The New Nation - Internet Edition

The bangle is a decorative ornament that women across Bangladesh have been wearing for years. In fact, the bangle has a great socio-cultural-religious significance in our history and culture. This is because literature has glorified this ornament to make it the epitome of feminine grace.

Besides all this, bangles have a very traditional value. As it is considered inauspicious to be bare armed, Married women are always wearing some bangles around their wrists. Today, the modern day women may not wear bangles with their daily attire, but only on occasions and festivals. This is because to them, bangles have a very sentimental value. In fact, to the woman, bangle is not only an ornament, but also an important part of womanhood and honor.

Bangles are made of many materials including plastic, glass, metal, kundan, lac, beads, black metal, silver and even gold. They are found in different colors, designs and different shapes too. Of course, the most durable of these bangles is the gold bangle, and the least durable, glass bangles. This is why many women prefer wearing gold bangles for day-to-day life and glass bangles for special occasions.

Bangles are very popular and with growing fashion trends, have become a highly popular in their various designs and forms. No longer are bangles just made in a circular shape with glass. Today, bangles are made from various materials and can be found in many shapes such as round, rectangular, oval etc. Worn in pairs, one on both arms, bangles are colorful, beautiful, and enhance the beauty of women who wear them. Gold, silver, wood, ferrous metals, plastic, rubber, and glass among other things are used extensively to make bangles. However, tradition demands that women wear gold and glass bangles or only gold or glass bangles.

Gold bangles studded with semi-precious gems, or diamonds, pearls or just plain gold bangles with pretty designs are popular in not only our country but also in the world. The range of these bangles can range from downright simple to extremely intricate. Generally, women adorn a single bangle across the world in various variations such as bracelet. But in other regions such as the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia, bangles have been evolved into a wide range and each is used for different occasions.

Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, India is the single largest producer of glass bangles. Hyderabad, capital of Andhra Pradesh State, also has a historic bangle market called Laad Bazar. In Pakistan, glass bangles come from Hyderabad.