South Indian Jewellery

South Indian Jewellery - Ornaments That Will Make You Look Royal Instantly

South India is known to be progressive yet rooted in its culture. With an emphasis on the worship of deities and nature, it is natural that its fashion and jewellery reflect the same. South Indian jewellery consists of opulent and intricate pieces in gold and sometimes encrusted with gemstones for a pop of color. As there are five states in this part of India, one type of jewellery can be known by many names. South jewelry designs are perfect for getting an authentic Indian look for any occasion from weddings to festivals. Let us understand various kinds of exquisite South Indian jewelry so you can choose the right pieces.

The Luxurious Varieties of South Indian Jewellery

There are culturally rich yet timeless South jewellery pieces that you can find. They are available in many exquisite motifs, generally set in rich gold and nowadays studded with stones. In this section, we will throw light on the alluring South India jewels.

Necklaces

Some of the popular motifs seen in many south India jewels include gods, and goddesses as well as flowers, animals, fruits, and other sub-types of these nature-inspired motifs. Along with mangalsutra necklace, these motifs are considered auspicious for brides and are also favorable during special occasions.

Pichimottu Mala and Mulla mottu mala sport jasmine designs while Poothali Mala, and Kuzhiminni are necklaces that have other floral motifs. Kasu Mala and Kashali Mala are the coin necklaces with Goddess Lakshmi on them. Nagapadam mala and Pulinakha Mala have animal motifs with the former symbolizing the snake’s hood and the latter sporting the tiger’s claws. Palakka mala and Manga mala have the popular mango motif in their design. Chandraminni and Kandasaram are your best bet if you want to recreate the moon’s beauty in your look. If you are in search of simple designs, Kuzhalmothiram Mala, Mani Mala (multi-layered gold bead necklace) and Avil Mala (rice flake motif necklace) are your options.

Gothambumani Mala (wheat grain motif necklace), Guttapusalu (rice pearl necklace) and Kempu Mala (temple design necklace) are the amazing necklace options in the collection of South Indian bridal jewellery. South Indian jewellery set with pieces in nakshi or temple jewellery is also a worthy option for south bridal jewellery trousseau. While a mangalsutra necklace is an ultimate sign of being married, these necklaces are also important for a newly married look.

Earrings

One of the important kinds of south Indian earrings is known as jhumkis or jimikkis due to their umbrella-shaped drop design. They form an important part of any south jewellery set. For the ones who want to take their look a notch up, south Indian earrings with antique design or designs such as Kempu (jewellery with red stones) and Nakshi (a type of temple jewellery). South India jewels in Kempu and Nakshi types are perfect as south Indian bridal jewellery.

Nose Rings

Along with the other finery, the nose ring also is important. Unlike the north Indian jewellery style, the south Indian jewelry does not have a big nose ring attached to the hair with a chain. It is a round and dainty ring that is set in gold and encrusted with small colorful stones. These are called mookuthis or mukhuttis and are a must-have in the bridal jewellery collection. For every day South Indian women prefer diamond or gold nose studs. Pullaku is a septum ring and is worn at the piece of cartilage that separates the two nostrils. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be paired with a nose ring or worn on their own.

Mathapatti and Maangtikka

The head ornaments of the south jewellery are now immensely popular thanks to Deepika Padukone’s iconic wedding look. Nethi Chutti is a kind of mathapatti while Papidi Billa and Nettipattam are maang tikka. While both are adorned on the center of the head, there is a difference in design between a matha patti and maang tikka. A mathapatti is a three-sided chain with a pendant in the middle and a maangtikka is a chain with a pendant.

Hair Accessories

South Indians are known for their long, thick and lustrous hair and braiding them to tie them up. Naturally, their tied hair also requires adornments and jewellery. Jada billalu also known as Jadanagam or Jada Billa is a popular gold hair accessory worn along the braid’s length. They are multiple intricate pendants one below the other. The motifs of the pendants could be peacocks and goddesses. For an experimental look, you can choose kunjalam which is an accessory tied at the end of your hairstyle. It has an ornate pendant and false hair, providing the illusion of a longer hair length. There are also circular ornate bun pins available encrusted with colorful stones for the ones who opt out of wearing their hair in a braid.

Bangles and Armlets

Like every kind of Indian jewellery, opulent bangles and armlets are important in any south jewellery set. Mostly, the bangles are set in gold and can have an elaborate filigree work and studded with diamonds or colorful precious stones. The armlets are called ara vanki and are in an inverted V-design and crafted in gold and have motifs of Goddesses, particularly Goddess Lakshmi. For a lighter yet more traditional design, look for the ara vanki with peacock motif. The modern South Indian jewellery designs have flowers or leaves with diamonds and stones encrusted in them. The ara vanki with goddess motif on it is considered significant in the south Indian bridal jewellery as the motif is considered auspicious for the would-be married woman.

