11 July,2011 09:54 AM IST | | Avantika Patil
A self-proclaimed cancer graduate, Lisa Ray is itching to make a comeback in Indian cinema and plans to pen down a memoir soon. The Canadian-born actress will be seeing travelling across Indian towns and cities in search of understanding the traditional art of jewellery making on a lifestyle channel. As she starts talking to CS about all that's gold, there's a sparkle in her eyes that you just can't miss.
Who: Lisa Ray
What: Talks about her love for jewellery and how it makes for
wise investment
Infatuated India
Jewellery is a celebration for me. And it is amazing to see the kind of fetish Indians have for gold and silver. These two metals are revered like nothing else in India. You will find precious metals in sarees, sweets, medicines, furniture and the most shocking, even in house furnishings! Recently I was in Delhi, the city of bling, where I spotted a commode made up of gold in a popular store (laughs). Now you understand why I say that Indians are obsessed with gold?
But truth to tell, I've realised that jewellery, especially gold, makes for a good investment. It has been a part of our tradition; a part of our currency, and I completely stand by this tradition. I see gold as a form of security for women. I myself have started investing in gold. Not all in terms of jewellery, but I've been investing in stuff like gold certificates.
Golden connect
My dad is a Bengali, and so whenever I've visited India, a trip to the family jewellery locker has been the norm. Every time I took back a spectacular piece of jewellery with me. Every single piece of jewellery that my grandmother owns is fantastic; I would love to inherit all of them (winks). But realistically, I'd love to own my grandmother's ring which is beautiful and can be worn daily.
In fact, my most prized possession is a ring gifted to me by my mother. It is special because my father had gifted it to her and then she passed it on to me. It's a ring with a centralised oval ruby and tiny diamonds surrounding it. I would also like to be gifted an Oddiyanam, it's a belly belt made of gold mostly worn in Southern India. I also like Jadau, the Rajasthani form of elaborate gold jewellery.u00a0
Pearl fantasy
I am a jewellery person, but I don't like to overdo it. Usually I wear a chain, a pair of earnings, a watch and a bracelet. And though I like gold, I adore diamonds. But after my recent trip to the Pearl City, Hyderabad, I have fallen hard for pearls. I used to think that pearls are classy but boring, suitable for aging women. But now I know that pearls can give you a subtle yet regal look.
