Vanakkam

Founded in 2018, Mookuthi began as an homage to the smallest yet most impactful ornament—the nose pin, or as it is called in Tamil, the Mookuthi.

Nose ornaments have long been a distinguishing symbol of status, culture, community, and even rebellion. At Mookuthi, our intention is to use this subtle canvas to celebrate South Indian history, culture, and craftsmanship.

“Back in 2015, during my time as someone experimenting with jewellery design, I was asked by a dear friend, who always wore a dainty single stone diamond nose pin, to make an elaborate nose ornament for her. As she switched to the new piece, her face transformed in an instant. I realised that this was the smallest piece of jewellery that I made but the only one that changed the way the woman looked. This realisation led me into a rabbit hole of nose ornaments, and here we are.”

Sarath Selvanathan, Designer & Founder

Drawing inspiration from both the grand and the subtle, Mookuthi embodies a conscious celebration of our roots, in a contemporary context. From the architectural marvels of Chola temples to the delicate Kolams drawn everyday outside South Indian homes, we honor our heritage by thoughtfully translating these elements into nose ornaments that carry a piece of the past into the future.