Kasumala

A garland of coins

A garland of gold coinsIndian Family Jewels

AN INTRODUCTION TO FAMILY JEWELS

‘Family Jewels: Indian Adornment Revealed’ is an effort to impart knowledge on the distinction of India’s precious jewellery, recognising many of its roots including tribal, agrarian, trade-based or royal in nature.

Kasumala - A Video IntroductionIndian Family Jewels

Kasumala with small blue glass beadsIndian Family Jewels

The Kasumala

The Kasumala is a necklace made by stringing identical coins very closely, often engraved with motifs and is an important part of the wedding trousseau. It became popular during the period of Roman trade.

Kasumalai necklaceIndian Family Jewels

Kasumala - Etymology

Literally translating to 'necklace of coins', i.e., Kasu (coin) Mala (necklace), the Kasumala is a garland of gold coins strung very closely so they often slightly overlap each other.

Tara, A lady from Madras (Circa 1910) by Ravi Varma Press Karla Lonavala and Raja Ravi VarmaThe Ganesh Shivaswamy Foundation

The Design

The Kasumala is made by stringing many identical coins together which overlap slightly. Some of these coins were part of trade, while some are specifically designed with special motifs of birds, prominent personalities like Queen Victoria or goddesses including Lakshmi.

Kasumala - The Other namesIndian Family Jewels

Kasumala - The other names

The Kasumala is also known as Kasu malai, Kanchanamala, Rupaiya har, Kasulaperu in Telugu and Kasu haram or Lakshmi sara in Kerala.

Kasumala - The EtymologyIndian Family Jewels

Kasumalai - EtymologyIndian Family Jewels

Kasumalai - Etymology

Literally translating to 'necklace of coins', i.e., Kasu (coin) Mala (necklace), the Kasumala is a garland of gold coins strung very closely so they often slightly overlap each other.

Kasumala - The significanceIndian Family Jewels

The Significance of Kasumala

Kasumala - A Part of the Wedding TrousseauIndian Family Jewels

Kasumala - A Part of the Wedding Trousseau

Kasumala - The DesignIndian Family Jewels

Kasumala - The Design

Kasumala - The motifsIndian Family Jewels

Kasumala - The motifs

Kasumala - The materialIndian Family Jewels

Kasumala - The material

A bride in her Kasumala, From the collection of: Indian Family Jewels
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A bride in her Kasumala, From the collection of: Indian Family Jewels
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Kasumala - Origins and ContentionsIndian Family Jewels

Kasumala - Origins and Contentions

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