Stories and jewelry from India
Silappathikāram or the lay of the ankle bracelet” is a Tamil epic from 5th century credited to Ilangō Adigal. The story is set in the three kingdoms of Southern India – of Chola, Pandya and Chera and revolves around a gem merchant Kovalan, his wife Kannagi and his mistress courtesan Madhavi. Read the synopsis of
The word Silappathikāram translates to “the lay of the ankle bracelet” or the “epic of the ankle bracelet”. It is a Tamil epic from 5th century credited to Ilangō Adigal, a Jain prince who later became a monk and the brother of the Chera King Senguttuvan. The story revolves around a gem merchant Kovalan, his wife
Rāmayanam is a Hindu epic that details the life history of King Rāma of Ayodhya, his brothers, his wife Sītā and their trials and tribulations. In most stories about women and jewelry, women play the central character driving the story forward. However, in this incident from Rāmayanam, the woman, Sītā is only spoken about. Her