Thewa is a refreshing and elegant form of jewellery from Rajasthan. This 400-year-old craft has its origins in Pratapgarh. The term thewa is a portmanteau of two Malwa words, tharna (converting gold into thin sheets) and vada (the silver framing of the ornament). Goldsmith Nathu Ji Soni is known to be the creator of this craft.
“When Nathu Ji described the process of making the pieces to the then-ruler of the Devgarh province, Maharaja Sumant Singh, he picked up the two Malwa words and combined them to name the art form, thewa,” said Raghav Raj Soni, the sixth-generation thewa artist from the pioneering family. Nathu Ji Soni was also conferred the title of Raj Soni (Royal Goldsmith) by Maharaja Sumant Singh.