Golden Traditions of Kerala: Jewellery Designs That Define a Culture

God’s own country Kerala is rich with its culture and heritage. Not only for its greenery but also for the gold and jewellery traditions. Kerala traditional ornaments has always been a part of Kerala’s heritage. Be it festivals like Vishu, Onam or Weddings, gold ornaments of Kerala can be seen worn by women in almost every house-hold. These traditional relics often feature religious figurines, intricate detailing, and alluring motifs that make them extra special. Let’s take a deep dive into why Keralites endearingly cherish traditional Kerala jewellery designs, each with its own unique story to tell. A variety of evergreen jewels are found in the treasure trove of Kerala traditional jewellery designs. Let’s take a quick look at the top Kerala traditional jewellery names.

Kasu Mala

Kasu mala was a symbol of prosperity and power. This was also secret pride of Nair and Namboothiri women in Kerala. Kasu mala Passed down through generations, kasu mala holds a special place in the trousseau of a Kerala bride. Justifying the name, the necklace is made of coins. Kasu mala evolved with the modern fashion trends and many new variants were made. Gold kasu mala, gold plated, silver Kasu mala, and more. In Karanataka the necklace is called kasinasara and in Andhra it is kasulaperu.

Palakka Mala

Palakka Mala is a Kerala traditional ornament originally, they were only made in green colour to represent the green nature of the Kerala. In the modern day and fashion, the design has gone to multiple colours resulting in violet, red, blue, pink and more. Palakka comes in choker necklace form, pendants, bangles and earrings. A palakka design is usually made in leaf shape. Traditionally, the elaborate inlays of Palakka are set in heavy gold, imparting elegance to the jewellery. To make it more affordable, palakka designs are made available in other metals and alloys as well. You can browse it on Rajakumari website.

Manga Mala

Manga Mala is the beads or lockets of the necklace which are in the shape of mango, hence it is called Manga Mala. It is also a part of traditional bridal wearing in Kerala. It is also arranged in a beautiful setting to form a manga mala.

Thali Mala

Thali Mala is the most important gold ornament in Keralite woman’s life. It is worn around the neck of a married woman, it shows as a symbol of marriage also commitment and spiritual protection. Thali has a small pendent on a chain and it has a higher significance. It is the symbol of a married identity in the Kerala society.

Vanitha

Vanitha or gold bangles are all time essential to Kerala jewellery collection. This is seen in simple design to complicated designs, these bangles are worn on different occasions and mainly weddings and festive occasions.

Choker Mala

This is a type of necklace worn on neck it is traditional and contemporary in Kerala’s jewellery collection. It is also worn as a fashion statement with traditional values

Mulla Mottu Mala

This is a traditional necklace made of small gold beads strung together, Mulla mottu mala means garland of jasmine buds. It is highly worn by brides in Kerala. Some times it is also comes from grandmothers to their grandchildrens as an heirloom. This also shows the rich culture celebrated by malayalis.

Karimani Mala

The main attraction of this necklace is the black beads, these are stringed along with gold beads to make a karimani mala. These necklaces are seen to be worn by married women as a symbol of their marriage. This is also a traditional wearing in Kerala.

Poothali Mali

The floral designing in the necklace is the reason why it is called Poothali mala. It is one of the popular traditional ornaments of Kerala. Kattapoothali, thamara poothali are other variants of poothali mala that found their place in the traditional of Kerala brides.

Mani Mala

Mani mala is one of the most commonly used ornament in Kerala, many women use the necklace on a daily basis. The design comes in single and multiple layers. The gold ball beads are strung together to form a necklace.

Gothambumani Mala

The necklace is inspired by wheat grains, the delicate finishing make it beautiful on the person who wears it. This necklace also preferred in single layer and multiple layer.

Kingini Mala

Kingini mala was not a necklace at first it was used as a hip chains for kids later on, woen started wearing them as necklaces. The design is used as a hip belt, anklet, choker, long necklace and bracelets by many women in Kerala. The original design also had a bigger round bead as the centre piece which disappeared over time.

Lakshmi mala

Laksmi mala, the name came from the goddess Lakshmi of prosperity is always an important part of jewellery in Kerala and India. A Lakshmi mala is usually more of Kasu mala with Lakshmi charms or a pathakkam with Lakshmi pendant. Lakshmi mala is considered as auspicious in Kerala.

The tradition of wearing gold in Kerala is more than jewellery. It is a cultural richness and heritage passed from history with love. From the Kasu mala to the Lakshmi mala each have their own elegance and each have their own story. Gold becomes the language and a medium to speak about a culture. Rajakumari Gold & Diamonds have lot of antique Ornament and also have Kerala bridal jewellery collections. Wearing a piece of kerala’s traditional gold is also wearing a story, it is a respect to ancestors, celebrate identity and participation in a tradition that has endured for centuries.