Playful luxury: Studio Tara’s jewellery celebrates bold contemporary shapes with restraint

Bharathi Ramamurthy brings her jewels to Bengaluru for an exhibition. We chat with the Chennai-based designer about her design philosophy, and balancing creative instinct with technical knowledge

Updated - October 30, 2026 10:03 am IST

A bracelet set in yellow gold and silver with multicolour tourmaline, sapphires, aquamarine and spinel | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

“I don’t think fine jewellery has to be serious all the time,” says designer Bharathi Ramamurthy. Her Chennai-based bespoke atelier brand Studio Tara has been crafting statement pieces for 26 years now. Coloured gemstones, textured metal and a bold-meets-playful aesthetic define the brand. As Studio Tara heads to Bengaluru for an exhibition on October 31, we chat with Bharathi about what makes her jewellery distinct.

Designer Bharathi Ramamurthy

“I would call my design ethos bold but quiet. I love strong, contemporary shapes, but I believe real luxury shows in restraint. Every piece begins with the stone.” There is a thoughtful use of untreated gems in her rings, cuffs, earrings, pendants and other pieces. “Colour is where I begin. I work with peridot, garnet, tanzanite, aquamarine and yellow beryl, to mention a few and I stay with natural, untreated and unheated stones. That is important to me because what you see is the stone’s true colour, just as nature made it. It is rarer and harder to source, but it is the only way I want to work,” says the designer who thinks her brand is designed for the independent urban woman.

Navarathnam Mala from Studio Tara

India’s new appetite for contemporary work

While India has a strong tradition for heritage and bridal jewellery, Bharathi feels there is a new kind client now. The younger and well-travelled crowd is looking for design-led pieces that can be worn often.

“There is real appetite for contemporary work, and also a lot of curiosity about gemstones, especially untreated ones. It is an exciting time to be doing something different.” This is where her pieces like the chilli pendant come in. It is cheeky yet elegant. “The chilli is a bit of fun, but it is made with great discipline. Each one is built from many, many layers of enamel, and each layer has to be applied and fired with care. That is what gives it that depth and glossy colour. So, it is playful to look at, but it’s serious craftsmanship underneath, and I think that contrast is what makes people smile when they see it.”

This weekend, Studio Tara is bringing its fine jewellery to The Living Room, JW Marriott hotel. “Jewellery really has to be experienced in person. A photograph cannot show you how a stone catches the light or how a piece sits on your hand. So, I would love people to touch, try on and enjoy the pieces.” Bharathi will be there to talk about the stones and to discuss something bespoke for the customer. The show will have different price points and many styles. “I want it to feel relaxed and welcoming, more like visiting a friend’s home than a formal exhibition.”

Studio Tara’s exhibition is at The Living Room, JW Marriott, Vittal Mallya Road. On October 31, 11 AM to 7 PM. For more details follow @studio_tara on Instagram

Published - October 30, 2026 10:01 am IST

Bengaluru / fashion / lifestyle and leisure / Chennai

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