Dhanteras hot sellers
This Dhanteras, the city’s young brigade is veering away from traditional gold jewellery and steel utensils, and opting instead for the latest gadgets and chic silver ornaments
This Dhanteras, youngsters are increasingly looking beyond the gleam of gold and are shopping instead for lightweight jewellery, gadgets and electronics. The younger generation likes to be traditional and at the same time practical, in terms of wearability and investment, and the mood this season is aptly reflective of this new age mindset. Jewellery designer Sumit Sawhney, brand owner of Apala says, “Silver becomes the preferred choice because it is affordable and offers a wide range of finishes and coatings, leaving buyers spoilt for choices. This Dhanteras, we have created a series of jewellery pieces in silver for the youth that offers a perfect mix of investment and style. Antique tribal silver with a touch of Victorian elements or royal Mughal elements are a rage with youngsters. Since the festive season is round the corner, jewellery pieces with carved incarnations of gods and godesses, including chakra ( prayer wheel) earrings, Lakshmi pendants,
trishul kurta buttons and mantra calligraphy bracelets are doing well. The prices range from ` 8,000 to ` 15, 000.” While buying jewellery and kitchen items has been a Dhanteras tradition since ages, with changing times, many youngsters now also prefer shopping for gadgets, which are extremely popular purchases this season.
Silver has become a preferred choice for gifts because
it is both affordable and versatile
From LED TVs, smartphones and tablets to the latest laptops, young boys and girls are flocking to buy them this year. “I had been desperately waiting for the Apple iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus to launch in India and since they have just released the models, it’s the ideal Dhanteras gift for me. Most of my cousins and friends believe in buying gadgets as they are more useful than expensive jewellery pieces,” says city- based entrepreneur Sachin Dixit.
Lightweight and affordable jewellery is what attracts the attention of modern young girls. Keeping that in mind, the markets are flooded with headgear, rings, maang tikas and anklets that are not too expensive. Another jewellery designer
Moni Agarwal says, “My designs are aimed at attracting the attention of youngsters. Keeping that in mind, this season I have designed interesting headgear, ear cuffs ( a big hit this season), funky hair accessories, anklets and haath phools. Youngsters do not want to buy chunky gold jewellery, so I have ensured that my designs are trendy and lightweight. They are contemporary and yet can be teamed up with traditional clothes. Youngsters believe in ‘ less is more’, which is my design mantra too this season.”
With online shopping coming of age and online portals offering bumper sales and discounts, most youngsters are buying products online for Dhanteras too. “Flat discounts, exchange and buyback offers, premium gifts, lucky coupons and daily draws are wooing youngsters to buying everything from silver coins and home décor products to cameras and Diwali lights online,” says city- based IT professional Nikhil Diwedi. Priyanka Sarkar, another city youngster, keeps alive the age- old tradition of buying something on Dhanteras but likes to go for out- of- the box items. “From buying gold coins and gold biscuits
Flat discounts, buyback offers, gifts and daily draws are wooing youngsters to buy things online
NIKHIL DIWEDI IT PROFESSIONAL
to heavy gold jewellery, now people like to keep it hassle- free and prefer buying something which is more purposeful rather than something that is kept inside the lockers. My Dhanteras purchase is a piano- shaped silver jewellery box priced at 2,500.”
` The run- up to Diwali is always that time of the year when we express our love and friendship through beautiful, thoughtful gifts for our loved ones. “This Dhanteras, rather than going for jewellery pieces, I have ordered a smart induction cooktop by ED. I think it makes more practical sense. Also, I liked the innovative features it offered — while cooking and checking out exotic recipes, one could enjoy playing music via its bluetooth and MP3 music functions, which is what inspired me to buy the product and made it a favourable choice for this occasion in particular,” concludes Tanvi Jain, M- Phil student at JNU.