The art of adornment is as old as Indian civilization itself. Flowers, beads, carved wood, and stone were used to decorate the body, eventually evolving to incorporate ivory, copper, silver, gold, and precious or semi-precious stones.
Jewelry has become more simplistic.
Over the years, jewelry in dance has become more understated. Necklaces, bracelets, and arm bracelets are still used but are not as big or heavy as they once were.
Compare the necklaces in the following images. The necklace on the left, from the 1930s, is multi-tiered and extremely ornate, while the more contemporary necklace on the right is a simple, gold chain.
[Ram Gopal was an important player in popularizing Bharatanatyam in the western world. His first solo was in New York City in 1938. The style of the time was dramatic and ornate with jewelry worn on the arms, neck, and chest. Eye catching head dresses were also used.]