MODERN WEDDING SUTRA
WITH SONAM CHOOSING TO WEAR MANGAL SUTRA AS A BRACELET, WE FIND OUT HOW THE TRADITIONAL SYMBOLS OF MARRIAGE ARE EVOLVING WITH TIME…
Sonam Kapoor is often seen making bold fashion choices, and after her wedding, her stylish streak is also reflected in how she is sporting the traditional symbol of marriage — the mangal
sutra. While many people are now choosing not to wear the traditional symbols of marriage, Sonam decided to give it a twist. She was spotted wearing her mangal sutra as a bracelet. The customised mangal sutra has her and her husband Anand Ahuja’s sun signs, Gemini and Leo on it. However, wearing it like a bracelet met with the disapproval of some and she was even trolled for it. But many young fashionable ladies are lauding this interesting new take on traditional bridal jewellery, and feel it could well spark a new trend.
“The modern woman is sorted and sure about her choices. It is her choice to accept tradition or not, or to personalise it, as she prefers. Globally, it is now a style statement to wear jewellery pieces differently from the way they are known traditionally, such as mismatched earrings or single anklets. Multi- wear pieces are in vogue where the same studs can change from danglers to pendants, as the designer or the wearer fancies. Toe rings, which a few decades ago were the traditional Indian symbols of marriage, have already been adopted by many young, unmarried women as style adornments. Fashion divas like Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Sonam Kapoor, while embracing the traditional symbols of marriage, give them a stylish twist. They are choosing to marry tradition with style and innovation. And just like their jewels, they are wearing and flaunting their choices their way, confidently,” says Eena Kapoor, jewellery designer.
On a similar note, jewellery designer Niki Oberoi feels, “Indian fashionista Sonam Kapoor Ahuja is known for her classy taste. Instead of eliminating the beautiful mangal
sutra she adorns it as a bracelet, which is commendable! I think it’s very stylish and traditional. She has set yet another standard for the Indian bride who hesitates to sport the traditional mangal sutra.
Whether you wear it around the neck or the wrist should not be questioned as it’s the emotion that counts. The fact that she chooses to adorn it speaks volumes about her persona. She may be a star but she has her roots well grounded. Kudos to the queen of fashion!”
Lending more support to Sonam’s fashion statement, fashion expert Bandana Sondhi says, “Times are changing and so is each generation. To expect young people to follow age- old traditions is unrealistic. Sonam Kapoor wearing her mangal
sutra on her wrist is not wrong in any way. To give her due credit, at least she thought of wearing it and did not discard it totally. It is a very creative way of following tradition.”
Many agree that marriage is a personal choice and how it is followed and interpreted by each individual should also be personal.
On the other hand, sociologist Ila Naidu says, “Even today in India , marriage is a very important institution and is an integral part of our social fabric. Traditional signs of marriage, like wearing sindoor and a mangal sutra or chooda, will never go out of style. In fact to even equate them with a personal style statement is completely wrong. An actress known for her sense of fashion is also a young woman who has dreamt of her big day, post which she wears her mangal sutra with pride like any other new bride. Times may have changed and city folk may dress more fashionably but deep down Indian traditions will always remain.”
Celebrity stylist Rishi Raj feels that the modern bride/ wife is finding new ways to express herself while keeping the traditionalist within alive.
“Let’s not forget, most traditions did start off as popular lifestyle choices at the time. So it’s all coming full circle, where the rules are being tweaked a bit, the envelope being pushed a wee bit further, which is a wonderful thing to see. Maybe Sonam is making a point, that the mangal
sutra does not represent a ball andchain around the woman’s neck, but instead is an added strength, wherein she walks hand inhand with her spouse,” he opines.
Let’s not forget, most traditions did start off as popular lifestyle choices at the time. So it’s all coming full circle. — RISHI RAJ, celebrity stylist