After Eid rush, Meena Bazaar gears up for wedding season shoppers

Karachi

The narrow lanes of Meena Bazaar, where one normally has to forge a way through a sea of men and women and men, wear an empty look as the Eid season has finally come to an end. But just three to four days ago, the market was swarming with people, most of whom were there to buy bangles, one of the most popular accessories on sale at the iconic bazaar. 

While some people choose to visit the market well before Eid, some live in the moment and head there on Chand Raat on a quest for ready-made sets of bangles. An elderly, kind-faced shopkeeper, Iqbal Memon, who couldn’t spare a moment during the rush hours, let out a sigh of relief as the customers dispersed, pleased that none of his buyers returned disappointed. 

Located in Karimabad, Meena Bazaar is said to be one of the oldest markets of Karachi, with its upper section dedicated solely for women selling apparel, jewellery and also has henna decorators and beauty parlours. 

Known for its small shops selling bangles, the markets –  namely Lalukhet, Meena and Anarkali bazaars – still remain a hub for sales, but only Lalukhet and Orangi Town are famous for the production of bangles, for which Hyderabad is the main centre. 

Iqbal recalled how one of his loyal customers visits his shop on a particular day before Eid every year, and like previous years, she was lucky enough to find a set which matched her beige shirt with colourful floral design. 

Unlike other shops, Iqbal’s is difficult to spot among the plethora of shops in an area that is divided into alleys with shops on either side, leaving a narrow pathway for buyers navigate through. 

Taking a stroll down memory lane, Iqbal recounts that, earlier, the bangles were only produced in four colours; red, blue, yellow and green: “The glass bangles called ‘resham ki choori’ were extremely popular back then but as time passed, more dyes were introduce. As of now, there are more than 50 colours available in both multi and single coloured sets.”

“I have been selling bangles over here for the past 25 years now. Before that, my shop was at Jama Cloth Market. I remember the times when a dozen bangles would cost ‘aath-aanay’ and I would sell them for 30 paisas,” he reminisced. 

Speaking about inflation, Iqbal insisted that he still sells bangles at a reasonable rate that starts from Rs50. 

“I think bangles are among the few must-have accessories, so I try my level best to sell at a reasonable price because, after all, not everyone can afford the steep prices at other markets,” he said, as his fingers effortlessly laced together a set for a waiting customer. 

“The bangles come all the way from Hyderabad and are sold at wholesale rate at Lalukhet. From there, we purchase the stock and bring it here for retail,” explained Iqbal. 

While Iqbal’s shop is inside the bazaar, Sirajuddin’s shop calls out to buyers as soon as they set foot in the market. “We belong to the Marwari community and have inherited this as our family business. However, unlike others we get transparent ones and get them coloured ourselves,” said 19-year-old Muhammed Umer, who usually helps his father run the shop during the holidays.

“The rush is usually the same all year round but our sales do increase tenfold on Eid. That is largely because during Eid days, customers do not just buy one set. Moreover, we are now also getting goods from India because customers are drawn to the metallic variety and there has been a decline in sales of the glass variety.”

For the shopkeepers, Chand Raat is always was worth the wait as people throng the markets and the commotion keeps them occupied throughout the night. “Instead of making sets for them as they demand, I prepare multiple sets beforehand and sell them on the go,” shared Iqbal. 

While the bazaar portrays a picture of serenity these days, Iqbal is adamant that this relief won’t last too long as the July wedding season approaches. “There is a certain festivity that only Eid brings about, but the wedding season is also almost the same for us. Wedding preparations simply cannot be complete without bangles, can they?” he says with a smile.