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While the history of payals dates back to our ancestors, its cultural impact is still relevant today. Here’s a little breakdown.
In ancient India, payals or anklets, were simple adornments crafted from beads, seashells, and even clay, gracing the ankles of women from all walks of life. But this humble accessory soon transformed into a powerful symbol of status, employing materials like gold, silver, and copper to reflect a woman's wealth and social standing. They were not merely seen as ornaments but carried cultural and social connotations, transcending their decorative purpose and becoming intricately woven into the fabric of India.
It is fascinating to know how a thin strap of cold metal, simply worn around the warmth of your ankle, could dictate social hierarchy, wealth, and position, often claiming ranks and divisions. The shift from basic materials to precious metals marked a turning point, highlighting the growing importance of the payal and paving the way for its ever-evolving designs in Indian fashion.
But it doesn’t end there. Anklets in India aren’t just significant for their aesthetic and social importance; they also hold weight in religious and spiritual beliefs. In some traditions, it’s the first piece of jewellery a girl receives, symbolising pride and bravery. On the other hand, in Hinduism, gold is associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity; hence, wearing gold on the feet can be seen as disrespectful to some. There’s another belief that claims that initially, payals weren't just an accessory. The jingling sound it produced served as a way for men to be aware of a woman’s presence in the house, fostering love and respect.
In India, with every passing border, a new culture thrives with traditions that have withstood generations. The term ‘Payals’ is perhaps the most common expression for anklets across North India, including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. But depending on the region, they are known by different names. For example, in Punjab, Jhanjhar is the term used for anklets with small bells; move to central India and Rajasthan, where they are called Tora (anklets known for their bold and chunky designs); in eastern India, Nupur or Payal are known for their intricate design and elegance; in Tamil Nadu, Kolusu or anklets are typically made of gold and silver; in Odisha, it’s called Paunji; and Painjan in Maharashtra.
There’s no mention of culture and fashion without a few good references from Bollywood. Bollywood actor and Former Miss World, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is seen adorning heavy gold anklets in the period romantic drama Devdas, where they signify her status as a married woman; the sporadic appearances of payals in dance sequels of the classic movie Mughal-e-Azam; they can also be seen in the recently launched Netflix series Heeramandi, as well as in Sridevi’s iconic performances in multiple movies. Payals have played a significant role in defining fashion in Indian cinema; a recurring motif in Bollywood romances, they add a touch of tradition, sensuality, and sometimes even a plot point to the stories.
Apart from payals creating a wave in the fashion and Bollywood industry, there are various benefits of wearing silver anklets that are health-associated. Silver is known to be naturally antimicrobial, hence it adds in maintaining the foot-hygiene. When you wear silver anklets regularly, it helps in maintaining a positive charge in the body because the surface of the metal releases positive ions, which further activates the nerve endings in the feet and subtly pushes the acupressure points, hence relieving you of the foot pain.
So, if you consider investing in these culturally significant adornments, don’t just restrict it to weddings, theatre, or dance performances; instead pick pieces that will clock through from everyday wear to small festivities to even grand weddings. And to help you narrow down your search, we’ve curated a selection of fine silver anklets. Whether you take the bold or minimal route, these will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe. Embellished with floral motifs, elephants, palanquins, and peacocks, these shiny baubles that are handcrafted by our local artisans will serve as a heirloom piece that can be passed onto the further generations.
Discover our collection of handcrafted, pure silver anklets here.
-Team WeaverStory
