(Clockwise from top left) A model showcases designer jewellery, actress Riya Dey checks out a necklace and other ornate pieces at the exhibition in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Aug. 7: Heritage jewellery crafted by well-known designer Asha Kamal Modi is attracting ornament lovers at an exhibition hosted at a hotel in Jayadev Vihar here.

Presented by Modi’s brand Art Karat, the collection is a new line by the designer inspired from paintings, sculptures and poetry describing the jewellery of Radha, Krishna and their friends and hence named Raasleela.

Modi has lavishly used kundan and meena craftsmanship in the collection.

The jewellery pieces have been designed in a unique way and have been crafted with embossed gold and kundan. Filigree and stonework have also been used in the collection, said a host of the exhibition.

“Asha commissioned various artists to create paintings that were later integrated with precious stones set as temples on the neckline. The stones include precious ones such as rubies and emeralds. Pearls, too, have been used,” said Sudhish Kumar, the public relations manager of Art Karat. The Raasleela collection describes the shringaar or adornment of Radha, he said.

The exclusive line includes a beautiful range of necklaces, danglers, studs and heavy earrings as well as traditional Indian ornaments such as bracelets, bajubandhs, tikas, rings and hairpins. More than 700 designs have been presented in the collection that ranges between Rs 2,000 and Rs 1,00,000.

While Modi’s designer jewellery have been worn by Rani Mukherjee, Deepika Padukone, Aishwarya Rai and Rekha in various movies including Devdas, Monsoon Wedding, Kamasutra, Zubeida and even Ram Leela, her clients include celebrities such as Madhuri Dixit, Tina Ambani, Cherry Blaire, Alicia Keys and so on. Among royalty, Princess Diana, queen Rania of Jordan and Maharani Gayatri Devi as well.

In Bhubaneswar, many socialites and celebrities dropped in to see and buy the collection displayed at the five-day exhibition that concludes on August 10.

“I’m absolutely in love with the concept and designs of this collection. I have always loved heritage designs in jewellery and this is exclusive in that line. I’m definitely collecting a few pieces,” said actress Riya Dey, who was seen at the exhibition.

The previous collection based on temple art was also exhibited in Bhubaneswar.

“The temple collection was exhibited across Indian and then we displayed it in USA, UK, Singapore and Australia. We plan to take this collection across showrooms and galleries in India and then travel abroad too,” said Kumar. Art Karat employs more than 1,000 craftsmen around India, including Odia filigree artisans.