Kasulaperu .....Lakshmi Coins Heirloom

  

The traditional jewellery of Southern India has always been quite heavy consisting of voluminous gold pieces. 

Traditional South-Indian jewellery has covered its journey for nearly 5000 years, as an evolving art form. Its beauty lies in the uniqueness of its design and the efforts of the workmanship involved in creating the intricate designs.

In Tamil Nadu and Kerala, jewellery has not only traditional and aesthetic value, but is also considered as a source of security in times of financial crisis. The amount of jewellery owned by a woman also signifies her status and adds to the riches in her name. 

The birth of a girl in ancient Northern parts of India spread a pall of gloom over the household; but in South India since centuries the birth of a daughter was a reason to celebrate!

The Dravidian culture of South-India bestows property rights on the female child. Being a Matriarchal society Inheritance is passed down the female linage. Besides immovable property special attention is given to the Bridal Jewellery of a South Indian girl at the time of marriage.

This cache of jewellery is referred to as "Stree Dhan" gifted to her by both; her parents and In-laws, as the name indicates:  

Stree-woman 

 Dhan-wealth 

This collection of wealth in jewellery form is given as a security measure for the married woman.

"Stree Dhan" is the exclusive property of the woman to do with it as she pleases throughout her life, without interference either from her husband, parents or In-laws.  

Many traditional pieces of gold and gem encrusted jewellery passed down the millenniums have become an essential component of the repertoire of "Stree Dhan" But none as magnificent as the Kasulaperu.

This gorgeous necklace is crafted out of gold coins strung together to meet at a central point holding a solid gold image of Goddess Lakshmi within a gold temple. Sometimes the heavy Lakshmi pendant is omitted and the Kasulaperu is just an opulent necklace of Gold Coins strung together without gaps to form a solid sparkling Gold necklace covering the bridal bosom of the girl.

Tradition in South India has it that since the birth of the female child the mother and grandmother collect gold coins embossed with the image of Lakshmi; in other words 5 or 10gm uniform gold sovereigns, every year till the girl reaches a marriageable age. 

The coins are bought on her birthdays, important religious festivals etc to be saved away till the collections reaches a decent amount to be strung by the jeweller to create a magnificent Kasulaperu..

Depending on the financial strength of the family the Kasulaperu could be a necklace of 50, 80 sometimes even 100 coins.

Today many a Kasulaperu have small precious rubies and emeralds interspersed in the design of the necklace; but the focus is on an Imperial Gold Coin Necklace blessed by none other than Goddess Lakshmi herself.

A Kasulaperu is gifted by the bride's parents, while the Thaali or Mangalsutra is gifted by the Husband. 

Both these auspicious necklaces are obligatory in the wedding ceremony of South-India.