The Kerala bridal jewellery is one of the most beautiful pieces of adornment that completely compliments the bride. There is no denying the fact that a Kerala bride looks like a ‘Golden Goddess’ on her D-day; thanks to the wonderful she wears.
While it might appear to be some sort of ‘traditional stuff’; did you know that each piece of jewellery for the Malayali bride is special. Every piece of gold jewellery has a story to tell.
Hence, a lot of careful selection and choices are placed into ensuring that the bride looks nothing short of goddess Lakshmi on her D-day.
But, what are some of the most important pieces in the Kerala bridal jewellery set for the Malayali bride? Well, we at myMandap bring to you some of the most important pieces of wedding jewellery for the Kerala bride.
Table of Contents
Malla Mottu Mala Kerala Bridal Jewellery
Wondering what that floral garland-like gold necklace is the Kerala bride wearing? Well, this is the Malla Mottu Mala Kerala bridal jewellery. Also, known as simply the ‘Mala’. It appears to be more like an array of tiny Jasmine bud motifs.
The Malla Mottu Mala is the longest of the multiple necklaces that the bride wears on her wedding day. The Malla Mottu Mala Kerala bridal jewellery adds the much-needed bling to the bridal wear and its length directly reflects the weight and value of the piece.
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Manga Mala Kerala Bridal Jewellery
This is yet another necklace worn by the Kerala bride and comprises precious gemstones and even diamonds in some cases. This comprises of design of delicate Ambi Motifs. The Manga Mala Kerala bridal jewellery is an important part of the traditional jewellery set for the Malayali bride.
The necklace itself is quite pretty with Paisley motifs all around the necklace in the same shape and size. This piece of jewellery is also an important part of the jewellery worn by the south Indian brides.
However, this is not some random selection of design, but rather a well thought one. the ‘Manga’ means Mango, referring to the shape that each motif comprises. The significance lies in the fact that the Mango tree is regarded as an important part of Indian culture. It denotes love, wealth, and fertility.
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Lakshmi Mala Kerala bridal jewellery
Goddess Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth. Hence, the deity is offered a special place in Kerala bridal jewellery. Have you noticed the necklace of coins worn by the South Indian brides? Well, this is a garland of Gold coins with the goddess Lakshmi image engraved in each of them.
The significance is important as well, as it denotes the fact that the bride brings prosperity and wealth to the home of her in-laws. The necklace itself comprises a central motif that is chunky with the image of the goddess Lakshmi herself.
Palakka Mala Kerala Bridal Jewellery
This comprises a gold necklace with ruby, emerald, and also White stones embedded in gold for Kerala bridal jewellery. The necklace comprises gold leaf motifs all around that encase the precious stones.
However, each of these colours signifies an important aspect like wealth, fertility, and prosperity. This is an important part of the wedding ceremony in Kerala and enhances the entire bridal look.
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Nagapada Thali Kerala Bridal Jewellery
This necklace is the one that is placed closest to the neck. It represents or rather symbolizes Naga or King Cobra. You can easily spot this piece of jewellery as it is encrusted with precious gemstones. The best part about the Nagapada is that it forms a striking contrast with the Ivory White of the Bridal wear in Kerala weddings.
The Nagapada Thali is a special piece of jewellery and can be worn on a special occasion. This piece of jewellery signifies strength, and royalty and is considered auspicious and special at the same time.
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Pathaka Kerala Bridal Jewellery
This is the very first among the wedding jewellery that is worn by the bride as she gets ready for her wedding. The design comprises a central pendant incorporated with stone and other precious elements that has been threaded into a thick Gold chain.
Typically the pendant comprises a fine engraving of the goddess Lakshmi into it. It symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Hence you will easily find these pieces of Kerala bridal jewellery as a compulsion in every bride’s trousseau.
The Pathaka is the Southern equivalence of the Mangalsutra. It denotes the marital status of the Mayaali bride and is of grave importance for her throughout her marriage.
Poothali Mala Kerala Bridal Jewellery
Also known as the Flower Necklace, the Poothali Mala signifies the elements of nature embedded into it. This jewellery piece is one of the favourites of the bride and special care is taken to make the right selection that compliments the bridal wear.
