Chennai is starting to warm up again, with our brief Winter (rather cold season) being already over. Hopefully we’ll get another spell in late december or january. Till then, As the rest of the world enjoys winter, I thought I’ll showcase pictures of jewelry from my Ragamala collection, that were created based on the Malkaus raga – the raga of the winter season.
Malkauns or Malkaus Raga or Malkaush is one of the oldest ragas of Indian classical (Hindustani) music and its carnatic equivalent is Hindolam. Some texts claim that it is a raga that was devised to cool down Lord Shiva’s temper as Mal+Kaushik means “He who wears serpents like a garland”. As its a cooling Raga, its supposed to be serious yet it imparts a soothing and an almost intoxicating feeling making it suitable for late night rendition.
Parent Raga: Malkaus Raga
Wives: Gaundkari, Devagandhari, Gandhari, Seehute, Dhanasri. Sons: Maru, Mustang, Mewara, Parbal, Chand, Khokhat, Bhora, Nad.
I tried creating pieces on the parent Malkaus raga, but the serious and sober nature of the paintings of the parent raga, didn’t quite go with the festive feel I was looking for my collection. Unlike the other families where I focused a lot on the male parent raga, here I skipped the Malkaus Raga and went with the gorgeous Raginis (female ragas or wives) that turned out to be best sellers.
Dhanasri Opulent necklace
What are Indian festivities without the opulence of colors? With that in mind I chose the painting of Dhanasri raginiwhere she can be seen creating art or indulging in Alekha Vidya (The art of painting). I made an Asymmetrical bead necklace in red, blue and yellow with Dhanasri ragini focal in a 32g copper handcut sheet with pearl chain border. The balancing focal is a filigree metal component colored with patina inks. Dhanasri ragini is the wife of malkaus raga and is played in the early afternoons for a cheerful feeling.
Dhanasri cord necklace
Here I have used the same image on a 32g copper handcut focal with rhinestone border with some bead danglers. However, the resultant piece looks very simple and wearable due to the thin blue handmade silk cord on which the pendant is wire wrapped.
Seehuti Bottle Necklace – My “Story In a bottle design” with the story of Rama and Varuna was a big hit in my previous chithiram collection from 2012, that I decided to bring back the same concept with a more earthy twist here. I have used an image of a lady training two tigers depicting seehuthi Ragini and embellished the bottle with shiny hemp cord and rhinetones. Of all the Ragini paintings, this one is my favourite because of the young tigers in the picture. The bottle is completely glazed with resin & the necklace contains orange and green glass beads, metal rings along with brown suede cord.
On Clients’ requests I made simple beaded matching earrings for all the three neckalces so that they could be worn as sets or given away as gifts. So what did you think of them? Also I get asked all the time on how to style my pieces, so here are some ideas for these three pieces.
Styling Ideas for Malkaus raga jewelry
- Dhanasri Opulent necklace – Best worn with a saree (navy, black, coffee, off white, cream and beige are the best options). Compliment with beaded earrings and simple thin gold bangles (not more than two on a wrist). It would also be worn with small studs with a plain dress for a fusion look. Wear golden color sandals to complete the look.
- Dhanasri cord necklace – Would look great with Kurtas, Kutis, Kameez and Saree for a semi formal to casual look with an ethnic/boho touch. It would go with colors like blue, red, purple, yellow, white, offwhite or brown
- Seehuti Bottle Necklace – This is a multi tasking piece and can be worn with anything from a white shirt/Tshirt with jeans to a Silk saree. Have fun experimenting with it
Find previous posts on the other Raga Families here:
What is Ragamala?
Bhairav Raga
Megh Raga
I hope you find it interesting
Cheers
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