Journalism of Courage
Get to FC road,Fashion street or any other market peddling cheap jewelery,and you will have no doubt as to who is the hero of this ornamental flick. Hanging out languidly at all the shop ewes,or all coiled in comfortably with some bangles,beads rule this roost. Its difficult to miss them,and impossible to not pick them. Ankeeta Jain,a school teacher,is such a big fan that she can be a poster-girl for all things beady. To put it simply,I love beads! I have an expansive collection,and scoop up more every time I travel,especially to Goa. They complement any outfit that is worn. I even buy long beaded chains and twirl them around my neck multiple times or even wear them as a sash.
From the exotic to the more common plainer looks,beads have existed decoratively since the start of human civilisation. Propping up on component materials,manufacturing process,place or period of origin,surface patterning and the shape,beads can have as many categories as there are accessories in it’s honour. Shruti Singh,working for a travel agency,is a self-confessed bead fanatic. I am crazy about junk jewelery,and spend quite a lot on them every month. The rows and rows of beady neck-pieces are so irresistible! I have a big collection. Its easier to find variety and colour in beads,and the shapes and the material of make can also vary widely. Long,short,neck-hugging,they are awesome in any form. The spread that dominates our city’s market yards are generally made of cheaper plastic and metal. When matched or mis-matched with daily casuals,they can add quite a quirky charm to the outfit. Akanksha Kamat falls for rounded ear-rings where ever they wobble. I love droplet sort of ear-rings as they help my lean face look fuller. I have sets of rings that are feather-light,and some that give me aches in the lobes. But alls fair in the fashionable war, laughs Kamat.
A niche segment that has finally started seeping into junk fare are Rudraksh beads. For quiet long,these rough textured beads were solely for soul searching. Many grandmothers wrap these pious strings around their wrists or pass them between their frail fingers repeating chants and prayers. I have never been religious,but one would find a lot of spiritual overtones in my general choice of clothes and jewelery. I don’t prefer buying plastic,so I stick to semi-precious stones. I satiate my mood for beads by wrapping around stringed Rudraksh around my handbag straps. I also have Rudraksh ear-rings,though I must admit my friends call me jogan whenever I wear them, chuckles media professional Sapna Shah.
Shift to the seller’s end of the conversation and befuddled shaking of heads ensue. I really do not get it. If you look at my shop there are tons of designs for chains. But beads are the evergreen favourites. My customers will haggle and fight their way to buy any of these pieces, says Ishfaq,who owns a colourful novelty shop on FC road. Bead on fashionista!
