Lovlina Borgohain, boxer and Olympic medallist
In 1997, Amir, my husband, was working with JB Dadachanji and earning a modest salary.
Borla is a maangtika that one wears in Rajasthan with traditional Rajasthani poshak, and it is said that different communities have different styles of borla. Aad is a high-neck jadau choker and it is believed that it got its name from royal families, when it was said, ‘Raani aad mein baithi hai’. On my wedding day, she gifted me those and said that ‘now you can have them forever.
When I think of my two most favourite pieces from my jewellery box, they have to be the wedding jewellery gifted to me by my grandmother. Whenever there is a special occasion, I always wear those two pieces – a borla and a traditional Rajasthani necklace called aad. I wore both on my wedding day. I even wore these at my son’s wedding. ‘I treasure the diamond earrings which my mother gifted me’ Namrata Joshipura, fashion designer While growing up, I saw my mom wear these diamond studs which I really loved. Every time I would look at those, I would tell her, ‘humein school mein earrings pehenna allowed hai. She would just ignore that. For me, they will always be special and if I have to just wear minimal jewellery, I always choose those. The other such piece in my jewellery box is the Cartier limited-edition ring which I recently bought for myself. I think as a woman, there is always one such piece of jewellery which we want to buy for ourselves and it is our prized possession. ‘A necklace gifted by my husband is special to me’ Shivani Wazir Pasrich, education visionary and cultural leader I treasure a pair of ruby and pearl earrings, which carry a family story. They belonged to my bua, the sister of my grandfather, the late Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir, Janaki Nath Wazir. She gifted them to my mother at her wedding, and my mother passed them on to me when I got married. I also adore a necklace that came hidden in a book. He drove me in a red convertible to the ramp outside Rashtrapati Bhavan and presented me with an outdated tax law book. Romance, I thought, had taken a worrying turn. He had hollowed out a square in the pages to conceal a jewellery box containing this ruby and pearl necklace. It was certainly the most rewarding tax book I’ve ever opened. ‘One of my most cherished jewels is a beautiful tirugupoo, a traditional hair ornament’ Geeta Chandran, Bharatanatyam exponent
Today, as a senior advocate, he could buy me something far more expensive, but I cherish this necklace for the thought behind it.
She had worn it at her own wedding nearly 70 years ago. Kaushalya Reddy, Kuchipudi exponent ‘My mother gave me the Guttapusalu in 1979’ Kaushalya Reddy, Kuchipudi exponent My mother gave me the Guttapusalu in 1979, for my wedding. Because they are beautiful, i wish I had a photograph to share.
I was so insistent about buying it that I fought with my sister and told her I wanted it, and she bought it for me. The piece closest to my heart is a traditional Assamese jonbiri pendant that belonged to my mother. She wore it on her wedding day and kept it safely for years before giving it to me when I left home for training. I obviously can’t wear it in the ring, but I wear it with a mekhela chador at Bihu and on special occasions. Every time I do, it feels like she is right there with me. The second is a pair of gold earrings I bought for myself after winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. I also bought small pieces for Ma and my sisters, so all of us would have something from that moment. They remind me how far a girl from a small village in Golaghat has come, and of everyone who stood by me along the way. For me, jewellery has never been about gold or its value. It is about the people and the moments it carries. This Dhanteras, I’m hoping to be home and pick up something small for Ma. Rina Dhaka, fashion designer One of my most cherished jewels is a beautiful tirugupoo, a traditional hair ornament gifted to me by my mother-in-law. she chose her favourite colour, blue, for her bridal ensemble While most brides wore red. Her parents had bought her this exquisite piece, crafted with sapphires and diamonds. What makes it even more special is that it has been preserved in its original box, customised to perfectly fit its back screw. It is a beautiful reminder of her wedding and a piece of family history that I treasure. Another cherished piece is a neckpiece created for me by Bengaluru-based designer Ashwini Oza. I gave her several old pendants, and with her creative eye, she transformed them into a glamorous necklace. It brings together pieces that already held memories for me. What I love about this piece is that it has so many coloured gemstones, like rubies, topaz and emeralds, and is surrounded by rice pearls. It is timeless, and almost considered part and parcel of a bride’s jewellery collection, particularly in the Reddy community. I also have another treasured piece that I got nearly three decades ago. Another special heirloom is a pair of earrings that belonged to my great-great-grandmother. They reflect the Nizam influence on our community’s jewellery. The earrings have a mirror at the centre, surrounded by gold filigree work and rice pearls. I had them converted into a latkan. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
I have worn it only twice since then – for my younger brother’s wedding and again for my younger daughter, Bhavana’s wedding. It is unlike anything you find today. – Inputs by Riya Sharma and Shivika Manchanda You use AI every day.
Not every treasured piece of jewellery is valued for its price tag. Some are reminders of special occasions and personal milestones, while others carry memories of loved ones and stories that are passed down through generations. There are pieces that may not have been worn in years but continue to hold a special place in one’s heart, and others that are brought out only on occasions that call for something more than just dressing up. A peek into any woman’s jewellery box will reveal a number of stories that she fondly shares. On Dhanteras , we ask a few of Delhi’s well-known personalities to share some such stories from their jewellery boxes. ‘The piece closest to my heart is a traditional Assamese jonbiri pendant that belonged to my mother’ Lovlina Borgohain, boxer and Olympic medallist ‘A borla and a traditional aad frommy grandmother will always be special’ Rina Dhaka, fashion designer