These are the kind of jars, my family uses back home in Andhra to store pickles like mango, lime and amla etc., They are our traditional kitchenware and I love the coloring, the shape of these beautiful ceramic jars. It’s been my hobby to collect these, here. So far I found the ones in the photo, from garage sales, flea/farmer markets and thrift shops etc., The price range I paid for these was 25 cents to 5 dollars, depending on the size.
I use these jars to store pickles just like how they are used in India. I also use them to store ghee, spicy powders, snacks like roasted peanuts etc., I love them because they connect me to my homeland. So pretty to look at, they are my treasure finds.
Do you collect kitchen things? I’d love to read about your kitchen collection. Write a comment or post at your blog, showoff your pretty stuff. You’re meme‘ed.:)
Posted in response to this comment.
wow! indira, these are so lovely. i adore these ceramic jars. we call them ‘bharani,’ in kerala. every worthy household used to have an array of bharani-s for storing different stuff. these are especially suitable for storing sour items, like pickles. in kerala, we store tamarind in these ceramic pots. and they were a must for making the ‘uppumanga,’ the tender mango pickle in brine. huge bharani-s would rest in the cellars of ancient households, carrying their bounty of the pickled mangoes.
hey, any idea how these ceramicware arrived in india, and how they appear so similar in india and the US ?
Comment by renu — March 18, 2006 @ 3:04 pm
treasures indeed.
You have made me want to go and make pickles. (Not that I have time to do that right now)
Comment by sam — March 18, 2006 @ 4:13 pm
I love them too. My mom had two huge ones for tamarind, jaggery etc and smaller ones for pickles and salt. Arent they beautiful to look at?
Comment by Ashwini — March 18, 2006 @ 4:42 pm
Hi Indira,
As always you inspire me with your thoughts and ideas…I don’t have a worthy collection to share yet, but have been thinking about it a lot lately after my 9 year old asked me about family traditions and heirlooms.
Thanks for the lovely ideas…
Comment by SS — March 18, 2006 @ 6:04 pm
I too used to collect these jars when I was in India. Also, figurines made of ceramic. Stopped that after coming here… Don’t like throwing these out when I move. 🙁 I also collect beautiful glass bottles (smaller the better). Love to store the kitchen stuff in glass and containers closer to nature… Dont like plastic much. It’s hard to leave my glass containers behind, now that I’m moving to Toronto. (Sshhh! Don’t tell my husband I’m still sneaking 3 of my fav glass jars 😉
Comment by Kay — March 18, 2006 @ 6:16 pm
Hi Indira…
chala bavunayi, I haven’t been to a thrift shop till now, will definately go this time.
Comment by Lakshmi — March 18, 2006 @ 8:45 pm
Hi indira,
Jadilu baga collect chesi jagrathhaga thechaare.Nenu CA nunchi blog chesthunanu.Hyd lo mummy vallu vunnaru.nenu nandhyalalo 1st class chadivanu.Ikkadaku vachemundu yaganti velli devudi darshanam chesi vachamu.Me blog naku chala nachindi kittaya kooda.Mummy valladaggara kukkapilla vundi(Sunny). i love that stupid verymuch and iam missing tooo.
o.k inte sangathulu.nenu try menthi chutney chesi choosthanu.
vineela
Comment by vineela krishna — March 18, 2006 @ 9:38 pm
Hi Indira,
These jars are really cute..We call it ‘Barani’ in Kerala.I was also planning to bring one when i go for vaccation.
Comment by Annita — March 18, 2006 @ 10:36 pm
Hi Indira – what a lovely collection. I have some in the same style and color. They have no lids, are small and are used for individual butter servings at each place setting. Have also used sets for salt and pepper, to hold lemon slices, etc. There is a warmth and down-to-earth feel of these pieces.
