Presentation on "PAHUNCHI" an almost eloped traditional bracelet of Uttrakhand women.

1. Uttarakhand
Pahunchi (पोंछी)
By – Neha Kestwal
Subject - Language of Fashion
Roll no - MDS/14/33
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Uttrakhand

2. “मुई देण बा लो कानू की लाबी
मुई देण बा लो हाथूूंकी पोंछी
मुई देण बा लो नाक नथूलू
मुई देण बा लो लाूंबी बबसार
मुई देण बा लो शीशफूल सुहाग
मुई देण बा लो जेवरूंकी खाण “
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Uttrakhand

3. Historic Revelation
• Visible on ancient terracotta images from the Shunga Period in Bengal.
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Uttrakhand

4. Variations
Rajasthan, early 19th Century
Private Collection
North India;
late 19th Century
Pahunchi; Clusters of pearls hung
On thread or silk
Pahunchi - Traditional Ornament of
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Uttrakhand

5. Uttarakhand Pahunchi
Front View
Back View
• Anatomy
•Cultural Signification
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6. Uttrakhand Pahunchi
Anatomy
• Made in 20gms to 50gms gold (2-5 tola).
• Three to Five strands of hollow finely worked gold beads filled with lac (wax) are strung
together.
• Zari is used to tie the strands together.
•Beads are conch shell shaped.
• Red color Shaneel fabric is used in base onto which beads are tugged.
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Uttrakhand

7. Cultural Significance
• Pahunchi is Inspired from Rajasthan Bracelet. As Uttrakhand people are considered
migrated from there during Mughal period.
• This jewelry is a symbol of married women.
• In olden times women here always used to wear jewelry whether going to jungle for timber
or doing household chores. So to make jewelry comfortable to wear saneel fabric was used.
• Now, use of saneel has become inevitable part. And this differentiate Uttrakhand pahunchi
from other states.
• Red color (signifies: marital status) in Saneel fabric symbolizes : purity and veracity.
• Till date no modification is seen in the jewelry.
• Previously pahunchi was of silver (Respondent view : as people were not rich enough) now
golden Pahunchi is worn by women.
• As Pahunchi is tightly worn on ones hand, it is said it helps in maintaining Blood Pressure.
(Respondent view).
• Size of beads indicates how wealthy a person is. Bigger the beads more wealthy a person is.
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8. References
• Indian Jwellery; Journal of Indian art vol.xii No.s 95-107; By- Thomas Holbein Hendley
• Dance of the peacock; Jwellery tradition of India; By – Usha R Bala Krishnan & Meera
Shushil Kumar
• http://www.utsavfashion.com/wedding
• http://www.indusladies.com/forums/northern-and-central-indian-states/106549-
jewellery
• Respondent: Jagdeesh Verma (Bhawani Jewelers) – Almora
•http://www.merapahadforum.com/culture-of-uttarakhand/ornaments-worn-in-uttarakhand/
100/
• Respondent : Mrs. Ganeshi Devi (Mother- in-law’s - Sister’s - mother-in-law). Age - 73
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