The Dazzling Tamil Iyer Brahmin Bride Doll

Ideal for: 

• Ideal Wedding gift for Iyer Bride
• Housewarming gift item for Iyer Couple
• Wedding Anniversary Gift for Iyer Wife or Parents
• Premium Home Décor (Especially Tamil Iyer themed room)
• Valentine’s Day gift for Tamil Iyer Girlfriend/ Wife/ fiancée
• Gifting option for people with roots in Tamil Nadu or Iyer Heritage
• Doll Collectors/ Plangonologists interested in Collectible Dolls
• Birthday gift for Iyer Girl/ Lady/ Woman

Description of the Ensemble of the Tamil Iyer Bride

The Iyers are followers of the ‘Smarta’ tradition of Hinduism that follows the Advaita philosophy and worships five key deities – Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Surya Ganesh and Karthik (Murugan/ Shanmugha). Tamil Iyer weddings are joyous two to three days affairs with age old traditions, rituals blended with a lot of singing, dancing, games and fun-filled processions that reflective of India’s vibrant culture. 

Let’s see how the Iyer bride’s ensemble makes her look like an avatar of the Goddess Shakti straight out of a Hindu mythology book.  

Attire: The Nine Yard Iyer Madisar Saree

The ‘Madisar’ is a nine-yard silk saree (usually Kanchipuram silk native to Tamil Nadu) worn by Tamil Brahmin women during religious ceremonies and especially during weddings. The Tamil Iyer bride wears the Madisar in the style unique to their community viz. the Iyer drape with the pallu (layer of saree covering the bosom and shoulder) worn over her right shoulder.

Head/Forehead Jewellery for Tamil Brahmin Iyer brides

Nettichutti

The Nettichutti adorned by the bride consists of an embellished gold chain that begins at the hair partition on the middle of the head and ends with a gem-encrusted pendant dangling at the centre of the bride’s forehead. It also has broad gemstone encrusted belt that serves as a border between the hairline and the forehead thereby framing the face. The Nettichutti adorned by Tamil Brahmin brides are usually the most exquisite and elaborate among all communities in Southern India. It is usually crafted based on Tamil temple jewelry patterns and is a major contributing factor to the bride’s regal look. 

Our Iyer bride is adorned with a very elaborate Nettichutti (based on temple jewelry pattern) on her head. 

Suryapirai and Chandrapirai 

The Suryapirai (representing the Sun) and Chandrapirai (representing the moon) are circle-shaped and crescent-shaped pieces of temple jewelry respectively. They are positioned on the right and left side of the bride’s hair parting respectively. Usually, only brides on the Brahmin caste wear these gem-encrusted hair pieces on their wedding day. 

Rakkadi

The Iyer bride has her hair neatly tied into a bun at the back of her head. A bejeweled hair brooch known as ‘Rakkadi’ holds her bun in place. 

Jada Billa (Braid ornaments)

The bride’s bun extends into a long braid (usually artificial hair extensions). The braid is decked with ornamental plates/ pieces of descending sizes known as the ‘Jada Billa’. The accessorized back bun and braid is known as ‘Jadanagam’ which literally means ‘hair serpent’. 

Jada Kunjam 

The end of the braid is tied with black ribbons ending in three ornamental black cloth balls. This accessory is known as the ‘Jada Kunjam’.  

Jewellery for Arms

Vanki

Worn on the upper arm, the Vanki is a V-shaped adjustable golden armband that range from minimalistic designs to opulent or elaborately designed ones studded with gemstones or gold beads. Our Iyer bride is wearing an intricately designed gold V-shaped Vanki with a butterfly motif that pays homage to the Tamil Yeoman- the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu.  

Bindi 

On the center of the Iyer bride’s forehead between her eyebrows is a red bindi. Traditionally, the area between the eyebrows is said to be the sixth chakra (focal points associated with meditation) known as ‘Agya’. It is associated with the subconscious mind. The bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. The bindi also represents the third eye.

Bangles

The bride wears multiple gold bangles (‘Valayal’). Chunky solid gold bangles with intricate designs known as ‘Kappu’ are also worn by her on her wrists.

Besari

The Besari is a signature Tamil nose ring with eight gemstones embedded on the ring’s circumference. 

Necklaces

Lakshmi Malai

Goddess Lakshmi is the Hindu Goddess of Wealth as well as the consort of Lord Vishnu. The choker worn by our Iyer bride doll temple jewellery necklace with Goddess Lakshmi’s iconography. The Lakshmi haram is a perennial favourite among Tamil Brahmin brides

Kasu Malai with Ganesh Pendant

With delicate gold coins aligning a gold chain, the ‘Kasu Malai’ is an eye-catching piece of temple jewellery worn by the bride. The second necklace worn by our Iyer bride doll is the Kasu Malai.

Gaja Mala with Antique Peacock Pendant

The largest haram (necklace) worn by the bride is the ‘Gaja Mala’ (which literally translates into ‘Elephant necklace’. This is a temple jewellery necklace with elephant head motifs. This necklace has an antique temple jewellery Peacock pendant. The peacock is a motif associated with Lord Shanmugha (Karthik/Murugan), the son of Lord Shiva. (The peacock is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shanmugha. 

Thaali/ Thirumangalyam

The sacred necklace symbolizing marriage is known as Thaali/ Thirumangalyam in Tamil. In Tamil marriages, the Thirumangalyam pendant is worn with the yellow thread during the ceremony and later replaced with gold chain for more sturdiness to handle the daily use.

Our Iyer bride is wearing a Thirumangalyam pendant with Lord Vishnu’s iconography flanked by ‘Bottu’ coins and gold ‘Gundu’ beads on yellow silk thread.

Ear Jewellery

Thodu (Dangler Earrings)

Our alluring bride is wearing dangler earrings of ‘Thodu’ design. Its design usually consists of dainty floral motifs and dangling beads that sway with every move.

Oddiyanam (Waist Ornament)

The waist belt or ‘Oddiyanam’ is an elaborate and ostentatious gold belt with intricate and detailed designs that accentuate the bride’s curves and holds her saree in place. This ornament plays a huge role in elevating the bride’s look to that of the Hindu Goddesses portrayed in calendar art. 

Jewellery for Feet

Kolusu (Silver Anklets)

Tamil brides do not wear gold below the waist as it is considered inauspicious and disrespectful to the Goddess.  Therefore, the anklets known as ‘Kolusu' that she wears is made of silver.  

Metti

The bride adorns the ‘Metti’ on her toes during wedding rituals. The Metti are silver toe rings slipped on to her toes by her husband-to-be during the marriage rituals. These rings serve a visual marker of a woman’s marital status for among all Hindus (for only married women wear them). 

Isn’t this bride doll the perfect ambassador to showcase of Tamil Nadu’s rich culture, heritage and roots? So, what are you waiting for? Order your Tamil Iyer Bride doll exclusively crafted by the artists at Roots and Wings Doll Studio today!