The Rhythm of Tradition: Symbolism of Traditional Payal

Cultural significance of payal for women

Payal is considered an item, which attracts fortune and wealth to your home while removing the ill fate & poverty. Generally, girls start wearing payal after their marriage, which makes them the symbol of married life too. Payal is very closely connected to feminism and grace. Newlywed girls are given payal by their relatives, when they move to their husband’s house.

Heavier payal with intricate & elaborate designs & patterns worn by the women generally indicates their high social & prestigious status. Payals also become the symbol of the continuity & consistency, when they are passed over the generations in a family. Traditional payal items also show their varying local craftsmanship & cultural influences.

Beliefs related to Rajasthani payal in Indian Society

There are many beliefs and superstitions related to payal in Indian society like :-

• It is the most widely popular belief that wearing payal and anklet attracts the Goddess Laxmi to your home and removes your bad luck.

• Payal is also closely associated with marital harmony & fertility. It also signifies your social stature & prosperity level.

• Generally Indian women avoid wearing the payal made of Gold. Being associated with Goddess Laxmi, it is considered inauspicious to wear Gold in feet.

• To inherit payal from old to new generation is an indicator of getting the blessings of ancestors and making stronger family connections too.

• Wearing payal also protects you from the jealousy of others.

• The jingling sound of a payal brings celebration, joy & prosperity to your home.

Why is Silver considered the best material for making payal?

Let’s focus on the points which show that why Silver is considered the best material for making silver payal

• Silver is considered as a pure & pious metal, which is also associated with culture & social customs

• Silver is a durable & non-costly metal, which makes it very ideal for making payal, anklets & other jewellery items. Silver payal and other jewellery made of it have their own aesthetic appeal.

• Silver is a metal with antibacterial properties which prevents skin irritation & infection.

• Silver is less costly metal than Gold & Platinum, so it is far more accessible & affordable to the large audience.

• To make new designs with intricate patterns on silver is easier. Silver is the most versatile metal we have ever had.

• Silver can be easily cleaned and washed to maintain its original shine for a long period of time.

• It is a good metal which does not cause any allergic or harmful reactions on human skin.

New & emerging trends of silver payal in Indian Society

The silver payal has always been popular in Indian society, but they are also not far from the evolving & changing trends in contemporary time. There are many new trends which you can find in today’s market.

• There is a clear growing trend of minimalist designs evolving in making of silver payal. These payal items are often modern & contemporary in their craftsmanship.

• Oxidised silver is also being used for making silver payal. It creates a mild dark appearance on silver metal to make antique payal items.

• Today payal items associated with gemstones are also in there in contemporary fashion. The most notable gemstones include turquoise, amethyst, and garnet.

• Silver payal is also there in fashion due to their eco-friendly nature and sustainability.

• 3D printing technologies are also capturing the new market share to create new modern kinds of designs & lines on silver payal & other jewellery items.

• Another notable technique is also there in the market as laser cutting techniques, which are also used in fine tuning silver payal and anklets.

Payal as a Symbol of Tradition & Status in Different Cultures

In Nepal - Here in Nepal, a traditional payal is considered as a symbol of women's regional identification & social stature. Women belonging to high social & rich families wear Gold & Silver payal. Payal with gemstones are also in fashion specially - ruby, diamonds & emerald. Brides are often transferred payal by their husband or in-laws after marriage.

In Southeast Asia - In Indonesia, women also wear anklets on traditional festivals and dances like - Kecak, & Barong. The sound of these payal while dancing creates a captivating effect in their performance. In Malaysia, women wear payal on special occasions & festivals only. It is not in fashion these days here in Malaysian culture.

In Thailand - Women of all ages like to wear payal as their day-to-day accessory as well on the special family occasions & festivals too. Payal is also attached with some goddesses and deities too in some Thai religious traditions.

In India - Payal is a very famous jewellery item since the end of prehistoric time and Indus valley civilization. In a very old Tamil poem of  “Silappatikaram”, anklets play a very important role in the whole story. It is commonly known as pattilu, nupur, and payal as well. Here, women generally prefer to wear anklets and payal after their marriage.

                               Here in India, payal is a very strong indicator of a married woman and her starting of a new life. In different parts of India, different kinds & designs of payal are in existence. In Rajasthan, heavy anklets are always in fashion especially in rural areas. In Eastern India, anklets are worn on both the ankles. “Nupur” payal is more famous in the Bengal region.

Conclusion 

Payal is a very strong indicator of femininity, grace, married life, family & social status and it is not only for Indian society but also for various world cultures as well. In different parts of the world, people, especially women wear different patterns and designs of anklets.

Many new & emerging trends of making payal are growing in the contemporary time. Like - oxidised silver anklets, sterling silver payal, lab grown & minimalist design payal etc. There will be new technologies and trends coming in the future, but the cultural value of this item will be the same.