The mānga mālai (Tamil: Mango Garland or necklace) and the mānikka Addigai (Tamil: Ruby Choker) are typical examples of Tamil necklaces, both worn for celebratory occasions such as weddings and/or as part of dance costumes by bharatanatyam dancers. Nature inspired jewellery, featuring flora and fauna were common in South India. The mānga mālai design can be traced as far back as the Chola period, as seen in bronzes produced at the time. This pair of necklaces are important in many ways – they bear testimony to the socio-cultural heritage of Tamils in Singapore; they are also superior examples of Indian gold craftsmanship and of the material culture of Tamils in the region in the 19th/20th centuries.
