Cultural artifacts of the Gadaba tribe of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh come with many dynamic cultural expressions. This one set comprises four ear studs, each in the quite unusual shape of a tiny umbrella with a handle, almost charmingly so. The dorsal surface of the ear stud is conically shaped, imitating the canopy of an umbrella, while the ventral side features a cylindrical piece of metal that serves as the handle or as the post for attachment. The conical surface is decorated with intricate designs that resemble fish or reptilian scales, demonstrating how the Gadaba tribe has intimate ties with nature and superb skill in visualizing natural forms as artifacts.
The ear studs are traditionally made of white metal and thus fulfill not just decorative purposes but also social and cultural functions. Among the Gadaba, ornaments like the Langulo are integral to the identity of a person and are worn on occasions that involve rituals, festivals, and other community gatherings. Further, the very technique of craftsmanship is supported by the evidence present in these ornaments in terms of the long traditions of metalworking of the Gadabas. Each stud is made and hand-finished by a member of the Gadaba tribe, using ancient metalworking techniques passed down through the generations and thereby keeping alive a long tradition of tribal artistry. Indeed, artifacts like the Langulo serve to comprehend the symbolic language of tribal adornments in India. Presently, they are preserved in museums and cultural research facilities as a testimony to the rich artistic heritage of the Gadaba.