In Rajasthan, people ask for Bhabho and Sandhya's jewellery: Jewellery Designer Manasi Karia

Manasi Karia, known for her undefined designer jewellery and styling, has designed for almost all big TV shows and worked with almost all the reputed production houses namely Ananda Films, Hats off Productions, Rajshri Productions, Shashi Sumeet Productions, Sanjay Leela Bhansali Films Pvt Ltd, Sagar Arts, Endemol, Red Chillies, Chhota Ganpati Telecreations, 4 Lions, Adhikari Brothers, Behind The Scenes Productions, Mystic Production, Film & Shots Production House and Village Boy Production Pvt Ltd among others. A jewellery stylist for Indian television since the last 12 years, Manasi’s husband Manoj is a manufacturer. In an candid chat with Tellychakkar.com, Manasi discusses the jewellery designs of her latest shows, how, over the years, jewellery trends have evolved on TV and her views on the criticism that TV heroines wear heavy jewellery. Excerpts: What did you keep in mind while doing the jewellery design of the following shows? Bani – Ishq da Kalma: (smiles) I went to a Gurudwara to research on the rural Punjabi look and the styling of their jewellery. I found out what kind of jewellery Punjabi Sikhs, who believe in God, wear. The lead character Gurbani (Shefali Shah) wears an ek omkara locket around her neck and also sports bali (earrings). Savitri: I am designing the jewellery of the contemporary era set in Kolkata. And after hectic research, I came up with pearls, rubies, emeralds and a lot of gold in it (studded work). It gives a traditional look. Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara: In that I introduced Indo-Western styling. The hero Aditya’s (Nakuul Mehta) mother Avantika (Manasi Salvi) wears a bead style. She is very dynamic and is separated from her husband. Her jewellery style blends with how she carries herself. Saraswatichandra: This show requires typically traditional Gujarati styled jewellery. I have made simple jewellery with minute detailing. Also, designer and unique ornaments have been designed and developed for Menka (Sonia Shah) and Guman Vyas (Monica Bedi). Diya Aur Baati Hum: We have given Bhabo’s (Neelu Vaghela of Diya Aur Baati Hum) jewellery a peacock look. She and Sandhya (Deepika Singh) have the archetypal Marwari look. I have given Sandhya a delicate pipe set with a unique piece in the middle. In Rajasthan, people ask for Bhabo and Sandhya’s jewellery. Punar Vivah: Punar Vivah is set in North India. It’s about a woman getting remarried. Hence, I wanted to give Aarti (Kratika Sengar) a subtle look and played with soft diamonds. Instead of large pieces, I gave her cute flowers. I had to convey the idea that she is trying to adjust with her second husband. To communicate the fact that she’s happy in her second marriage, I designed jewellery accordingly that supplements her character. Housewife: In Housewife, Suhasi Goradia plays the role of a very happy housewife, maintaining family equilibrium. Also, the character that she plays throws light on our family values, enhancing the importance of a housewife fighting on all the fronts and still being taken for granted. Hence, her jewellery is designed and developed very carefully supplementing her character and we have kept the same in mind for other artistes of the show as well. Dil Ki Nazar Se Khoobsurat: Dil Ki Nazar Se Khoobsurat is one of my favourite shows. Beautiful Aaradhya (Soumya Seth) is attracted to beautiful things and is repulsed by ugly things. When you think of the most beautiful flower, you instantly think of a rose. Keeping that in mind, I have made a rose shaped jewellery for her. Madhav’s (Rohit Khurana) mother Bharti (Urvashi Upadhya) isn’t conventionally good looking and hence I had to convey that she isn’t happy wearing the jewellery. So, she wears delicate chains with a small locket. Aaradhya’s mother Menka (Roop Sidhu) is very good looking and hence has to look ‘wow’. That is why she wears very beautiful jewellery. Hongey Judaa Na Hum: I gave Muskaan (Aamna Shariff) gorgeous jewellery and different styles of earring sets. Her mother Tara (Deepshikha Nagpal) was also made to wear nice diamond sets as per her role. Okay. However, critics complain that certain shows have too heavy jewellery... Yes, that is true for certain soaps which I am not doing. On my shows during bedtime, the characters wear small studs and tiny chains. Sometimes, however you have to go with the trend of heavy jewellery as you need to bestow a ‘TV look’ instead of keeping it plain and simple. Nevertheless, I try my best to stick to more real and authentic look. Even a small black thread or a small tulsi bead will also look good provided it blends in with the character. How have jewellery trends changed over the years on TV soaps? Earlier, we would have loud and chunky pieces of artificial jewellery. Now, we make semi-precious jewellery which look like real. They aren’t loud and blend with the face and costume.