Chitralayam - where our Jewellery journey started in 1989.
The Origin
Back in the 1970s, Mu. Ramalingam was a respected artist and creative force in the calendar and advertising industry in Kovilpatti, Tamil Nadu. At a time when visual storytelling was entirely hand-crafted, his family specialised in fine art illustrations, building a legacy of creativity, precision, and visual excellence. Through his distinctive artistic style and dedication to craftsmanship, he left a lasting mark on the advertising world of his era.
His son, K. R. Radha Krishnan, carried this legacy forward through a different medium. Drawn to the artistry, precision, and permanence of jewellery, he established a fine jewellery business in Kovilpatti in 1991. Over the following three decades, he worked closely with skilled artisans across the Kovilpatti and Coimbatore regions, refining his craft and building deep expertise in traditional jewellery making.
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Sharon Ramalingam developed an early appreciation for art, design, and craftsmanship. His sister, Sneha Radhakrishnan, an architect, shares this creative outlook, bringing another design perspective to the family. Sharon graduated with top honours from the Royal College of Art, London, in 2021 and has since collaborated with leading global organisations and manufacturers across London, Italy, Shanghai, and Bangalore.
Yet some of his most formative experiences came much closer to home. During visits to his father's jewellery workshop, Sharon spent time observing the remarkable skill of local karigars. The precision of their work, the patience behind every detail, and the quiet mastery passed down through generations left a lasting impression. It nurtured not only a passion for design, but also a deep respect for the cultural heritage embedded within the craft itself.
Years later, after returning to the United Kingdom, his thoughts often returned to those workshops, artisans, and traditions that had shaped his upbringing. While studying contemporary jewellery culture and global design-led brands, he realised that the stories, symbols, and craftsmanship of South India deserved a place within modern jewellery culture. Not as a memory of the past, but as something living, evolving, and relevant for today.
Zaurum's workshop and craftmen in the heart of Kovilpatti
Zaurum was born from the belief that three generations of artistry, craftsmanship, and design could come together to create jewellery that honours where it comes from while embracing where it can go. Across generations, the way we create has evolved, but the desire to make something with care and intention has remained. One generation’s knowledge becomes the next generation’s starting point, giving familiar ideas the freedom to take on new forms.
That is the spirit behind Zaurum. We carry forward what has been learned, made, and imagined before us, while bringing our own perspective to it. Every piece is an expression of that journey: shaped by the hands and ideas that came before, considered for the present, and created with the future in mind. For us, honouring a legacy means keeping it alive, allowing it to grow, change, and find meaning with a new generation.
