Crown jewels for keeps

At jewellery designer Asha Kamal Modi's exhibition this weekend, you can get a glimpse of jewellery inspired by the Nizams of Hyderabad

At jewellery designer Asha Kamal Modi's exhibition this weekend, you can get a glimpse of jewellery inspired by the Nizams of Hyderabad

Traditional jewellery is timeless and keeping its magic and authenticity in mind, Delhi-based jewellery designer Asha Kamal Modi, has organised an exhibition, to showcase The Nizam Collection. Modi is also the founder of Art Karat, a jewellery line, which has its base in silver and is studded with precious and semi-precious stones.
The exhibition includes a range of necklaces, long earrings, bracelets, bajubandhs, tikas, rings and pins. More than 700 designs have been created for this collection and the entire range is priced between Rs 2,000 to
Rs 50,000.



Revisiting history
The Nizam collection is inspired from the jewels possessed by the Nizams of Hyderabad. Modi claims that her designs are unique and authentic, more akin to art than just mere baubles. "It's for the first time that these jewels have been created in silver instead of gold. We look at our designs as a piece of art and not just jewellery. Each design is handcrafted by efficient craftsmen and we have used a lot of precious and semi-precious stones. The authenticity of the design has been maintained and hence repetition has been restricted," she adds. A lot of research and study has gone into the making of The Nizam Collection. Modi shares that every stone has been carefully selected to fit each design.u00a0


A neckpiece with a pendant


Long earrings from The Nizam Collection. Pics/ Akshata Shetty

A buzzing marketplace
Modi believes that Pune is a major market and she admits to have received an overwhelming response over the past two decades. "I usually cater to the age group between 25 years and above. But I am open to the younger lot as well, provided they find a design that suits their personality and style," says Modi.
Though she doesn't have a store in the city yet, she hopes to start one soon. For the time being, she is set to exhibit her collection in jewellery boutiques.u00a0

Wall of fame
Modi's artwork has been showcased in several Hindi films including Devdas, Monsoon Wedding, Kamasutra and Zubeida among others. She was recognised by the FICCI Ladies' Organisation as one of India's 20 most influential women who have significantly contributed to the economic reform of the country.

Till November 13
At Hotel O, Koregaon Park