Much like a ‘Choker necklace’, the Poothali Mala is worn close to the neck and is available in various patterns and designs. The most common is a series of beads in gold or Pearl lining the outermost edge. Some of the more modern design involves Coloured stones and even Diamonds.
The Poothali Mala can be worn as a statement piece as well for parties and special events.
Elakkathali Kerala Bridal Jewellery
This is yet another Choker necklace variety that forms an important aspect of the Kerala bridal jewellery. This necklace is made of pure Malabar Gold. The design comprises various gold plates that are twisted along each other to form a chain-like structure.
The Elakkathali is also called Kasu Mala and is available in various patterns to suit the taste of the modern bride. Some of the more modern designs also comprise of ‘Jaal-like structure’, danglers, among many others.
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Jhimki Kerala Bridal jewellery
As much has been talked about the necklace designs and adornments for the typical Malayali bride, nevertheless, we need to talk about the earrings too. As you might have noticed, the earrings are an important part of the bridal wear as well and these are quite specific and special at the same time.
The typical Kerala bridal jewellery earrings are Bell-shaped structures and are available in various sizes. These are the quintessential part of the Kerala wedding for the bride and instantly transforms her into a goddess.
The gold earrings also comprise tiny bells at the very end, offering the much-needed bling for the wedding.
The Palakka Bangle Kerala Bridal Jewellery
Bangles are an essential part of Kerala bridal jewellery and have to be incorporated in every Indian wedding irrespective of the state we are referring to. Here we are talking about the very special Palakka Bangles favoured by the Kerala brides.
Much like the name itself, the designs on the Palakka bangles are in coordination with the Palakka Malaa. The Motifs and the exclusive leaf designs are the same in both pieces. Precious stones are also occurring in repeating patterns throughout the loop.
Kolusu Kerala Bridal Jewellery
The bridal adornment is incomplete without the Payaal. Likewise, the Kerala bride wears the traditional Jhallar style anklet. Much like the regular payal, these have a similar design, except you, ill find that these are much heavier in terms of design and the gold used.
Also, there are present precious gemstones that occur in between the designs that offer the kind of richness one expects from the bridal Payaal or Kolusu.
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The Hair Accessories Kerala Bridal Jewellery
The hair accessories are an important part of the bridal jewellery and the Kerala bride is nothing less. Here, we are referring to the Maang Tikaa that shines like her pride on her forehead. This is another essential jewellery piece that almost all brides from across the country wear on their wedding day.
Likewise, the Maang Tikaa worn by the Mlyaali bride is a flat pendant-shaped structure in gold suspended by a chain that is fixed by a hook onto the hairstyle. The shape and size of the Maang Tikaa are various with plenty of design options to select from. Also, certain patterns have precious stones within them.
The Christian brides also wear the Tiara atop their veil, something that is so pretty and adorable. The tiara can be a delicate piece of work with diamonds and other precious stones or a full-fledged crown! Whatever the preference, the idea is to be able to complement the face and the wedding dress accordingly.
Likewise, the Muslim Bride from Kerala favours the ‘Jhoomar’ or the ‘Chapkaa’ on the side of her head along with the other pieces of regular Kerala jewellery. This is an elaborate piece of jewellery that comprises a Pendant design that is suspended with multiple chains running parallel to each other.
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Jewellery and Bride, or more precisely the woman-kind are synonymous with each other. One cannot imagine a woman to be without her jewels and vice versa. But did you know that the origins of jewellery for women, according to one theory, was to ‘contain’ their energy and aggression?
Strangely, each piece of Jewellery, if traced back, will surely guide you to a school of thought that believed that a woman needs to be ‘enchained’. Hence, these mild versions of confinements were specifically crafted for certain parts of her body to be able to ‘tame her’.
Not anymore. Girls, it’s your world too. Wear your jewels like your honour and flaunt them like your pride. Jewellery is your asset and your wealth that ensures you have a ‘backup’ for the various challenges in life. So, go ahead and wear every piece like a part of you, and be sure to out-shine every one of them.