Rajasthan reached the pinnacles of glory during the reign of the mighty Maharanas and their bejewelled Maharanis who held sway over these vast tracts of affluent desert lands of India. The Maharanas were Warrior Regents who protected and ruled their land with fierce loyalty and pride. Their consorts the Maharanis or Regina Grande were the female reflections of their Lord and Master and held court in the inner confines of the massive havelis or palaces of Rajasthan.
On Tilak Poshi Divas or coronation day of an ascending Maharana, the Regent and the Regina Grande were a dazzling spectacular pair to behold! Dressed like Gods they entered the Durbar or the Ceremonial Palace Hall amid the sounds of trumpets, drums, showering of rose petals and hails of "Maharana aur Maharani ki jai ho!"
The Maharana would be dressed in the finest gold spun brocades, silken turban (before coronation) and mind boggling priceless jewels from the treasury of his ancestral Kingdom. From the kalgi of his turban to the jewel stitched angrakha of his royal clothes he was an extravagant picture of the awesome power of his land. The layers of cascading necklaces he sported were rows upon rows of inestimable precious gems. Each emerald, ruby, sapphire or diamond the size of a pigeon egg.
The Maharani would be an even more dazzling representation to behold! Dressed in a spun gold brocade ghagra- choli,gossamer odhni of vibrant colours all created with gem stitched designs; ornate with bedazzling jewellery from head to foot in the choicest most precious jewels she would shine like a beacon of irredescent light walking besides her powerful Ranaji.
The cynosure of all eyes in the Durbar Hall would be the Royal Rani Haar that the Maharani wore for her Majesty's Coronation.
The Rani Haar was especially designed for the Regina Grande to be worn on the occasion of Tilak Poshi Divas.
A piece of jewelry the likes of which could not be found anywhere except in Royal Vaults.
The Rani Haar constituted four to five long ropes of emeralds rubies sapphires and pearls strung to reach the waist of the Maharani. Breaking the long ropes of jewels at intervals to basically support the massive length of the necklace were large three or four pendants on either sides at regular intervals. These pendants of gold kundan work had spectacular mixes of precious gems encrusted within. Each supporting pendent was rimmed with pearls and small diamonds to release the vibrant colours of the emeralds rubies and sapphires in the Kundan design.
The bejewelled ropes ended on each side of a gigantic central pendant of royal dimensions. This center piece was designed with jewels the sizes of which were not to be found outside the Vaults of the Kingdom.
The precious gems shone majestically in a unique design of Royal extravagance.
The weight and size of this necklace could only be sported by a Regina Grande encouraged to be carried by her powerful position as the Maharani.
The Rani Haar today has been toned down considerably to suit modern times. It is worn along with the Aad at Rajasthani Weddings and is an essential part of the bridal jewellery repertoire of Rajasthan.
No comments:
Post a Comment