Everything has changed, yet nothing has changed… is the easiest and the most precise way to define weddings. From bridal trousseaux to destination celebrations, every aspect of the walk down the aisle has evolved. A small yet significant part of marriages, the mangalsutra has seen a paradigm shift too. A meaningful memento of matrimony, an emblem of our storied cultural legacy and a precious piece of jewellery, a mangalsutra is an indelible part of a bride’s solah shringar as she embarks on a new journey. The necklace that signifies love and commitment has been a custom for centuries, with its traces that go back as early as fourth century BCE. Adorned with black beads, it is known to ward off evil spirit and negative energies. But the Gen Z and millennial bride, who no longer conforms to norms, is charting her own path when it comes to her mangalsutra too, all while embracing tradition.
Mangalsutra 2.0
Modern brides no longer look at the mangalsutra as piece to be stowed away in the jewellery box, but instead as a statement piece that can become an extension of her day-to-day lifestyle. The surefire way to make it more versatile, more adventurous is by breaking free from conventional designs. Think styles that gracefully honour mangalsutra’s legacy with luxe, lowkey designs and a modern touch. Traditional yellow gold options have been replaced with minimalistic mangalsutras, diamond-studded mangalsutras, layered mangalsutras and coloured stone mangalsutras. The silhouette has also got a new lease of life with options ranging from bracelet versions and even rings.
From Tanishq to DiAi Designs, jewellers, too, are aligning their collections with the new-age bride’s refreshing outlooks. In 2020, Sabyasachi Mukherjee introduced the Royal Bengal mangalsutra. Each resplendent creation features the couturier’s patent royal Bengal tiger and is made with diamonds. Bulgari gave the iconic silhouette their cool, contemporary interpretation with a round diamond pendant, accompanied by two smaller discs of black onyx. The gemstones are encased in the double-logo circles that characterise the ‘Bulgari Bulgari’ and ‘B.zero1’ lines. Crafted in 18 carat rose gold, another design from the Roman house showcases a timeless design that honours tradition while embracing modernity, with its refined black onyx beads paying tribute to local customs. The long necklace’s versatile design allows it to be styled in multiple ways, reflecting Bulgari’s eternally modern spirit.
Put A Signature Stamp On It
If your mangalsutra reflects your own most authentic self, I guarantee you’ll want to wear it all the time. It’ll will no longer be limited to festive occasions, instead a conversation-starter for every ensemble and event, from dresses to pant suits and from board room to the bar. Let symbolism and significance become as important as beauty and craftsmanship in your purchase. Your guiding points should be: Do you want it to be short or long? What’s your favourite metal and precious stone? What designs or motifs speak to you? How will you style your piece? Most importantly, what do you want this piece to represent? You can go as literal or figurative as you like.
The necklace style, be it a lariat or layered, is a fantastic way to make it your own. Moving beyond the necklace focus on the pendant, which can be customised to the T. You can commemorate it your initials, a special date or unique motifs that speak to you and your love story. From an evil eye design and infinity sign to your pet and favourite flower, the sky is truly the limit. A mangalsutra with your birthstone is another option to personalise it and inject a pop of colour to it.
Bollywood Brides And Their Mangalsutra Styles
Want to make your mangalsutra meaningful, rather than a piece that represents marital status? Borrow inspiration from Bollywood brides. From Parineeta Chopra to Rakul Preet Singh, celebrities have all made the customary wedding jewel their own by giving the design their own signature stamp. Think former Khush cover girl Sonam Kapoor Ahuja who incorporated her zodiac sign as well as that of her husband’s into her mangalsutra. Anushka Chopra’s piece features a tanmanya with a dangling flower design.
Unlike an archetypical mangalsutra with black beads throughout the chain, Katrina Kaif’s Sabyasachi Fine Jewellery piece features a few next to the tear-shaped pendant. Patralekhaa opted for Sabyasachi Fine Jewellery 18-carat gold Royal Bengal mangalsutra. Deepika Padukone’s mangalsutra, by the couturier, is a single string of black and gold beads with a large solitaire diamond as the pendant. Kiara Advani wears a strikingly similar one.
Priyanka Chopra, an ambassador of the house of Bulgari, proudly wears a necklace set in yellow gold with black onyx beads, where the centrepiece pendant has diamonds. Sonakshi Sinha has also given her stamp of approval to the Bulgari mangalsutra. Her Bvlgari Mangalsutra Sautoir Necklace, crafted by the magnificent Roman High Jeweller, draws inspiration from the intricate curves of ancient Roman coins and features iconic round elements adorned with black onyx and pavé diamonds.
Priya Banerjee’s mangalsutra is as meaningful as they come. Her gold chain is interspersed with a handful of black beads, but it heroes solitaire diamonds that were once part of the groom Prateik Patil’s late mom, the legendary actress Smita Patil’s personal jewellery. Not only is her stunning mangalsutra a twinkling tribute to the beloved family member, but a repository of memories and legacy.
On several occasions, Radhika Merchant has given a masterclass on styling a traditional mangalsutra in modern ways. In December 2024 for Ambani’s Christmas celebrations, she wore her conventional diamond piece wrapped as a bracelet with her custom gold fringe gown from the shelves of Rimzim Dadu. During her appearance at the NMACC Arts Cafe launch in Mumbai, she had all eyes set on her unusual mangalsutra styling with a stunning dress from Dior’s Spring/Summer 2023 collection. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, who often wears varied silhouettes, has long been a fan of the bracelet style too.
The Neo Mangalsutras Worth An Investment
I suggest make your mangalsutra a medium for self-expression. Let it become an elegant story that evokes your commitment to your partner and connection to your cultural roots. Above all, go a step further by personalising to spotlight your fiercely individualistic style and independent spirit. Ahead, explore some of the most elegant and avant garde mangalsutras in the market today.
