Hyderabadi bangles the final piece of an Eid dress

Women flock to bangle stalls in markets of twin cities


APP May 27, 2019
Women flock to bangle stalls in markets of twin cities. PHOTO: ISRAR-UL-HAQ

ISLAMABAD: With Eidul Fitr just around the corner,  the multicolour, glittering and clinking 'glass Bangles' are becoming a rage amongst women in the markets of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

The coloured glass bangles are a massive draw for hundreds of women across all age groups who are looking for a perfect set of bangles which match with their dresses on Eid.

The bangles originally come from the southern city of Hyderabad which is famous for its handmade glass products.

The city's Choori Gali or ‘Bangle Market’ is the largest wholesale bazaar of its kind in the country, consisting not only of shops selling the product but a huge network of manufacturing and designs units that produce bangles known for their high quality all over Pakistan.

According to stall holders selling bangles, men and women both purchase bangles and that they usually prefer to purchase Hyderabadi bangles.

The men, a stallholder said, purchase bangles for their wives or sisters who cannot travel to the market.

“Our primary costumers are women," said shopkeeper Nomi Haroon.

Given the way the factory owners in Hyderabad, dealers, distributors and retailers price the bangles, they end up making the bulk of the profits these days, complained a worker.

Bangles are rigid bracelets, usually made from metal, wood, glass or plastic, said another factory worker, adding, that they are a traditional decorative ornament worn mostly by South Asian women.

Apart from the different colours, glass bangles are often coated with the glitter of different colours and some even come with a ‘ghungroo’ (rattler) hanging from them but these are mostly liked by the young girls, said another stall holder in a local Islamabad market. Zainab Bakir, who was purchasing bangles in an Islamabad market said that bangles are available in different colours, materials and sizes during the festive season.

“Women’s shopping for Eid is incomplete without matching bangles,” beamed Tahira Yousaf while trying on some bangles at a store in the capital, adding, every woman wants to look different and attractive for the festive occasion.

She added that the traditional Hyderabadi bangles accentuate and complete their overall ensemble.

Accessories give extra attraction to your personality, confirmed Yusra Hussain who was purchasing bangles next to Yousaf.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27th, 2019.

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