Kamat's Potpourri

Amma's Column: Nose Ornaments of India

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:00:00 CST

Many readers of Kamat's Potpourri ask about thee significance of nose-piercing and wearing studs or ring in the nose by Indian women.

Well, one thing is common to Indian women. They are extremely fond of ornaments! Apart from hands, shoulders, fingers, waist, ankles and feet, (fingers) they are capable of displaying innumerable ornament. Hair, ears and nose are no exception. On the ear-lobes at 4-5 places upper lip and inner thinner ear part are also pierced to sport dainty jewels. Hence the ear itself has three-four ornaments at times linked by a light chain.

Nose-ornament is not native to India. There is no mention of nose ornament in Vedic literature or other sacred texts. Ancient sculptures do not depict it. Neither is it mentioned in Amarkosh, the ancient lexicography, nor in Bharata's Natyashastra, which lists several other ornaments. Most probably it is of African origin, and has traveled to India, along with the Muslim conquest.

Ibn Batuta the great globe-trotter from Tangiers, was in India between 1336-1346 AD. As a guest of ruler of Honavar, he had noticed nose rings worn by Muslim girls who were very beautiful. The region was in habitated by Moors or Arabs who were traders much earlier to the advent of Islam. They were known as Navayats. Indians are known to adopt quickly any foreign custom, advantageous to them. In no time, nose-ornament became immensely popular and received shape and identity of caste and community. Diamonds and precious stones set in gold were worn on the right, left or middle of the nostrils. Natth (or nattu in Kannada) is a big nose ornament. Muguti is a jewel-studded smaller ornament. It is mentioned in several Kannada classics from thirteenth century onwards.

Nose-ornament: its significance to orthodox Hindus

Natth became essential part of trousseau of married women. If the nose-ornament fell or was lost, it was considered a bad omen. In certain communities, women gave up nose-rings along with other embellishments immediately after their husband's demise.

City-bred girls of my generation, were saved the pain of nose-piercing. But the practice was and still is, prevalent in the rural subcontinent because auspiciousness is associated with it.

Of late hip western women are seen wearing nose ornament. These days fashionable girls can wear artificial rings without having the pain of nose-piercing using light press buttons. Nose ornaments are a galore in extremely ornament-passioned country that is India.

AnthoBLOGy: iPad Humor

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 00:00:00 CST

As they said on NPR, Apple forgot to involve a woman in decision making before they came up with the name iPad. Oh brother.

Sometimes, the cultural differences yield embarrassing meanings, but it was not the case with iPad.

Think Before You Name a Brand

There is a beauty store near my house called "Ulta Beauty" and I never stop to smile as I drive pass it.

See, in most of India, "Ulta Beauty Store" would mean "Ugly Store."

I also remember a visit to a town in Karnataka where the entire town was painted by the brand "Hutch". Except that it didn't occur to them that it meant "A Crazy Man" in the local language, and everybody would make fun of the campaign. Hutch spent a lot of money, only to become the butt of jokes and ridicule.

Aperture Photo Blog: Krishna as Thief of Women's Clothes

Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 CST

Gopika Vastraharan in Indian Art

The Bhagavata Purana has an episode of how mischievous Krishna hides away all the clothes of girls bathing in the river. The episode provides a lot of fodder for poets, artists and devotees and is an integral part of the Hindu experience.

Here is a collection of pictures culled from our collection that depict the episode of the girls begging Krishna to return their clothes.

(c) K.L.Kamat

Gopika Vastrapaharana (The Stealing of Clothes)
Painting shows Krishna climbing a tree with the clothes of bathing girls

(c) K.L.Kamat

Krishna Climbs a Tree after Stealing Women's Clothes
Gopika Vastraharan as depicted in a Gokarn temple sculpture

Paintings of Shubaharay Maharaj

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

Gonda Women

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

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Pictures of Bastar
Chindawada, Central India

On the way to Bastar Fair

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

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Pictures of Bastar
Jagdalpur, Bastar

Necklace of Coins

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

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Pictures of Bastar
Bastar, October 1976

Bullock Carts at Chindwada

Sun, 7 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

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Pictures of Bastar
Bastar, October 1976

What is Fumigation?

Sat, 6 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

Scottish Church College, Kolkota

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

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Stamps of India
Calcutta -- Detail from a 1980 Postage Stamp

A Wall Painting from Rural India

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

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Painting of Lord Vishnu
Amateur wall art, India

Jayaprakash Narayan

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

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Stamps of Famous Indians

Animal Depicted in a Prehistoric Painting

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CST

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Designs from India
See Also: Prehistoric Theater