Manga Malai ..... The Mango Necklace.

The Mango first appeared as early as 25 million years ago in North-East India, Myanmar and Bangladesh from where it travelled to the southern peninsular of India.   

This unique fruit with its unforgettable sweet aromatic flavour was immediately considered to be 'manna' bestowed by the Gods on human beings.

The Ancient South- Indian kingdoms of the Chola, Pandya and Chera dynasties that today comprise modern Western Tamil Nadu and Kerala, along the western Malabar Coast  of Southern India declared the Mango to be not just the Royal fruit of the Kingdom, but as was the practice of those times and still is in South-India, religion took centre stage and the Mango found its ultimate glory at the feet of the Gods.

Every element of the mango tree as well as its fruit was considered to be sacred, hence its fruit and  leaves were used not only in worship inside Temples, but also in  Wedding Mandaps . 

The mango leaves were strung together to form a garland called a  toran; which was hung at the entrances of temples and Mandaps to ward off evil. One of the main significance of hanging a toran of mango leaves on a Wedding Mandapa is that it is supposed to be a symbol of fertility and hence a sign of auspicious blessing bestowed on the Union.

Ancient legends have it that in Hinduism, Lord Shiva (fertility) and Kama(love) are represented by the symbolic mango leaves.  

The toran also  represents goddess Mahalaxmi and prevents any negative energy or drushti dosham (evil eye) from entering the threshold of the Wedding Mandapa. 

As is the tradition of India; all things propitious are absorbed in the jewellery of the land. So was the Mango and its leaves. 

 The talented jewellery karigars of that time incorporated the toraninto an innovative masterpiece - a Dazzling piece of jewellery! 

In Southern Indian languages the mango was called 'Manga' and a garland 'Malai'

Thus was born this unique necklace called Manga Malai a garland of Mangoes. Besides adorning the sacred Murtis inside temples like Menaxshi and Tirupati, the Manga Malai an Elaborate, stunningly gorgeous necklace is also worn by South-Indian brides. 

Crafted in precious rubies emeralds and diamonds, the gems are set using the kundala-velai technique which relates to the north Indian kundan tradition of using a lac-filled sheet of gold to secure the gem. The Manga Malai is made up of forty-six mango shaped pendants set with a dazzling diamond in the middle. Each pendant is interspersed with trefoil-shaped elements surrounded by cabochon rubies. The mango-shaped pendants are held in place by the use of two flat knitted gold wire chains that pass through loops on the back of the mango pendants. These gold chains are called thattaiyana ponnulla saradu which in ancient times were woven out of gold threads. 

The Manga Malai is no ordinary piece of jewellery. It is a magnificent necklace that carries centuries of culture, heritage, and tradition in its inimitable design.

Southern India follows the Matriarchal tradition of Family progression. Matriarchy is descent and inheritance being traced through the female line.  It is all about Female Power and authority. Hence Bridal jewellery and property is passed from Grandmother to Mother to Daughter. Because this jewellery repertoire has been painstakingly designed and crafted under the scrutiny of the Matriarch for centuries; the traditional Manga Malai is one of the most artistic and beautiful pieces of jewellery in the cache of Indian Jewellery. 

With its vibrant and sparkling precious gems encrusted in pure gold; the Manga Malai is the Pièce De Résistance worn by the bejewelled bride on her wedding day!

Today in techno-savvy India this ancient necklace has been revived to be worn not only by Southern Brides at weddings, but also by Film Actresses and Chic Socialites who wish to make an everlasting fashion statement at an Exclusive Social Affair!