The word necklace if broken into two; bespeaks a very Western concept....Neck and Lace. It adds up to a pretty adornment worn at the neck of a woman.
An ornament like any other that is included in the cache of all other pieces of jewellery that is a part of the embellishment of a woman's personality.
But when you say Necklace in terms of India it opens up a Pandora's Box of IMAGERY! Floating before your mind's eye will be eons of History, Tradition, Culture and Heritage of a diverse yet unified people interlocked by thousands and thousands of years of belonging to one Land....Hindustan.
In India unlike any other place on this earth the Necklace is not known by just one name. Different ethnic groups called it by varied names depending on the prevailing conditions and influences of their tribal or clannish prerogatives.
With the foreign invasions of India many more dimensions were added to this ornament which undoubtedly was the pièce de résistance of the repertoire of Indian Jewellery.
Despite several Indian dialects, an elaborate Necklace, was collectively known as a Haar; that was designed for the Indian bride; to decorate her and to safeguard her modesty.
Besides, the Haar which also had various permutations and combinations till it reached its final majestically ornate presentation; was also made in smaller more austere designs so as to be suitably worn by women who were not brides, but needed to rise to various occasions.
There were massive Haars that looked like bibs, while some began at the throat like a collar and ended at the navel. Some were pliable while others were solid bands or manacle- like. Some were strings and strings cascading from a solid piece at the neck and ending between the cleavage while others were long flat ornate belts on either sides ending in a huge fan-like pendant or a round disc.
Besides these humongous Haars there were dainty necklaces worn on a daily basis. These further gave way to the concept of smaller collars, semi circular pieces as well as flat chains which were a compromise between a chain and a long Haar.
An Indian woman is incomplete with out her jewellery bearing signs of being married. The Haar was further designed into symbols of holy matrimony.
These specialized ornamental necklaces were only allowed to be resplendent on the persona of a woman who was secure in wedlock.
Necklaces were also a favourite gift to the Gods in the temples. Some of the most exquisite Haars can be found in illustrious temples around India resplendent in all their dazzling glory; sparkling with precious priceless gems studded in gold around the auspicious necks of powerful Gods.
An Indian woman however emancipated, loses her basic identity without a traditional Necklace worn by her on special occasions, which bears witness to the tribe, clan or community her forefathers belonged to.
This traditional identification is her very bloodline.
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