In the enchanting region of Tulunadu, a Bunt woman is adorned with exquisite jewelry on her wedding day and various other significant occasions. Jewelry holds immense auspicious value and is esteemed as a symbol of status. The distinctive and age-old gold jewelry of Tulunadu bestows unparalleled richness and uniqueness to Bunt weddings.
Passed down through generations, families treasure jewelry crafted many decades ago. The array of mesmerizing ornaments includes armlets, bracelets, bangles, necklaces, earrings, fingerings, toe rings, nose rings, anklets, pendants, and waistbands. Each jewelry piece carries a unique name, reflecting the region's cultural flair.
Vadungeela - The revered V-shaped eternity ring, symbolizing a Bunt woman's wedding ring, slipped onto her finger by the groom.
- Ungila - Finger ring
- Panchaungila - A five-ring connected gold jewelry for all fingers in a hand
- Bale - Bangle
- Kadaga - Thick bangle
- Vanki - Armlet, an upper arm ornament
- Sara - Short chain
- Mala - Long chains extending till the chest or waist
- Kanti Sara - Necklace
- Padaka - Pendant
- Urku - Talisman, worn by toddlers and young children for protection and good fortune
- Thaali - A pipal leaf-shaped pendant that the groom ties on the bride on their wedding day
- Kariyamani da sara - Mangalsutra, the chain of black beads denoting a woman's marital status
- Kebita - Earring
- Bendole - Ear studs
- Vonti - Small studs worn by men
- Lolak, ole - Dangling earrings
- Thang - Support for earrings, attached to the hair above the ear
- Koppu - Earring or stud worn on the upper half of the ear
- Jhumkis - Traditional bell-shaped earrings with intricate designs
- Kirita - Crown
- Bottu - A small tinsel forehead ornament
- Tareta gonde - Tassels tied to plait ends
- Tareta poo - Hair ornament with hairpin to hold braids or buns in place
- Mundole - Chain used to adorn the center forehead parting of women, also known as Indian maang tika
- Moonkutti - Nose stud, often set with a diamond
- Moonkuda bottu - A very small gold tinsel nose ornament
- Nath - Dangling nose ring usually made of gold, pearls, and stones
- Bulak - A bull ring usually pushed (rarely pierced) on the dividing wall between the nostrils
- Bangarada Patti - Waistband made of gold with a pendant of sitting Goddess Lakshmi in the center
- Sonta da noolu - Waist chain
- Padasara - Flexible anklets made by joining metal rings, usually silver
- Kada - Immovable anklets, usually in silver, made like bangles with a gap to fit into the ankle
- Kaar ungila - Pair of toe rings, a symbol of a married woman, usually made of silver
- Vajjira - Diamond
- Pakala - Coral
- Muttu - Pearl
- Gejje - Dancing Bells/Ghungroo
- Mallimuggu Sara - Jasmine bud necklace, inspired by the beauty and fragrance of jasmine buds
- Kukkumudi Sara - Mango Mala, a necklace of small golden mangoes extending down to the waist, intricately crafted in three dimensions
- Pavan Sara - A necklace of gold coins on an intricately patterned gold chain
- Misiri Mala - Light-weight small gold disc with the image of Goddess Lakshmi, strung on a gold thread
- Navarathna Sara - A necklace with nine precious gems representing Navarathna (ruby, diamond, natural pearl, red coral, hessonite, blue sapphire, cat's eye, yellow sapphire, and emerald)
- Gili Ole - Traditional pearl earrings with a parrot head design and three small bell-shaped jumkas dangling from the centerpiece, adorned with rubies/corals
- Kajipukai Sara - A chain with small gold vegetables and fruits, sometimes filled with lac
- Gejjetic Kantasara/Gejje Addige Sara - A thick herringbone band necklace with round bells fixed at the bottom
- Beduru Bale - Bamboo design bangle
- Teru Bale - A bangle with the repeated design of a canopy of a chariot
- Ashtalaxmi Mala - A long chain with eight pendants depicting Goddess Lakshmi in different forms
- Gundu Sara - A chain made from small hollow gold beads strung on a gold chain
- Godhi Sara - A wheat chain crafted with small whole wheat charms
- Nanya - Handmade old gold coins
- Mohun Mala - A long necklace made of large gold beads with gold twisted thread intervals
- Tharkol da Gonchil - Decorative key chain for a woman's household keys, usually in silver or gold
- Manila da Gubbi - Chain buttons that resemble cuff-links, joined by a chain and detachable from clothing
- Bugudi - Female ornament worn in the tip of the ear
The dazzling array of traditional Bunt jewelry embodies artistry, cultural heritage, and a deep sense of reverence for their customs and rituals. Passed down through generations, these precious jewels continue to captivate with their timeless allure.
Reference:
- Bunts Mathr Sangha
- Delhi Bunts
- Pune Bunts
- UA Bunts
- Tulunadu Treasures