Family Jewels
Tatler Singapore|August 2023
Vihari Poddar founded her eponymous jewellery brand in 2006, but her family's history in gems goes back at least four generations. The founder of Vihari Jewels discusses the struggles of those who came before her and how she is honouring them while paving her own way  
Annabel Tan
Family Jewels

Precious gems have been at the heart of Vihari Poddar’s family for generations: she runs her own jewellery brand, Vihari Jewels; her father is the founder of diamond company House of Gems; her grandfather was a gemstone auctioneer; and her great‑grandfather was a gem merchant. But more than just being the commodity of their trade, Poddar reveals that jewels, in particular rubies, hold so much more significance: they are the lifeblood of her family.

During the Second World War, Poddar’s paternal grandmother, Ranjan Sheth, who was born in Myanmar (then known as Burma), lost her parents and their family home burnt down. About 12 at the time, she and her nine siblings fled Yangon (then known as Rangoon), the capital city where they lived, for Kolkata (previously Calcutta) in India. They brought nothing with them except for about 40 pieces of Burmese rubies.

The siblings carried these not in their pockets but hidden in the skin between their toes, which had been sliced open with a pocket knife, embedded with the small gems, and then stitched back. This was the insurance their ruby trader father had left with them before he passed away. He had given them instructions to escape out their back door, which led to the waterfront where the ships were. They were to exchange one ruby for their passage to India; smuggled with the cargo to avoid being found by the military.

Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Tatler Singapore.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Tatler Singapore.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA TATLER SINGAPORESe alt
Mathew Leong
Tatler Singapore

Mathew Leong

As the Norway-based Singaporean chef celebrates a milestone year both personally and professionally, he opens up about the toughest moments of his career and why failing is not an option

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Asian Inspirations
Tatler Singapore

Asian Inspirations

Chef Ace Tan on his second restaurant, Asu-his love letter to regional Asian cuisine

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
State of the Arts
Tatler Singapore

State of the Arts

Arts nominated member of parliament Usha Chandradas discusses growing the creative economy by focusing on both supply and demand

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Through a Curator's Lens
Tatler Singapore

Through a Curator's Lens

Circe Henestrosa, a fashion curator and the head of the School of Fashion at Lasalle College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, merges her personal connection with artist Frida Kahlo with her extensive curatorial experience to explore intersecting themes of identity, disability and cultural heritage

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Second Nature
Tatler Singapore

Second Nature

Poet and educator Yong Shu Hoong brings fresh perspectives to the helm of the Singapore Writers Festival, from interdisciplinary perspectives to multilingual programmes

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Wine Down
Tatler Singapore

Wine Down

Nothing wraps up the day like a nice glass of vino. From flashy hedonistic escapades to geeky watering holes, these new wine bars promise celebrated viniferous pours that will please even the most discerning of oenophiles

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
A Legacy in Silhouettes
Tatler Singapore

A Legacy in Silhouettes

Kristina Blahnik, CEO of the designer shoe brand Manolo Blahnik and the niece of its legendary founder, shares her insights on preserving the house's heritage and introduces the new Manolo's Silhouettes campaign

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
To Have and to Hold
Tatler Singapore

To Have and to Hold

With its sumptuous textures, Loro Piana's elegant autumn/winter 2024 collection is a chic celebration of craft, quality and the universal appeal of tactility

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Scent of Strength
Tatler Singapore

Scent of Strength

Hermès unveils its first chypre perfume, Barénia―a captivating fragrance crafted by renowned perfumer Christine Nagel that embodies bold femininity and celebrates the brand's rich heritage

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Nocturnal Revival
Tatler Singapore

Nocturnal Revival

Nighttime skincare rituals will get a boost of supercharged restoration with La Mer's new Rejuvenating Night Cream

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024