Heirlooms add a special sparkle

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As the daughter leaves the threshold of her home and enters her new world, it is an old custom to receive a piece of traditional family jewellery from either her mother, grandmother or mother-in-law. The heirloom pieces are predominantly stocked up in lockers, meant to be taken out for ‘special occasions’.

With Diwali and wedding season round the corner; city celebs are all set to wear choker sets, mang-tikkas and jhumkis that are very special to them.
Artist Nupur Kundu, who has a fetish for tradional jewellery, says, “I have very fond memories of my mother wearing a classic jhumka-style earrings in gold on every special occasion. I have always associated her lovely smile with this classic piece which she inherited from my grandmother. Recently, I was gifted those earrings on my birthday. It will always remind me of my mother’s warmth. I plan to wear it this festive season.”
Former model and grooming expert, Meyhar Bhasin adores her three-layered polki neckpiece with turquoise stones given to her by her mother-in-law. “I had a court marriage followed by a reception for close friends and family. My mother-in-law was supposed to wear this beautiful 120-year-old family polki set for it. When she showed it to me, I really loved it. And then the next thing she did was gift it to me on my reception! I was overwhelmed by her gesture,” she says.
Socialite and ex-model Ramneek Pantal loves her pink and green polki set with traditional jhumkis, that belonged to her mother. She says, “It is a traditional set yet quite modern in its feel. I have a photograph of my mother wearing it for a modelling assignment. It always brings a smile on my face. I also have a photograph of me wearing the polki set. Those who have had a chance to see both the photographs always talk about how similar we look.”
Designer Nikki Mahajan loves to wear her navratan mangtikka for family functions. “It is a beautiful piece with pahari stones and is very striking. It was passed on from my great grandmother and is quite old,” she says.
Kathak exponent Shovana Narayan is in absolute awe of her mother’s paisley gold earrings edged with pearls. She used to wear it for most weddings and festivals. “Till the 90s I used to wear the earrings passed on from my mother to me which she had received from my maternal grandmother, whom she lost very early in life. It is quite sacred for me. So I have chosen to preserve it and pass it on to my daughter-in-law someday!”