The word "bangle" is derived from the Hindi word "bungri," which means "glass," and refers to the traditional jewellery worn by women in South Asian nations such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal in addition to India. In most Indian weddings, being barehanded is frowned upon, especially for married women. Bangles have a traditional value in this regard. In North India, the bride typically dons glass bangles, which stand in for the bride's Suhaag (love) for her future spouse and their future happiness.
Punjab, for example, is in several regions of India. Men also wear bracelets as part of the tradition, and the groom is given a gold ring known as a Kara by the groom's father (steel or iron bangle). The Chooda set of white and crimson bangles with stonework is what the Punjabi woman wears on her wedding day. A woman is not supposed to purchase the bangles she wears, according to Sikh tradition. Bangles are a part of the traditional jewellery worn in India, and as such, they are still favoured for special occasions like weddings and festivals. Young girls still frequently wear them, and toddlers occasionally still do. They are frequently made of gold or silver. Married ladies in Bengal and Odisha wear white shell-made bangles. Women in Bengal hold a very special place for Bengali bangles, which are created by fusing tiny gold strips with handmade crafts on bronze bracelets.
History
The most common materials used to make bangles are glass, wood, plastic, and metal (copper, silver, gold, iron, etc.). To demonstrate how ancient the tradition is, archaeologists have uncovered bangles made of various metals from diverse regions of India, including very ornate bracelets from the Mauryan Empire and gold bracelets from the ancient city of Taxila.
One of the most well-known artefacts discovered at Mohenjo-Daro is a bronze statue of a dancing female holding a collection of bangles in her other arm while holding one arm at her hip. This sculpture demonstrates the long history and importance of wrist jewellery in Indian culture. Another clear indication that not only ladies wear "Kanganas" (slightly thicker elaborate bracelets), which are a prevalent cliché in many mythic and epic stories.
Up until the medieval era, all bangles from the pre-Vedic and post-Vedic eras were exclusively ornamental. Bangles were first introduced during this period, linking ritualistic beliefs and being seen as a symbol of marriage.
Bangles were made from any material, including terracotta, gold, silver, and iron, that was conducive to workmanship and could be worked on by a smith. The history of the Sindhu Saraswathi civilization is distinguished by the heritage of wearing bangles.
The stories around bangles may not be as old as the Vedas, but they may be close considering how common the bangle is in ancient jewellery dating back thousands of years. As cultures have changed and evolved, bangles have taken on diverse roles in many nations.
For instance, in Gujarat and Rajasthan, ivory bangles or "Hooda" are quite popular, and the bride's maternal uncle gives them to her at a "ceremony" called a "mameru" along with a bridal silk saree. Bangles made of gold are also very auspicious, especially for brides. The bridal choodas of Maharashtra consists of carved kadas (another thick form of bangle), green glass bangles, and golden patlyas in odd numbers. The maternal uncle of the bride also gives the bride 21 ivory bangles in white and red bangles (chooda), and a ceremony to wear the bangles is held the morning of the wedding day. Punjabi brides
wear these bangles for at least 40 days.
The importance of colour
The colours of bangles have special meanings in Indian tradition as well. Bangles provide a purpose for Indian women beyond just accessories. After marriage, it is customary to wear bangles as a sign of good health, fortune, and wealth. For Indian ladies, bangles are more than just accessories. They typically form a significant component of their identity. Green represents luck and fertility, while red stands for vitality and wealth. White bangles are symbolic of fresh starts, whereas orange bangles stand for achievement. Strength is symbolised by silver bangles, while prosperity and good fortune are represented by gold bangles.
The 'Suhag Nagari' in Firozabad
Glass bracelets are viewed as a sign of being a married woman or, in Hindi, a "Suhagan." The moniker "Suhag Nagari," which translates to "the city of married women" and refers to Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, refers to the practise of married women wearing bangles as a sign of success. As a result, the city is well recognised for its bangle-related industries.
The Laad Bazaar or Choodi Bazaar in Hyderabad is a historically significant market for bangles and is famed for a variety of pearl bangles, much as how Firozabad is known for glass bangles. It is situated on one of Charminar's four main thoroughfares. India's Moradabad city is where most bangles are made.
The small community of Nakkavanipalem, which is close to Narsipatnam, once had a large population of talented bangle makers.
In addition to India, the Pakistani city of Hyderabad is well known for producing glass bangles. The production of bangles, whether they are made of glass, rubber, metal, or another substance, is a laborious operation that needs extreme precision. Concerns about the safety of the people who create these bracelets are also frequently raised because most of the people who labour in this field are women or children and have to endure high temperatures, dim lighting, and prolonged crouching positions.
The poetic symbolizations of Indian literature glorify bangles and brand them as the pinnacle of feminine elegance.
Indian women adore their bangles, aside from their sociocultural significance. Women adore using the many different types of bangles that are available to highlight their feminine elegance and beauty. The fake bangle industry investigates novelty and produces bangles that dazzle in a wide range of colours. While the newest fashion trends are on the way, Indian bangles still hold a strong position. The narrative goes on forever. It continues like the countless different types of bangles you see in festival grounds, bangle markets, and other upscale shops that entice every Indian woman.
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