Waist Belts

If you see the photos of a South Indian bride in her ethnic attire, you will undoubtedly see a waist accessory. It will not be a thin chain but a thick gold ornate waist belt. The waist belt is called a vaddanam or oddiyanam and it is worn to signify the bond of the bride with the new family. Embedded with precious and semi-precious stones, these waist belt are often carved with motifs of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Krishna and Lord Vishnu, to invoke protection and prosperity for the newly married couple. Vaddanams are also worn during festival celebrations and family events. Because of their immense importance in weddings and other special events, they are considered a must-have in a south Indian jewellery set.

Fashion Accessories to Match with South Indian Jewellery

Gajra: A gajra made of fresh jasmine flowers is a quintessential accessory in an authentic South Indian look. The fragrance and beauty of these flowers go perfectly with the appeal of South Indian jewelry. You can pair gajra with temple jewellery and wrap it around a bun or braid. You can also wear it with loose hair for a more modish yet ethnic vibe.

Potli Bags: Potli bags are usually made with rich fabric along with beautiful embroidery for luxury appeal, these small drawstring bags often feature zari, beads and embroidery. You can adorn these bags with your South Indian jewellery for an elaborate look. Choose a potli bag in a color that complements your outfit and jewelry - For example, if you're wearing gold jewelry, opt for a potli with gold or metallic accents to keep the look adhesive.

Embellished Footwear: Footwear is an often-overlooked accessory that can amplify your overall look. Decked mojris with baroque embroidery, beadwork, or metallic accents, can perfectly complement South Indian jewelry. Match your footwear to the tone of your jewelry - gold or silver. For a more traditional look, opt for kolhapuris or embellished sandals that echo the richness of your jewelry.

Bindi: A bindi is a small but impactful accessory when you're wearing South Indian jewelry. Married women can go for a red bindi of medium size while unmarried women can amplify their look with a small-size bindi. A simple bindi looks good when you are all decked up but on other special occasions, you can go for a decorative bindi.

Nose Rings (Mukuthi or Nath): Nose rings are a traditional accessory in South Indian culture and can range from small studs (mukuthi) to elaborate hoops (nath). Mukuthi and Nath garnish the appeal of South Indian jewelry during weddings and religious ceremonies. Try pairing an exquisite Nose ring with a heavy South Indian outfit to avoid looking too busy. You can go for a more elaborate nath with pearls that can complement your bridal or festive look.

Outfits that Match with South Indian Jewelry

South Indian jewelry is beloved, thanks to its intricate designs that hold cultural significance. When selecting an ensemble that complements this beautiful accessory, outfit ideas that go best include:

Kanjeevaram Silk Sarees: Kanjeevaram sarees with their luxurious fabrics, vibrant colors and intricate zari work are a timeless classic when it comes to accessorizing with South Indian jewelry. Vibrant patterns and luxurious fabric of Kanjeevaram silk sarees provide the ideal canvas for heavy south Indian gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings - giving your jewelry an incredible adornment that stands out!

Banarasi Silk Lehenga: Banarasi silk lehengas hail from North India but have become popular choices among brides-to-be in South India for bridal attire. Their luxurious brocade work and closed knit designs add flair and complement South Indian jewelry beautifully - this could make a wonderful choice to complete your South Indian jewelry ensemble!

Kasavu Sarees: The Kasavu saree, with its off-white color and golden border, has become an indispensable staple in Keralan traditional attire - its simple aesthetic providing the ideal canvas to showcase stunning South Indian jewelry pieces.

Silk Sarees:Silk sarees make an elegant choice when matching South Indian jewelry. Silk sarees are well-known for their exquisite sheen and light texture; while their solid colors and simple designs offer a sturdy foundation to embellish with more ornate pieces of jewelry.

Shop South Indian Jewellery Sets at Mirraw Online Store

Now that you have seen how big and beautiful the world of South Indian jewelry is, you must be tempted to buy all the pieces. Do not worry, as Mirraw is where your search for this jewelry type ends. From temple jewellery online to South Indian bridal jewellery online, you can find them here! Not only these, but you can also get other Indian jewellery types such as Maharashtrian, Rajasthani, and Punjabi jewellery. You can also experiment with traditional jewellery in materials like Polki, Kundan, and Meenakari. You can get a great online shopping experience at Mirraw with easy filters and effortless product delivery. Get free shipping in India and fast shipping at international locations. Find your favorite pieces at incredible prices. So explore and shop now!