Comment by Maureen — March 19, 2006 @ 1:43 am
mom calls them “martbaan” (like dirt-baan)
Comment by Because of B — March 19, 2006 @ 3:01 am
Those are quite nice looking! I collect Pyrex from the 50’s in all the colors…pink, lime green, brown, light blue…
They are like my mother’s and grandmother’s dishes, so when I use them I think of them. They arne’t halfway across the world, just over a thousand miles away, but I still love the memories they hold.
Comment by Jenn — March 19, 2006 @ 9:09 am
An impressive collection!
Comment by Gini — March 19, 2006 @ 9:18 am
Hi Indira,
I, too, have a collection of ‘Baranis’ like this back in Pune. I also like collecting steel/copper/brass vessels with traditional shapes. You know, the kinds you get in places like Udupi. e.g. steel vessels in shapes of earthern ‘Matkas’. I have only a few yet though. Interesting to know that you have done your collection in the US.
Comment by Vaishali — March 19, 2006 @ 9:44 am
These are beautiful! So much better than my big (and rather ugly) canning jars.
The only thing I really collect are mortars and pestles. I have five – from the 30 pound green granite one for making curry pastes (mostly Thai, but also some Indian) to the tiny brass one I use just for grinding cardamom for chai.
Comment by Diane — March 19, 2006 @ 11:32 am
Such a lovely collection Indira. I have been trying to find one unsuccessfully so far. Hopefully I will find one soon.
Comment by Santhi — March 19, 2006 @ 1:11 pm
ooh! yes “Jadis”. I collect them too. I’ve got 2 sitting near my stove for salt and tamarind. I also use it for dosa chutney powder and oil, ghee, pickles etc.
I love to pick up little kitchen stuff wherever I go. No wonder I always have a problem with overweight baggage!!
cheers!
Comment by Saffron Hut — March 19, 2006 @ 1:12 pm
Indira: So pretty these jadi’s are!:)
Comment by Karthi Kannan — March 19, 2006 @ 7:15 pm
I’m very happy to know that there are people out there who shares my joy and interests. It’s really a pleasure to read all your comments. Thank you all for responding and sharing. I really appreciate it!
Comment by Indira — March 19, 2006 @ 10:55 pm
I was overwhelmed by your collection if pickles indira.. I wanted to know from where did you buy all these and it’s indian rates. Mail me back dear you have a lovely collection.
Comment by Shona — April 4, 2006 @ 10:54 pm
Indira,
I like these jars too. I have one safety concern. I have read that some ceramic glazes can contain lead! I hope that none of these jars contain lead in their glaze. Do you know of any Indian manufacturers and of their glaze composition. I would like to know, as I am not satisfied with storing pickles in old Dalda or plastic containers, and would like to use these Martabaan, if only I knew they were safe (lead free).
Comment by Jora — July 22, 2006 @ 3:25 am
I live in New York. Any idea where I can find these?
Comment by Teena — August 27, 2006 @ 1:26 pm
[…] Traditionally,Uppumaanga is preserved in huge ceramic jars called ‘Bharani‘.See our blog queen Indira’s collection of Bharani’s here. And now the recipe… […]
Pingback by UppuMaanga(Salted mangoes) « My Treasure…My Pleasure — October 4, 2006 @ 9:07 pm
I love this site
Comment by karishma — November 12, 2007 @ 3:18 pm
hi indira, my mom has these jadis. they are used to store tamarind, red chilli powder, tumeric that she gets in big quantities from native place. these are tall and cylindrical ones. she uses two big round ones for summer pickles like mango, tomato, amla, drumsticks etc. she uses one small one for doddu uppu(rock salt). and two small table side ones for pickles.these cermaic jar help to store any ingredient for long time without odor, color to the containers as well as keeping them frm air and moisture. well thought by our ancestors!
Comment by srividya — March 28, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
Nice collection Indira!
Comment by Mona — February 5, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Hi Indira,
I wish I could show off my kitchen stuff, but I really need to get things more blog-worthy. I hope you do not mind my using the picture of the jars for an article on my blog. In case you do not entertain it, do let me know.
