Recreating the splendour of Taj

It’s impossible to describe the Taj Mahal. To gaze in wonder at the magnificent dome and elegant gardens will be a moment that you remember for the rest of your life. The Taj Mahal which epitomises the romanticism of the Mughul era, the craftsmanship, the art and the heritage, is today available at Tanishq stores. Tanishq recently launched the collection Taj at The Taj West End as a tribute to the craftsmanship, wrought in gold, diamonds and precious stones. As the collection states it is an ode to the spirit behind the intricate jaali work, engraved marble and mosaic panels, exquisite calligraphy and perfect symmetry of the Taj Mahal. Says, Madhavi Banerjee, the designer of the collection, “The Taj Mahal as a monument and as a love story has long been a landmark in Indian history. It has been an epitome of love and often an inspiration for artists and designers likewise. We at the studio wanted to create a design differentiated collection which was not different for the sake of it but was identifiable with a significant bygone story such as this. And what better an inspiration if not the Taj.” Recreating and symbolising the dome, the engraved stone flowers, the stone inlay work, and the jaali work of the monument, the collection has been categorised into two parts. Timeless Taj — which has traditional Mughal aesthetics and is been created mostly from uncut diamonds, traditional Jaipuri enamelling and colour stones set in 22 kt gold. And, Taj Contemporary — which is a modern rendition of the Taj, its silhouette and the love story, created in 18kt gold, with brilliant cut diamonds and enamelling. “All designs are statement pieces in themselves. What is special about this collection beyond the exquisite aesthetics is that for the first time in precious jewellery, polki, has been combined with Jaipuri enamelling and brilliant cut diamonds together in the same piece with 18 kt gold as the base metal. Popularly this combination of material is never created in the same piece as it is impossible to set polki or even make Jaipuri enamelling in 18 kt. It’s always 22 kt that gives base to such handmade techniques. But in this collection we have broken few age old barriers and combined the above to create new manufacturing landmarks,” adds Madhavi. Jaali work:  The intricate jaali screens surrounding the cenotaphs of the interiors of the Taj Mahal, are ‘metaphorically’ replicated in hoop earrings, diamond bangles and necklace sets. Representation of the Dome: The silhouettes of the magnificent dome of the Taj Mahal and its iconic symmetry comes alive in the collection. The gold ring with two rows of diamond and an enamelled centre, the dome-shaped earrings with blue enamel, the dull gold bangle with diamonds encircling the circumference with diamond studded dome silhouette at the centre bring out the grandeur of the dome. Stone Inlay work: One of the most intricate and breathtaking traits of Taj Mahal, iris and lily motifs are all engraved in gold and studded with precious stones. The patterns on the walls and the roof of the wonder monument are also replicated.