RIFLE RANGE BOY: string

Roman Coins with Thali

I remember observing my Amma's thali chain during my childhood days. I came to realise that one could determine many things about the wearer's background by just observing the chain that a married lady dons. It would tell us if she has recently tied the knot if it is just a bright yellow string. The actual thali would be tucked inside the upper garment. After a few days of wedded bliss, as part of the festivities and a means to flaunt to relatives, the thali would be transferred to a golden chain, and the sovereignty would scream bragging rights.

The yellow string will stay put longer than it should if finances are down. If a married lady, often seen donning a golden thali chain, is suddenly downgraded to wearing yellow string, that would indicate hard times hitting the family. The family members have every right to feel embarrassed, and the outsiders have the right to form opinions. The head of the family will feel slighted for not providing enough for his dependents.

It was amusing to me to observe my Amma donning thick chains to flaunt her jewellery to her friends and relatives but desperately trying to cover her neck with the thick drape of her saree to keep snatch thieves at bay as she walked to the bus stop.

I later discovered that the pattern of the thali indicated the region from which one came from India. A Telugu person would have a different pattern than a Malayelee or one from Tamil Nadu. Even non-Hindus in the Indian diaspora have their version of Christian or Islamic thalis.

Thali, or mangalsutra, is more generic in the northern states of India. Even though it is a form of the Hindu tradition, the emphasis is on other rituals.

I was particularly curious to see Roman coins being part of the ornaments of Amma's thali chain. How did Roman iconography come to be part of Indian jewellery? When we learnt history in school, it was fragmented, compartmentalised, and never mixed. Of course, there were huge trades between Tamil Nadu and the Roman Empire. And possessing foreign goods must have been an item to flaunt around. Hence, there is a desire to thread it into the thali chain and inadvertently let it slip out occasionally to let others see and get jealous.

* Thali (Tamil; தாலி) refers to a traditional necklace or pendant worn by married symbolising their marital status. It is typically made of gold and is an integral part of Tamil wedding customs. The groom ties the thali around the bride's neck during the wedding ceremony, signifying their union.