Jewellery of Rajasthan
Sadly I missed clicking Rakhdi/Borla, the most famous jewellery of Rajasthan. Rakhdi/Borla is the traditional Rajasthani head jewellery. Locally it is called Maang tikka. Elsewhere in India you will find this to be a flat piece but in Rajasthan it is spherical or bell-like in shape. Most of the women were in veils, not sure if they worn one or not.
Nath or Nathni (nose ring and chain) is another popular jewellery styles worn by Rajasthani women. I didn’t find the local women wearing that. It is a popular jewelry piece worn by Bollywood heroines in movies.
Kanthi or Aad necklace is a unique design very typical of Rajasthan. Very gorgeous style, Rajputi necklace, they are worn by the rich today in weddings and were worn by Maharanis (queens) in the past.
Rajasthani Men and Jewelry
Men of Rajasthan too wear jewellery, mostly in their ears. Rajas and Maharajas of Rajasthan have adorned jewels in the form of rings, brooches, chains around neck and more. Today civilians don’t wear such bling anymore but they do sport minimal jewelry pieces. You can see many of them wearing big thick bangles called kadas. Some wear simple ear rings.
I found their pagris (turbans) very interesting. Practically their head gear serves the purpose of protecting their head from the scorching heat. It is also the most important part of their attire. The color of the turban and the style of tying it indicate his caste and the region to which he belongs.
Tying the turban is a specialized art. There are professional tiers who make roaring business during the marriage season and festival times just by tying pagaris.
This little boy very willingly posed for me, struggling to tuck his pagdi in, the right way. He was chattering happily and was eager to know from which part of the country I came. When I asked him, “Do you go to school?”, “Jata hoon na (Yes I do go)” he replied emphatically.
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(This post was first written on Nov 6th, 2008.)
Impressive, wearing jewellery from toes to nose, wherever possible..!!
They are very colorful. 🙂
OH I love these photos! Rajasthan is one of the places that I have been dying to get to for ages!!!
Beautiful shots of the people and the jewelry they wear, I especially like the little boy at the end there. Very colorful.
Ohhhhh! This post is making me ache. I so want to visit India. Well, really, I want to live there. Or, at a minimum, visit for 3 months. I have wanted to go there since I was 8 years old. These pictures and explanations are amazing. Thanks so much for sharing. You could feature these in a magazine. WOW!
Those colors are gorgeous.
Love the color and the fabulous jewelry!!
I love the colors. Sometimes I think the U.S. has the most drab color palette when it comes to clothing. You’ve captured some wonderful pictures. Although the one with the little boy is too precious. 🙂
The boy with the turban is cute! Looks like he is quite good at putting on the turban.
You captured some beautiful photos. I love how colorful the clothing is, and the turbans. Your explanations are great. And, that little boy is so handsome. I too, think so much jewelry would be so uncomfortable to wear while doing activities.
i truly admire the simple rajasthani’s for preserving their traditions and culture..
fascinating photos
Wow! They are all gorgeous! The colors are amazing. Great pictures and story to explain.
What wonderful shots. You posts are always filled with so many interesting sites as well as good text. It’s a pleasure to come here.
Beautiful photos! The colors are gorgeous!
love the ankle adornments!
I look forward to visiting your blog on a Friday and tasting another aspect of Asia!
Lovely photos, as always.
Nice photostory Indrani. Thanks for sharing.:)
so vibrant!
The vivid clothing and ornamental jewelry is really breathtaking!! I LOVE seeing through your eyes…
I love these colorful cloths and what beautiful jewelry !
That was just beautiful!
Gorgeous bright colors and beautiful people.
Wow! What amazing pictures. So much jewelry!
I just love the little mini trips I get to go on every week…and I know I say that all the time, but I do!! The colors and personalities in your pictures are just beautiful!!
That is a beautiful woman. But when I saw the hands it took a moment for me to realize that they belong to the same person, they look much older than het face. She must work hard!
wonderful post with excellent pictures!!
i jus love visiting yr blog. there is so much to find out about beautiful India
Lovely pictures. I am enamoured of those anklets!
love the post, Indrani..what brilliant colours ..u bring back memories of Rajasthan and make it so vivid and lively..and now, I feel like buying some silver jewellery..I always like silver to gold
You did a nice job by showing these fotos….Your words were also perfect….I think this is the most vibrant state of our country….
Nice explain for those beautiful photos…
Have a good day !
Colourful! and that’s an understatement.
I can’t imagine daily life with all that jewellery on! But those women – they bear the heat, carry water long distances, besides lots of other duties?
But those women are savvy – they have added nail colour as well! 🙂