In my early years in Delhi, circa 1950s, the door to door sales world was vibrant! Even in the sarkari colony where we lived, vegetable and fruit vendors were daily visitors. But other wares like cooking and stainless steel bartans (still a novelty at the time), sarees, rolls of pant and shirt material (the pre-ready made days), bangles, toys etc were regularly on offer. Also, many services were offered. One could sharpen knives, aluminium coat 'peetal' cooking vessels, repair umbrellas.....etc. And then as winter arrived, the Afghani men with the dry fruits would arrive.....the taste of those chilgosas still linger in my mouth!
Thank you for bringing back to memory this world of mobile traders. They would fill our homes with the delights of shawls from Kashmir, kantha from Shantiniketan and chikankari from Lucknow. Loved the craft and storytelling style.
Street sellers were such a fascinating part of my childhood, a fabulous link between homes and the greater world outside. Loving your weekly rambles, Mukta.
In my early years in Delhi, circa 1950s, the door to door sales world was vibrant! Even in the sarkari colony where we lived, vegetable and fruit vendors were daily visitors. But other wares like cooking and stainless steel bartans (still a novelty at the time), sarees, rolls of pant and shirt material (the pre-ready made days), bangles, toys etc were regularly on offer. Also, many services were offered. One could sharpen knives, aluminium coat 'peetal' cooking vessels, repair umbrellas.....etc. And then as winter arrived, the Afghani men with the dry fruits would arrive.....the taste of those chilgosas still linger in my mouth!
Thank you for bringing back to memory this world of mobile traders. They would fill our homes with the delights of shawls from Kashmir, kantha from Shantiniketan and chikankari from Lucknow. Loved the craft and storytelling style.
Thank you for reading and appreciating
Your post reminded me of an old image I shot of a saree seller who had come knocking. Name: Sajidul Sheik.
From Murshidabad, W Bengal.
In Mumbai for the last 4 months.
Next destination - home.
And then, anywhere in India. https://www.behance.net/gallery/1988307/Door-to-door-saree-seller
Oh lovely! I’m fascinated by hyper mobile lives.
Yes. Me too I guess. Have been trying to make a story out of it called Nomads in the City: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/nomadsinthecity/
Street sellers were such a fascinating part of my childhood, a fabulous link between homes and the greater world outside. Loving your weekly rambles, Mukta.
Thank you!!
We still have saree sellers in Mumbai. Rare but still around! Thankfully.
I enjoyed reading this :) especially how you girl found the stories behind the craft fascinating too. Would 'Amit' jee have any social media page? ;)