Extraordinary Kudan work salwar suits

The kudan is a village in Sikar district in Rajasthan, India. It is a well-developed village connected by road and with all forms of modern communication facilities. It is mainly a Jat village with Jat gotras Sunda, Maharia and Kaila. Other major castes are Harijan and Brahmin with a few Soni and Daroga. The village came into prominence during British Raj.

Kudan keshri work is a traditional form of Indian gem stone. The gemstone jewellery involving a gem set with gold foil between the stones and its mount, usually for elaborate necklaces. The method is believed to have originated in the royal courts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is the oldest form of jewellery made and worn in India.

Meena kudan also known as Bikaneri or jaipuri jewellery, is a popular variation, wherein enameling with vivid colours and designs is on the reverse, while the kudan setting is in the front. The city of jaipur in Rajasthan has traditional been the centre for Kudan jewellery in India.

The history flourished under royal Mughal era. Over the years, the Kudan jewellery of the courts was successful copied in silver in Rajasthan, Bihar and the Punjab and became popular with the common man. It remains an integral part of the traditional bridal wedding trousseau. Traditional settings, including the thappa and ras rawa, are experiencing a revival. Most recently in the 2008 epic film, Jodhaa Akbar, the lead character portrayed by Aishwaya Rai was extensively shown wearing Kudan jewellery highlighting its influence among Rajasthani royalty.

The word kudan means highly refined gold, and pure form of molten gold is used. Kudan jewellery is created by setting carefully shaped, cut and polished multicoloured gemstones into an exquisitely designed pure gold or faux metal base. The elaborate process begins with the skeletal framework called Ghaat. Thereafter, the paadh procedure takes place, during which wax is poured onto the framework and moulded according to the design. Following this is the Khudai process, when the stones or uncut gems are fit into the framework.

The popularity of hand embroidered salwar kameez is not just restricted to India but have spread across the world. Some of the popular embroideries of India comprise zari work, kudan work, zardosi work and many more. Kudan work refers to work done using various shapes and sizes of semi-precious stones. Kudan is popular used to adorn sarees, Jewellery and handbags. Kudan work salwar kameez and sarees are popular as wedding wear sarees because of the elegance and grandeur associated with them.

The designs of the salwar kameez using thin golden wires and precious Kudan stones. Work includes cutting the stones finely by polishing them first and inserting golden thin wires through them to complete the design. For wedding occasions, Kudan work Sarees and salwar kameez are highly in demand among young women. Not only are they beautiful, but also depict good look to the fabric.

Two cities of Rajasthn, Bikaner and jaipur are renowned for designing these salwar kameez, sarees and leghengas. Most Indian designers have experimented a great deal with Kudan work sarees, especially for bridal wear sarees and salwar kameez and wedding wear sarees. Mostly Kudan work sarees and salwar kameez has beauty and charm of kudan work.

Prachi.L She is a freelancer long associated with ethnic fabrics, known for her special leaning towards ethnic sarees. She enjoys the privilege of being a part-time consultant to Unnati Silks. S.E-mail her at unnatikaro@gmail.com.