Comment by Eroteme — March 28, 2009 @ 10:03 am
Can someone please let me know where could I get these beautiful jaadis in US
thanks
lata
Comment by Lata Ramesh — June 24, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
Hello Indira: I ‘ve written a poem on mango pickles as a memory of my mom’s marathon pickling efforts every summer in bombay and was looking for a bharani image- can I use yours with your permission?
kindly let me know, Thanks
bina
Hello Bina,
A poem for mom’s pickle efforts. What a wonderful tribute! I’d like to read it.
You are most welcome to Bharani image. Thank you for asking permission.
Best regards,
Indira
Comment by bina gupta — January 30, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
I have a collection of vintage copper & brass vessels( family heirlooms) in traditional shapes from Mangalore.Some of them have my ancestors name engraved on them.I have an open loft in my kitchen where I display them. Its highly appreciated by people who visit my home.
Comment by Navanitha Shetty — March 30, 2010 @ 6:06 am
Please can anyone help us finding these bharani in any part of India. We require to pack these with pickles and gur (jaggery).
I would be very greatful to anyone how can provide me info of above.
Thanking you,
Rahul
Comment by Rahul — February 23, 2011 @ 2:15 am
where can i get in mumbai these porcelein pickle jaes
Comment by shobha — April 15, 2013 @ 12:46 pm
Indira garu,
Namaste!
I would like to order “jaadilu” for avakaaya. How may I order for those. Need as soon as possible. Please advise.
Thank you,
Manjula
Comment by Manjula Mangipudy — July 7, 2013 @ 4:24 pm
hi maam, I am meera writing to you from Dubai. I am from Bangalore. When I was searching pickle jars on the net I found your site. Your collections are very beautiful. Can you please tell where can I get them or where can I order them from? Waiting for your reply.
Thank you,
Meera
Comment by meera — June 14, 2014 @ 9:24 am
Very. Saw them at naanis and daadis place. Not available in market now. Would like to have set of two.
Comment by Anamika Mehta — June 21, 2014 @ 11:01 am
[…] Nonche(Konkani) is pickle. Ambli(Konkani) is unripe mango. This is a special chutney prepared using the salted unripe mangoes. During mango season, unripe mangoes which do not have very hard seed are put in big Bharnis(Ceramic jars – used to store pickles) and lot of salt is put on top of them. On top of this, two big stones are kept for weight. Then the top of this jars-usually called as mouth of the jars, are tied along with the lid with a cloth to seal the lid. These jars are left in the dark corners of the house for months. These jars are opened and the mangoes are taken out during non-mango-seasons. These are usually called as “MeeTa(Salt) ambli or Udka(water) ambli or Noncha ambli“. The salted mangoes are eaten as it is or used in many dishes. Usually these are served along with water to the servants. These mangoes and a glass of water leaves a long lasting flavor in the mouth :). […]
Pingback by Salted mango chutney(Noncha ambli sasam) | Aayi's Recipes — July 24, 2014 @ 4:57 pm
I want 2 bharnies with white color if your shops is available please call me this number 9900970017
Comment by USA — August 5, 2014 @ 6:29 am
Very nice jadis useful for all pickles
Comment by krishna — May 21, 2015 @ 7:47 am
Very nice jadis useful for all pickles
Comment by krishna — May 21, 2015 @ 7:47 am
I want them
Comment by Anonymous — June 14, 2016 @ 3:12 am
i want to buy can you guide
Comment by latha c adka — August 18, 2016 @ 1:39 am
Latha from mangalore Would like these jars is it available in mangalore please guide
Comment by latha c adka — August 18, 2016 @ 1:42 am
I would like to buy some of the jars wherecan I get in USA
Comment by Bhavna patel — September 26, 2016 @ 9:38 am
I would like to buy some of the jars wherecan I get in USA
Comment by Bhavna patel — September 26, 2016 @ 9:38 am
I would like to buy these jars,where can I buy them in Dubai, UAE
Comment by Jenny — December 18, 2016 @ 12:13 am