Saturday, May 16, 2009

Traditional Assamese Jewellery -Part One


Disclaimer : I am in no way involved in making/marketing/selling of these jewellery ,nor do I own any boutique .Because of ever increasing no of queries regarding the contact details of this shop owner I am including her phone no ......9864023446 .
On my way to work I always noticed this shop. Today I stepped into this jewelery boutique to have a look around.I was completely enamored by their collection. Mrigakshi Bora ,the owner and the lady behind all these beautifully  designed jewellery has been into this field for quite sometime.It all started as a hobby which slowly and steadily turned into a full time business.Jewellery designing is her passion and this is further very strongly supported by her husband Minup Bora an artist(a product of J.J. School of Art ,Mumbai) .She has spent a lot of time and effort in researching this field.My post today is based on conversations between Mrigakshi and me . Assam's tradition of making jewellery dates back to many centuries. In medieval Assam during the reign of the Ahom dynasty the manufacture of gold ornaments  was a flourishing buisness. Gold dust was abundantly found in the sands of different rivers of the state . Gold-washing on the banks of the Subansiri was a major profession of the Sonowal Kachari. Subansiri which means "flow of gold" is one of the major tributaries of the Brahmaputra.
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Dugdugi

While most of the designs depict flora and fauna of the region some are inspired by elements of Assam's culture .Each piece has a name which describes and indicates the shape and decorative work done on it .Many of the designs are exclusive to this state only.


Lukapar
This piece below is called Lokapar which is an ornament with two sets of twin pigeons placed back to back in gold, mina or ruby .It was originally worn by high profile dignitaries of the royal Ahom dynasty.









 
 Lokapara, Lang Keru, Thuria, Dighal keru, Bakharna Keru, Uka keru, Titakaria keru, Jangphai keru, Kanthasa, karnaphul are the names of  some of the ear ornamentsGam-Kharus are broad bracelets with clasps previously worn by the males only but now very popular amongst females. There were other bracelets such as Epatiabala, Dopatia bala, Muthi, Satjuri Muthi, Sonkhatowa Kharu, Rupar Kharu, Eptia magar Khatowa bala, Uka Kharu, Chheo etc. The rings of various designs were Jethineguri Angathi, Patia Angathi, Babari phulia Angathi etc.
Click here for Part 2


15 comments:

  1. really nice piece of jewellery...i was overwhelmed to see such exquisite designs....since i hav a profound weakness for assamese jewellery,the discovery of this page today has given me a truimph like feeling....but i hav some queries regarding the prices..please help.

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  2. really nice designs...Have few queries...

    would like to do you take orders?? or whatever is available we need to choose?? where is your shop?and whats the satrting range..or can you pls let us know the price for junbiri..lukapara..and any other latest jewelley design price and name..

    Don want to spend much..something like with less cost still it should be traditional nice look..and long lasting..

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  3. @SUMI and AMALAN......HI...i am glad you liked the post..you can check more on the subject in my blog here...lemme clear myself here i sm a dental practitioner and in no way involved in designing ,selling ,marketing of these.....because i wanted to create some awareness amongst the people about this beautiful art,i wrote on this.

    THE ONLY HELP I CAN OFFER YOU IS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE SHOP OWNER'S NUMBER(PHONE)....GIVE ME A DAY AND WAIT FOR MY NEXT COMMENT HERE..

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  4. Here is the cell no of the owner...MRIGAKSHI...9864023446

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  5. enjoyed looking at all the designs I remember from my childhood, thanks. Which city is the shop in? I would love to see it in real life. Aysha

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  6. please help me to get the contact no...

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  7. Hi My name is Jyoti Barman ..........actually i m staying at Guwahati and i want to buy gold plated assamese jewellery via online or teleshoping. Can u help in this matter.

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  8. Jyoti ,the phone no of the shop owner is there in the post .

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  9. It shows the Assamese Pride...

    Pallavi Borah,Jamugurihat, Tezpur

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  10. Are there any such shops in Dibrugarh also? I am visiting there in end June, any contact will be welcomed. Shweta, Delhi

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    Replies
    1. Shweta ,I am not aware of any such store in Dibrugarh but you can look for related facebook pages on facebook.Try searching with the terms like assamese gohona or assamese jewellery.Thanks.

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  11. Hi,
    You may also visit https://www.facebook.com/RamdhenuTheEmporium or our stores at http://ramdhenu-ethnic.in
    Rgds
    Sangeeta

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