The artist hand paints each canvas celebrating India's enduring jewellery heritage.
In the field where art and diamonds converge, few artists have been more influential than Reena Ahluwalia. Her most recent paintings capture the essence of cultural heritage. Also of personal identity, history and epic diamond jewellery more than most could dream of.
The famous Guinness World Record-holder artist and jewellery designer presented these depictions of the maharajah and maharani of the Royal Mizorati. They are decorated with precious stones, and she disclosed their acquisition from the C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum in India.
These works are not just paintings. They are a living testimony to the interconnectedness of our identity with natural gems. Also with the jewels that adorn us and the reflection of the stories they carry.
Ahluwalia's inspiration for these rich canvases stems from a deep fascination with the power of jewellery as a form of self-expression and identity. Her extensive historical research and artistic exploration of gemstones resulted in these paintings, which have been years in the making. She chooses royal portraits, rich in nuance, history and symbolism. In this way Ahluwalia reconnects the grandeur of the past with the sensibilities of the present. She creates a narrative that resonates over time.
The paintings, each measuring 60 x 40 inches, are meticulously hand-painted on canvas. They celebrate the unbroken legacy of India's jewelry and the enduring importance of these gems in the cultural mosaic. The maharaja and maharani are adorned with historically accurate jewellery. While their bodies are draped with diamonds, highlighting the grandeur and elegance of the Kingdom of Mysore in India.
Each piece tells a story of strength, purity and the rich history of the Indian royal family.
The portrait of the Maharaja of Mysore is detailed with a rich collection of historical jewellery and gems. It features a necklace of diamonds cut in an old mine from Golconda, India, paired with drops of Colombian emeralds. Among the embellishments is a necklace of spinel beads from Badakhshan.
It also features the famous Order of Gandaberunda necklace, embellished with rubies and natural diamonds from Burma. Along with a distinctive necklace combining a gold Gandaberunda (two-headed bird) with a tiger claw. Also enhanced by natural tiger fur and an emerald cabochon.
The works of art also include a richly gemmed sword. With a Yal (mythical beast) shaped handle, dating from between 1790 and 1810 in Mysore or Tanjore.
Also depicted is a ring with a Golconda diamond surrounded by Colombian emeralds. Even turban decorations made of Golconda diamonds, rubies and pearls. But the maharaja's outfit is completed with a full-length, multi-strand necklace of pearls and emeralds,. Even an arm band that combines diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Also an important gold tiger headdress from the Tipu Sultan's throne, belonging to the 1785 royal collection.
Michore's Maharani painting is also richly decorated with an array of historic gems and jewels.
It features a headpiece that is coated with natural diamonds, Burmese rubies and Colombian emeralds. It also includes 17th century earrings, a set of rubies and diamonds from the Al Saba collection. Also a lovely necklace combining diamonds cut in old mines from Golconda with Burmese rubies.
Also pictured is a Manga malai necklace with rubies, emeralds and diamond pieces from Burma in a 19th century Kundan frame. An 18th century brooch with diamonds, rubies and emeralds. Gold bracelets from the 17th to the 18th century. A gold sprinkler with CKC rose water. A waist belt with precious stones, given to Queen Alexandra by Chamarajendra Wadiyar X in 1875. All these further enrich the vivid portrait.
These masterpieces have found a fitting home at the C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum in Bengaluru, India. This private museum is a treasure trove of art, gems and jewellery history. Focusing on the Deccan and Carnatic regions of Central and South India. The museum also celebrates the 150-year legacy of jewellers C. Krishniah Chetty, renowned for serving more than twenty-one royal communities in India, including the Kingdom of Mysore.
Dr. C. Vinod Hayagriv is an art connoisseur, collector and one of India's most famous jewellery icons. He facilitated the acquisition of these paintings for the museum. His dedication to both preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Indian jewellery and art ensures that these paintings will inspire and enchant visitors for generations to come.
Ahluwalia describes her work as a bridge between the past and the future.
A reminder of the deep-rooted importance of natural gemstones in Indian culture. Once adorning royal families and now part of museum collections or private property, these jewels symbolize more than opulence - they carry history, culture and personal power. Through her art, Ahluwalia invites us to reflect on our own brilliance, seeing ourselves as the modern-day Maharajas and Maharanis of our lives, resilient and shining like gemstones that have withstood the pressures of time to reveal their true beauty.
Securing their place in the C. Krishniah Chetty Crystal Museum, these paintings guarantee that the legacy of the Maharaja and Maharaja of Mysore and the timeless charm of the jewellery that defined their reign will continue to fascinate and inspire. Ahluwalia's vision and artistic prowess ensure that the history, legacy and symbolic power of these royal figures will endure, inviting future generations to explore the rich tapestry of Indian culture and the personal narratives interwoven with his jewellery.
Source: naturaldiamonds.com
