Re: Desi obsession with Zevar
No one is really talking about history of and richness of the land in this thread, but oh well, I'll start.
'Desis' are not the only people 'obsessed' with jewellery (Gold jewelry is a different subject), jewellery has been an important and distinct part of Roman, Greeks, Byzantine, Arab, African, Persian, Ottoman Cultures. If there's one thing that Anglo-Saxon Western cultures truly missed is the glamour, if if they had some of it, it was not refined and creative enough to compete with the sheer quality and level of glamour displayed in other exotic cultures.
Why jewelry has always been part of our culture and heritage is probably because of Hinduism. Literally all the statues of Hindu Goddess, deities and naked dancers - recovered in Indus Valley - belonging to BC Era shows the importance and great use of zevar. All statuted and wall craved women are covered with Jewellery instead of clothes, be it on form of heavy layered necklaces, armlets, hair and head pieces, bangles and rings. It is for that reason, in our culture, wearing jewellery is considered very feminine (of course men also wore jewelery, but it was ultimately woman's pride) and why our ancestors thought that women should wear jewellery is perhaps also linked with Hinduism. In Hinduism, there is a belief that wearing jewellery and bright colours lift your spirits and pleases God - I'm not sure if that's the connection behind most Hindu women from Bengali background dressing semi bridal for Durga Pooja?
However above all, the fact Jewelery is such an important part of Asia's culture and heritage is simply due to the fact that Sub-Continent as well neighbouring countries are blessed with vast variety of deposits of precious and semi precious stones (does that almost explain why Imperial Powers are always so keen to have an adventure in poor little Afghanistan - sorry I digress, that's another topic in itself). As a result, we ended up producing a sea full of exceptionally skilled craftsmen and jewellery making became a popular profession and a growing field.
Not all jewellery mentioned in the OP has to be made of gold, I understand and appreciate people's concern regarding outward display of materialism and societal pressure that goes with gold, however, one must appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship that goes behind all metal jewellery in the Sub-Continent. It's beautiful. I don't really wear Jewellery on daily basis, but I sure love collecting it, especially the exotic and regal looking.
I have a very urban, minimalistic, clean and classic sense of dressing when it comes to Western wear, however, if I have to spend a fortune to get one those Mughal era inspired Jumhkha's to complete a Pakistan outfit, I probably will! I absolutely adore vintage, classic and chunky jewellery and to answer Muqawee's question, my passion for vintage and classic jewelery developed after visiting British museums.
