Bridal Series – Thali Thirumangalyam

Thali or Thirumaangalayam is the Tamil equivalent of the Mangalsutra and a wedding necklace. It is one of marital signs and removed when the husband passes away. You can read about  Managalsutra in my previous bridal series post here. Thiru is akin to a respectful title – Mr. or Mrs. and maangalyam is an object that brings auspicious tidings and blessings. Essentially, a thirumaangalyam is an object that is a symbol of respect, prosperity and good tidings.

What is a Thali

Unlike mangalsutras, Mangalyam or Thali (Pronounced “Thaa lee” in Tamil) is always worn on a gold chain or a yellow cord (manja kayiru). Traditionally during the wedding the main Thali (bought by the groom side) is tied with the yellow cord as in literally tying the knot, where the groom makes the first knot and his sister/cousin makes the other two. Later after a few days, the Thali is strung with other beads, corals or coin on a gold chain. The gold chain is thick, often braided and is called as a kodi. The bride’s family may also present a thali. The bride may choose to wear both of them at the same time – either strung together in the same chain or separately or wear only what was given by her husband.

Thirumangalyam with Kodi (thick chain)

Thali based rituals

Thali is the only ornament that is a must at a Tamil Hindu wedding. You cannot get married without it.  In some communities, in a pre-wedding ritual, a jewelry artisan is called home on an auspicious day and given gold to create a Thirumangalyam, though most people buy it ready made from stores these days. It is inauspicious to keep a thali unstrung or un-worn after it is bought for a long time. Hence, people buy it just before a wedding. People who cannot afford gold or who take a vow to donate Gold Thali, often wear a piece of turmeric tied on a yellow cord in its place. Devotees offer Thali to Goddesses at temples with a prayer to get their daughters married. Offering one’s thali at temple is drastic measure and done when one’s husband or child is mortally ill. 

In the ancient past (during Ramayana/ Mahabaratha times) a Thali or a mangalsutra was not the wedding symbol. Women wore a tilak (sindoor) on their foreheads and men wore toe rings to show that they were married. Down the lane it slowly got incorporated into the list of wedding symbols.  Until the last 2 centuries, Thali was worn only by Hindus, later converted Christians started wearing them. The ones, that Kerala Syrian Christians wear is called Minnu. Now a lot of women from both Christian and Muslim communities also wear it. 

 Thali designs

The south Indian thali designs are numerous with each caste, sub caste, sect, clan (sometimes even families) having their own special designs. It is typically plain gold, but I have seen stone studded ones as well. Apart from the central focal, people also add coral beads, gold coins, gold rondrels and inverted cups(bottu). Sometimes charms with floral designs, leaves, and human/animal figures are also added. These are said to come from Thalis of well lived old women in the family. The focal is made from 4 to 8 grams of gold , could be flat or 3D. The forms are fertility symbols and have motifs like sun, moon, Thiruman, thulsi plant, Shiva linga, Goddess Meenakshi. Some more ornate than the others. 3D thalis are filled with resin-arraku to maintain their shape.

Periaachis from Thiruvanamalai or Jayamkondan wear fruit charms along with the main focal. These are typical mangoes, bananas or pineapples. In some communities, the very religious also wear figurines of their family deities they lead a pious life, following the rules set by their gurus. Grand (heavy) Lakshmi Thali with peacocks or parrots design border is worn in Theni, Sivagangai, Madurai district of Tamil Nadu.  The Nagarathaar Thali – Kalatheru is the most elaborate with 34 goldpieces. Read further here

Thali and well-being

Thali is believed to regularize a women’s blood circulation and control the pressure level to a large extent. It is also believed to protect the marriage from evil and reminds the woman that she is married and must be obedient to her husband and his family at all times. Regardless of how the Thali looks like it is always hidden or covered by the inner garments. At it is symbolic of the intimate bond between two people, it is personal and now for show. Some say that when gold comes in direct contact with the skin, the medicinal benefits occur.

Cultural practices at the present

At the present many women who get married choose to wear the thali only during festivals, functions or when going to temples just as a mark of respect for elders in the family. Many wear it/do not wear it due to peer pressure. Some find it unsafe to wear a 6-10 sovereign gold chain during daily commute and others prefer to accessorise according to their clothing and current fashion trends. At the other end of the spectrum are those who believe that removing the thali for even a minute may bring ill-fate, particularly to their husbands. 

 Beliefs surrounding Thali