Under the latest and popular online series of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya(IGRMS), titled Exhibit of the Week’, displayed a chura, a pair of metal anklet collected from 1995. The anklet is associated to Kamar community of Raipur, Chhattisgarh. It measures 6.8 cm in length and 11.3 cm in diameter. It was displayed for the audience as The Second Exhibit of the month through official website, Facebook, Instagram and twitter page of the IGRMS.
In this regard Dr. Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS said that Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind), Initially this series will focus on the masterpieces from its collection which are considered as unique for their contribution to the cultural history of a particular ethnic group or area. Chura, a pair of metal anklets also known as Juda is used among the Kamar tribe of Chhattisgarh. The ornament has a symbolic association with the marital status of a married woman. The anklet is made of alloy, prepared by the local Kansari (metal caste) community. The shape of the anklet is cylindrical, having three uniformly projected circular flanges along the body. One-fourth anklet can be fully detached to facilitate comfortable wearing, and further, it can be socketed back by inserting two thin metal plates attached to the other part.
Regarding this object Dr. Sudeepa Roy said that The married women wear it to show her family status while participating in dance performance or visiting the relatives' house. It is gifted by the groom's family to the bride along with Nathunia (nose ring), Bajunia (armlet), Kardhani (waist chain) etc. by following the customary ceremony known as Chadhao. Such heavy metal anklets are now worn only on special occasions. For regular use, they prefer fancy anklets that are available in local haats.