Date:07/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/07/stories/2008110750070200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Zardosi embroidery on bangles, cynosure at expo

Staff Reporter

Photo: R.Shivaji Rao

Glittering: The Jewel Expo 2008 that opened on Wednesday at the Poompuhar showroom on Anna Salai in Chennai offers a wide range of jewellery. —

CHENNAI: Lac bangle craftsmen of Rajasthan, known for innovation, have now come up with Zardosi embroidery on bangles. These bangles, which go well with embroidered saris or salwars, are the cynosure at Jewel Expo 2008 that opened on Wednesday at the Poompuhar showroom of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd on Anna Salai.

Artisan Ratanlal Ninor from Ajmer explained that the bangles with cultured pearls and minakari work and sets with zircon stones are among the latest arrivals. The stones are individually fixed so they are very strong, he said. Showcased at the exhibition are brooches, pendants, bracelets, bangle sets, earrings, dance sets, rings, haarams, kundan jewellery sets and neckwear made of pure silver and gold plating with semi precious and precious stones. S. Ramesh, a craftsman of Chennai, who makes neckwear using 10 carat stones of blue jade, lapis, turquoise and emerald, said that such heavy sets were bought by Non-Resident Indians and foreigners.

Jewellery manufacturers from Madurai have Bharathanatyam jewellery sets with kemp stones, which the city is famous for. Panchaloka bangles set on plastic made by women of Thiruvananthapuram also vie for customers’ attention.

There is a discount of 10 per cent on jewellery pieces at the exhibition, which is on till November 18.

Poompuhar also offers a special discount of 20 per cent on select items from its collection of bronze icons, brass lamps, Thanjavur paintings, Thanjavur art plates, wood carvings and sandal wood figures.