A catchy song from 1971’s Tamil classic 'Arunodhayam' inspires this fine antique-finished pearl (Muththu) and coral (Pavalam) necklace in which the collets are all made individually and then ...

A catchy song from 1971’s Tamil classic 'Arunodhayam' inspires this fine antique-finished pearl (Muththu) and coral (Pavalam) necklace in which the collets are all made individually and then strung on a v-chain that remains invisible behind the pearl ‘nibs’ and pola ‘circlets’. The necklace becomes nicely flexible because of this, allowing it to be worn wider as, say, a coiffure ornament, or straighter as a choker.

There’s no mukto'r jhur on the necklace, and that’s what makes the single-line form stand out. The pearl nibs each have a solid ball crown and alternate collets have the twisted-wire coral circlets attached below. This arrangement prevents the pola collets from overlapping when the ornament is opened out and also creates imperfect voids that add character to the jewel.

The earrings, on the other hand, are elaborate, with gem-set medallions and scrolls and a pearl fringe all contributing to their timeworn charm, as if they were a hundred years old and had been passed down generations. This perfectly replies to the elegant and reserved ask of the necklace, the patina on which gives it peerage over many jewels of the like. The blackish antique polish, if desired, can be done away with, and then you’d have a bright ingénue for a necklace, or if changed to mud-polish, would make it a dusky debutante. Choose your style: any which way it’ll succeed ---- the jewel is such.

In the meantime, while you mull that over, check : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_ZIJ6KuYC8&feature=youtu.be or just refer our previous post to see a buxom Sarojadevi and powdered-and-dapper Sivaji Ganesan frolicking in a picturesque garden to the sensational “Muththu pavalam mukkani sakkarai moodi vaikalamaa . . .” . They’re a dashing couple, and the song’s marvellously amative, its openly sensual allusions lost on no-one as we’re advised 'true gems should never be covered,' and that, 'the lowest part of sugar-cane is the sweetest!' Go figure.

Here, lovingly crafted in 18K yellow gold by expert hands and customized in polish and finish, the Muththu-Pavalam is a one-of-a kind joroa set for those ---- such as the two Tamil superstars on screen ---- to whom love remains a lifelong exploration.