tradition versus modernity

misconceptions and advice regarding care for your bridal choora

HISTORY BEHIND THE

THE TRADITIONAL CHOORA

Have you ever seen your mother, aunt or grandmother's choora? You'll notice that our mothers' generations and beyond wore chooras that were very simple. See, the traditional choora was only ever comprised of red choora bangles and ivory white bangles with the green/blue circles on them. Only these two components made up the traditional choora. The bride was sometimes gifted real gold or silver karey to add to the fronts of her choora(also, kaleerey were traditionally tied and attached to real gold karey) by her family members. These were not really a "part" of the choora in the sense that they were supposed to be worn with the choora at all times. Rather, like other real gold jewelry, these bangles were gifted to the bride to be worn with or without her choora.  

WEDDING INDUSTRY TODAY

AND THE EXTRAVAGANZA REVOLUTION

In recent decades, the wedding industry has grown and with that has come the desire for more extravaganza in almost every aspect of a bride and grooms' attire. The choora has been a part of this extravaganza revolution. Brides now want more bling and decor added to their choora. The modern day choora is a reflection of each brides personality and taste - almost none of our brides want what is really a "traditional choora" (just the red and white bangles), but want to incorporate traditional elements into what is a bridal/glorified bangles set.  And we love it. But: we must urge you to remember that your modified and modern choora will not last you a lifetimeand it cannot be worn 24/7.

THE MODERN CHOORA + MISCONCEPTIONS

Today, our brides want us to add in all kinds of "extra" karey to the traditional base of choora bangles. These extra bangles and karey are all made of artificial jewelry. 

We're going to be honest and forthcoming: a lot of people forget that artificial jewelry is artificial. 

It is not meant to last forever. 

We use many different kinds of karey and types of bangles in chooras to make them unique, diverse and beautiful. These components are usually made from either polki, kundan or jarkan. Polki karey are made of a mixed metal base with stones glued into them. Jarkan is usually the 'lowest' in the range of 'qualities' available on the artificial jewelry market as the stones are similar to low-quality rhinestones. Meanwhile, kundan is the highest in the range of 'qualities' available as it is made of uncut stones and gold polish. However, all three kinds of artificial jewelry - even though they all have different price ranges and 'qualities' - are prone to damage and require constant upkeep.

ROYAL AND MODERN

Our Rani & Raja Choora combines heritage and modernity into one. While even the meenakari handpainted bangles are all made of plastic, don't be deceived into thinking you can dip this into liquids. The meenakari work can deteriorate over time when exposed to liquids. The addition of statement karey, pearls and kundan bangles adds a beautiful and royal touch, but are not immune to the deteriorating effects of liquids.

CLASSIC WITH A MODERN TWIST

Our Make Me Blush Bridal Choora is the perfect example of what a classic, traditional choora looks like with a modern twist. It is mostly comprised of traditional plastic coloured choora bangles with plastic bindi bangles. The pearls and statement karey we added at the ends make this a modern choora, though. These two elements cannot be submerged in milk or water.

TRADITIONAL CHOORA

Here's an example of a choora that uses mostly traditional elements only, but is still not completely a heritage choora. It is mostly made up of the traditional plastic red choora bangles and bindi bangles, but in this case, we've use bindi bangles that have not just the classic painted red/emerald bindis, but also some kundan stones and rhinestones. In addition, we also embellished the choora with artificial rhinestone and pearl bangles. While it looks traditional, it is not, and only the red bangles can be submerged in milk or water.

taking care of your choora

The first and most important rule in taking care of your choora is to not wear the decorative karey in your choora on a daily basis. Remember: the only part that is 'traditional' about your choora are your choora bangles only (these are the plastic coloured bangles and the white bangles that have green/blue dots on them). The polki karey, kundan karey or pearl bangles that you have added to your choora are not traditional and are not made to be worn on a daily basis. They are fragile and they will deteriorate fast if you're wearing them all day long, everyday for 6 months or more.

While we use the highest quality in polki and kundan karey, jarkan and pearl bangles are more susceptible to damage. Pearls and stones are glued on to an affordable metal base and with any contact with liquids and regular wear and tear, it is only natural that these stones and pearls will pop off.

The second most important rule is to not put any added karey to your choora in milk-dipping ceremonies or bringing them into contact with water and liquids. We get that your mother told you to never take your choora off. We get that you may think we're 'untraditional' for asking you to remove parts of your choora when you shower or wash dishes or put them aside during your choora ceremony. But please remember that your mothers' generation and understanding of what a traditional choora is different from the modern day choora. The modern day choora has many karey added to it that are not meant to last forever because of the way they're made. To be frank: the only added karey to your choora that will last forever are those made of real gold or silver. If you choose to add artificial jewelry to your choora, do not do so with the expectation that it will or can last as long as real gold or silver. It is simply impossible.