Dance Jewellery: What a Full Set Includes
Most people renting jewellery for the first time do not know what a complete set contains, which makes it impossible to notice something missing. Here is the list, and how each piece stays on.
The Headset
The headset is the nethichutti along the parting, with surya and chandra either side, and the rakodi at the back of the plait. It is pinned into the hair, not balanced on it — if it is not pinned properly it moves in the first jathi and the dancer spends the item aware of it.
Neck and Chest
A short necklace at the throat and a longer one over the chest. The two are meant to read at different distances — the short one from the front rows, the long one from the back. Renting only one leaves a visible gap in the composition.
Waist: the Ottiyanam
The ottiyanam is the belt that holds the costume line at the waist. It has to be fitted tight, tighter than feels natural, or it slips as soon as the dancer sits into araimandi. We fit it at the studio for that reason rather than handing it over in a box.
Arms and Ears
Vanki on the upper arms, bangles at the wrists, jhimki at the ears. Jhimki are the pieces most often lost, usually at the venue afterwards — which is why we hand over a list and ask you to check against it before you leave the hall.
Differences Between Forms
Bharatanatyam uses the full temple set. Mohiniyattam is deliberately more restrained, with simpler ornaments suited to the form's quieter vocabulary. Kuchipudi sits between the two. Using the wrong set is one of the more visible errors in a competition.
A Complete Temple Jewellery Set
- Nethichutti, surya and chandra, rakodi — the headset
- Short necklace and long necklace
- Ottiyanam (waist belt), fitted tight
- Vanki (upper armlets)
- Bangles
- Jhimki earrings
- The checklist itself — check against it before leaving the venue
Not sure what you need?
Call the studio and describe the item, the date and the dancer's age — we will tell you what it takes.
Dance Jewellery FAQs
- Headset (nethichutti, surya, chandra, rakodi), short and long necklaces, ottiyanam belt, vanki armlets, bangles and jhimki earrings.
- Yes. Many dancers own the costume and rent only the ornaments.
- Because it slips as soon as the dancer sits into araimandi. We fit it at the studio rather than sending it in a box.
- Yes. Bharatanatyam uses the full temple set; Mohiniyattam is deliberately more restrained. Using the wrong set is visible to judges.