Bengali wedding AKA ‘Biye’ is a visual treat and chicken soup for soul. Bengali bride AKA “Kone”, dressed in her traditional red Banarasi saree and Bengali Bridal jewellery is quintessential royalty in her own rights; her doughy eyes with smudged kohl, her lips painted in bold red, her forehead like a canvas with vermilion and sandal bindi, all making her look like a goddess. 

But, is that look all effortless or planned for years?

Decoding Stri Dhan- Every piece of wearable art a Bengali bride inherits and gathers over time

Indians adore their daughters and praying for their marital bliss, giving her the means to create a secure household is always a parents prerogative. Stri-Dhan or wealth exclusive to a woman is one such way parents and her loved ones make sure she has enough in a new household to live respectfully. 

No, it is not dowry, these material assets given to a woman by her parents at the time of her marriage is strictly for her use. It may include money, jewellery, land, and utensils.

Over the years, Stri-Dhan has become more focused on gold jewellery considering it’s a highly liquid asset value and it is also a tradition that can be passed on from generations to another. 

Here is a list of traditional Bengali Bridal Jewellery that every mother and grandmother pass on to their dear daughters when these new brides are packing their trove of Stri-Dhan. 

Sancha Bandhano- Conch Shell Bangles Engraved with Gold Plates and Meena artwork 

It is almost impossible to imagine a Bengali bride without her white and red bangles or as we call them Sankha and Pola. 

Sankha or conch bengals are integral part of a Bengali Bride’s wedding and married life attire. She is advised to not take them off by traditionalists but over the time norms have taken a back seat, one is asked to wear them at least for a year after getting married. This piece of jewellery is often not handed over from one generation to another but made freshly for the new bride for her to keep. This has some sentimental logic behind (let’s not get into that).

We bet you will be left speechless after you see the kind of intricate gold plating work artisans can do over these conch bangles. 

Pola Bandhano- Coral Bangles Engraved with Gold Plates and Meena artwork 

Coral Bangles or the red bangle you all have seen married Bengali women wearing is, again, an integral part of Bengali Bride’s Shtri-Dhan trove. These sleek bangles are something that adds the touch of Lover’s Red in a bride’s everyday monochrome. 

Meenakari, the cluster of rezi balls at fixed intervals and the elegant floral motifs, elephant mouth hinge designs are some of the traditional designs in Pola Bandhano that never goes out of fashion. 

Noa or Loha Bandhano – Iron Bangle Engraved with Gold 

Why Iron? well, dating back to the time when 5 elements were discovered metals found their significance in our day to day lives, and iron purest of all helps clearing the magnetic field or aura of a human being. 

No you must be thinking why a Bengali married women need to wear it? to keep herself away from all negativity as she is the glue that bind the family and her mental and spiritual wellbeing is of utmost importance (Makes sense?) 

Now coming the elegance of this piece of jewellery, ohh magnificent it is when best artisans plate gold over the iron bangle it’s sheer love. 

This is also a must have Bengali bridal Jewellery for every married women. 

Konkon 

This is something every mother, grandmother saves for their little princesses. kankan kharu, with its  intricate floral motifs with patterned petals or other exquisite craftsmanship is sure heads turner. Its timeless elegance makes it a desirable piece of accessory for every Bengali Bride. 

Sita Haar

This necklace is an heirloom, generations of women have passed it on and now when you are getting married it is time for you to add it ti your trove. 

This piece of  imperial charm, with layers of gold and other precious stones is made to impress. The intricate gold work and the beads dangling at the bottom make it the right piece of accessory for every bride. 

Jaroa Haar

As the name suggest, jaroa or engraved. This piece of necklace is a legacy of royal India and kept safe in our grandmother’s trove for us. This typical setting of precious stones like rubies, emeralds, freshwater pearls on gold structure is a product of Bengal’s best artists, 

Bala (Bangles)

The Bengali ‘bodhu’ look is never complete without some thick golden bangles worn in both the hands! The traditional gold Bracelets, Noa, Shakha, Pola, Ratanchur – are all beautiful pieces of jewelries covering the bride’s hands, gracefully.

Kaan

Have ever seen goddesses closely? how their earrings are never just dangling from their earlobe but covering their entire ear? like an armour? Yeah, that’s kaan or kaan jhumko. You mother is most likely to add this piece of forever elegance in your Stri-Dhan. 

Apart from these armlets, hand trinkets, anklets, and gold hair comb, tiara, naath, komorbandh, chabi challa, sidur daani are also part of Stri-Dhan. Once you get all, see if your trove matches this checklist. 

Author: Piya