Kannadiga Bride Doll (Karnataka)

Weddings are an opulent affair in India, and are celebrated with grandeur and great joy. Jewellery forms the most important part of an Indian bride’s trousseau. South Indian brides are a symbol of beauty, pride and elegance! They revel in their love for gold temple jewelry. The state of Karnataka in Southern India is one India’s most culturally rich and diverse states with Kannada as its state language. Kannada speaking people are called Kannadigas. Let’s have a look at quintessentially Kannadiga wedding jewellery that our bride doll is wearing.

The Kannadiga bride is adorned with a Netri Chutti and Thale Bottu (head ornament) on the forehead to enhance the beauty of her eyes and forehead. On her ear lobes, she wears the Muthina Vale Jhimki – these are dome-shaped earrings encrusted with precious stones like rubies, pearls or diamonds.

The first necklace she is wearing is the Mavinakayi Addigai – this is the Kannadiga version of the popular ‘Mango necklace’ of Southern India. It has paisley/mango shaped motifs.  This ethnic gold necklace is enhanced with precious stones for a Kannadiga twist.

The Lakshmi Sara is a thick gold chain with a huge pendant depicting Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth and Lord Vishnu’s consort.  The ornate Kasina Sara is a series of small gold coins weaved into a gold chain that has the Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi engraved on every coin. The largest necklace worn by our Kannadiga bride is the Entele Sara; a layered chain that is made of gold beads.Adorning her waist to hold her saree in place is the Navilu Daabu – a golden waist band with paisley motifs. An ornament shaped like an arched snake, finely crafted with stones and pearls, an amulet which is called Tholu Bandhi is worn on the arms. The bride also wears dainty anklets made of silver.

The Kannadiga bride typically wears heavy and intricately crafted bangles like the Guruvina Kada with red stones, Kasina Bale that has coin motifs, and Pacha Kampina Bale designed with green and red stones. To adorn her dainty fingers, she wears Pacha Kempina Ungaru, which is a finger ring crafted with rubies and/or emeralds.

The bride’s is tied in a neat bun that extends into a long braid. The hair bun is adorned with flowers and bun pins while the braid is adorned with a long snake like ornament called Jadanagam or Jada Bille. This piece of jewellery is either one long piece or multiple smaller pieces of gold adornments, which are placed along the length of the hair braid. The end of the braid ends with three cute gold capped black balls called Jada Kunjam.

How can any Hindu wedding be complete without the bride adorning jewellery that mark her “married” status? In Kannadiga custom, the Mangalya Sara and Hebbat fulfil this task. The Mangalya Sara comprises a gold chain with black beads and a pendant at its centre. (The pendant may vary as per caste.) The Hebbat is toe ring made of silver and is worn by married Kannadiga ladies on the fourth toe.

Behold the Kannadiga Bride doll from the K4 Collection (Konkan-Kanara-Kodagu-Kaveri) by Roots and Wings Doll Studio! For she is a truly tangible manifestation of Kannadiga heritage, culture and roots! Congratulations on acquiring this delightfully desi doll from Roots and Wings Doll Studio!