Fashion For You

About Lac/Lakh Bangles:
Bangles made from lac/Lakh are said to be one of the oldest ones and among non brittle category. istorians state that the craft of bangle (Lac/Lakh) making originated in Rajasthan during the 17th Century and Mumtaz Mahal, the Mughal empress, was a great patron of beaded bangles and set the fashion trend among the nobility at that time, lac bangles will remain for time immemorial and continue to entice its wearers.

Lac / Lakh Bangle Making:
Normal lac / lakh is stuck/pasted thickly on a wooden rod and rolled over a flat surface to make it into a cylindrical shape. This lac / lakh is then heated slowly over the coal burner. The heated lac / lakh is continuously pressed and rolled over the flat iron plate with the help of wooden tool. The colored lac / lakh is heated simultaneously and then applied evenly by rubbing it on the lac / lakh . Once the color has been applied to the lac / lakh base it is again shaped into a thin coil and cut off from the plain lac / lakh rod. The width of the bangle varies as per the design incorporated on the bangle. Brass or steel is used as base for the lac / lakh . The metals are first converted in the shape of the bangles and the thin lac / lakh coil is rolled on the brass or steel base. For a thin lac lakh bangle 3 thin brass bangles are kept together and on that lac / lakh coil is rolled, incase of steel base, the base thickness is made according to the required width of the bangle. The thickness and the length of the coil approximately depend on the final shape and size of the bangles. The semi-finished bangle is slipped into a round wooden beam with a tapering end for adjusting to the proper shape. The bangles are kept aside for drying

Lac / Lakh Bangles Importance
Lac / Lakh bangles are considered auspicious in several cultures of the country and therefore popular in regions like Rajasthan, Hyderabad and Bihar. They are considered a sign of good omen and are worn on all auspicious occasions in Gujarat and Rajasthan; In Rajasthan Lac / Lakh bangles continue to be popular and are preferred as they are soothing to wear and do not cause any infection or itching as in the case of plastic or glass bangles. Worn in ceremonial functions, traditional designs are popular.

With intricate designs some have rhinestone crystal, artificial diamonds, pearls and mirror work. From teens to working women to housewives, everyone wants to embrace the magic of lac / lakh bangles. In fact, if you are getting married, the lac / lakh bangle is considered a must in the wardrobe.