Bangle-making transcends religious barriers

The colourfully mirrored bangles that Hindu women wear after marriage also tell the story of communal amity in India's desert state of Rajasthan. From time immemorial, the bangles, inlaid with intricate mirror designs in lac (red resin from trees), have been made by Muslims.

The art has been nurtured by Muslim bangle makers, and more than 2000 Muslim families in Ajmer even now give shapes and shines to these bangles.

The bangle makers believe that it is their identity and it should never be stopped, come what may.

"I feel that we should continue this work and this work should never end for the Hindu public. We should never put an end to it, because if it ends this will be finished completely. The bangles should be made and they will be made. It has been a tradition which has continued for long and should continue in the future," said Fiyyaj Hussian, manufacturer of 'lac' bangles.

Khwaja Ki Nagri, a local town in Ajmer is the one-stop shop for these bangles, where people from all over the country visit for the variety of designs.

Women prefer these bangles to the glass ones for their beautiful designs and vibrant colours.

"It's their job. This has nothing to do with Hindus or Muslims. These bangles are made of lac and we only wear lac bangles. It has a special importance for a married woman. This is what we Rajasthani women wear as an indication of their marital status," said Kamla Joshi, a buyer.

Lac is a resinous substance deposited by the lac insect on various trees in southern Asia.

Manufacturer and retailers claim that high sale of the lac bangles in Rajasthan is due to its non-allergic effect as bangles made of plastic or glass might sometime create infections on wrists.

The price for the bangles varies from 10 rupees ($ 0.21) to 2000 rupees ($43.35).

Bureau Report