Ornaments has been an integral part of many cultures from the beginning of time. Men wore it as a sign of wealth and power, women wore it to look more beautiful. The art of dance has also evolved along side jewelry and now they have become intertwined. The tradition of Dance jewelry has become a necessary part of some performances as well as adding aesthetics to the costumes. The dancers pay close attention to each piece and how it is worn.
Headpieces, armlets, necklaces, bangles and foot ornaments are painstakingly deliberated upon. For certain costumes and dances the ornaments are highly symbolic. You find this true in dances that have a religious overtone. The ornaments chosen by belly dancers on the other hand are use merely for show.
The sound and look of the bangles, belts, scarves and such add a dramatic flair to the presentation. These costumes are meant to be flashy and to accentuate each movement. This is totally different from other forms of traditional dance.
India is known for its love of dance. Classical dancers are adorned from the tops of their head to the their toes. They wear headdresses, foot ornament as well as bracelets, necklaces and armlets. Semi-precious and precious stones are set into ornaments made from Gold or Silver. Liberal use is made of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls. While many pieces are mandatory the dancer still put a lot of thought into what pieces they buy. Seeing a classical dancer perform, you will soon be enthralled by the beauty and symmetry of the movements and enchanted by the costumes.
When shopping in a shop there will be many types of ornaments but not all can be incorporated into costumes, dancing ones are specific. Classical dancers wear what has come to be known as temple jewelry. Depending on their experience level you will see them mostly in authentic pieces, juniors and students use the imitations since it is less expensive. Real gems and metals can be heavy and this is one problem with wearing authentic pieces.. The ornament is not used to cover up the dance since their bodies are meant to be seen.
Gold is the metal of choice for Temple ones in the southern region. The belief is that Gold promotes well-being in the wearer. Odissi dancers are fonder of silver but they too use lots of gemstones in the designs.
The ornament is not big or bulky since the dancers have to use their limbs for many intricate steps. You will find that Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi or Kathak, have place so much importance on dancing jewelry that there are guides for what to wear for each dance.
India is a very old country and dance jewelry has been used for most of its existence. This ornament is of such importance in this country that rarely will you find a woman without it, it is not just for the rich. Births, marriages, coming of age and deaths all have a tradition piece of jewelry and a dance to go with it. Other countries see jewelry as only an adornment or a way to gather wealth but in India it is used for so much more.
Headpieces, armlets, necklaces, bangles and foot ornaments are painstakingly deliberated upon. For certain costumes and dances the ornaments are highly symbolic. You find this true in dances that have a religious overtone. The ornaments chosen by belly dancers on the other hand are use merely for show.
The sound and look of the bangles, belts, scarves and such add a dramatic flair to the presentation. These costumes are meant to be flashy and to accentuate each movement. This is totally different from other forms of traditional dance.
India is known for its love of dance. Classical dancers are adorned from the tops of their head to the their toes. They wear headdresses, foot ornament as well as bracelets, necklaces and armlets. Semi-precious and precious stones are set into ornaments made from Gold or Silver. Liberal use is made of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls. While many pieces are mandatory the dancer still put a lot of thought into what pieces they buy. Seeing a classical dancer perform, you will soon be enthralled by the beauty and symmetry of the movements and enchanted by the costumes.
When shopping in a shop there will be many types of ornaments but not all can be incorporated into costumes, dancing ones are specific. Classical dancers wear what has come to be known as temple jewelry. Depending on their experience level you will see them mostly in authentic pieces, juniors and students use the imitations since it is less expensive. Real gems and metals can be heavy and this is one problem with wearing authentic pieces.. The ornament is not used to cover up the dance since their bodies are meant to be seen.
Gold is the metal of choice for Temple ones in the southern region. The belief is that Gold promotes well-being in the wearer. Odissi dancers are fonder of silver but they too use lots of gemstones in the designs.
The ornament is not big or bulky since the dancers have to use their limbs for many intricate steps. You will find that Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi or Kathak, have place so much importance on dancing jewelry that there are guides for what to wear for each dance.
India is a very old country and dance jewelry has been used for most of its existence. This ornament is of such importance in this country that rarely will you find a woman without it, it is not just for the rich. Births, marriages, coming of age and deaths all have a tradition piece of jewelry and a dance to go with it. Other countries see jewelry as only an adornment or a way to gather wealth but in India it is used for so much more.
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