PIERCED IN PRAXIS

Tracing the journey of the nath — a classic testament to identity, memory, and the evolving language of Indian womanhood, once rooted in ritual and now celebrated in fashion.

- By HUNAR BHATIA

Amid the celebrations and guests waiting in anticipation of a lavish ceremony, there comes a moment that only the bride and her reflection are privy to. Almost ready, decked up in silks and sentiment, she's left with one final touch — fastening her nath. In that quiet instance, as she glances at the woman in the mirror, the heirloom piece having transformed her reflection, she realises that she now holds onto an ancestral thread and a memory to be cherished for life.

The significance of the nath, through an Indian lens, transcends that of mere ornamentation. More than jewellery, it's a rite of passage, a declaration of identity, an emblem of womanhood, and a coming-of-age ritual. As much a part of a bridal ensemble as a mangalsutra or a chooda, the nath stands for its profound allure.

THE MANY FACES OF A NATH

In Himachal Pradesh, when a young bride fastens the clasps of her nathuli, she's well aware that the generous curve carries not only her renewed status as a bride but also the silent promise of an heirloom. The tradition, however, unfolds differently across state borders.

The delicate bulak — an elongated septum ornament that resides above the Cupid's bow, is another Pahari nath. In Maharashtra, a bride chooses between the crescent-shaped clusters of pearls in the Peshwai nath, or the dainty Brahmani variety, both enabling her to embrace her womanhood, symbolising purity and devotion.

In the south, a bride dons a