Making of Dimasa jewellery
The video documents a young Dimasa woman engaged in the making of traditional jewellery, a practice she initially pursued as a personal hobby and for her own collection. Over time, this individual interest evolved into a small-scale entrepreneurial activity, where she began crafting and selling her creations. Among the items she produces is Rangbarsha, a traditional form of Dimasa jewellery made using coins such as old 50 paise pieces and annas. In addition, she also creates other ornaments like Phowal and Chandrahal. While retaining the essential features of traditional designs, she incorporates subtle modern elements, particularly in earrings, adapting them to contemporary preferences and coordinating them with the colours of traditional attire.
The practice of jewellery-making, as seen in the video, reflects both continuity and transformation within Dimasa material culture. Traditional ornaments such as Rangbarsha, crafted from coins, carry historical and symbolic value, representing not only aesthetic sensibilities but also the resourcefulness of earlier generations. The reuse of coins as decorative elements points to a cultural tradition where everyday objects are imbued with artistic and social meaning.
At the same time, the artisan’s work illustrates how tradition is not static but adaptive. By modifying designs to suit changing tastes and incorporating modern styles, she negotiates between heritage and contemporary identity. Her shift from personal use to commercial production also highlights the role of women in sustaining and reinterpreting cultural practices within new economic contexts.
Thus, the jewellery-making process becomes more than an act of craftsmanship; it serves as a medium through which cultural knowledge is preserved, reimagined, and transmitted across generations, reflecting both continuity and innovation within Dimasa society.
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