|
|
The Shopper's Paradise
Delhi is a veritable paradise for shoppers, who can
buy objects ranging from the simplest of Indian handicrafts to
international designer labels, and often within the same shopping area.
Delhi is unique in that it has representative outlets for the handicrafts
of each Indian State. This in itself presents a staggering array of goods,
and at very affordable prices.
In the last decade there has been a dramatic change in Delhi's markets.
The buying power of the public has increased and people are more aware of
fashion and lifestyle than ever before. This has led to greater
sophistication in display, more - and fancier - shops, competitive
advertising and marketing strategies and the upgrading of certain markets
in terms of availability of items.
The Medieval Shopping Towns
Delhi has long been the most important trading centre in northern India.
Many of its localities, like Sheikh Sarai and Yusuf Sarai, derive their
names from medieval market towns, which serviced the bygone, shifting
capital cities of Delhi. Today, all of these have become a part of rapidly
expanding metropolis. Instead of market towns, there are specific
wholesale markets or "Mandis" scattered throughout the vast
city.
For visitors to Delhi, shopping is high on the list of things to do.
Tourists will find in Delhi a wide choice of items - such as carpets,
silks, jewellery, leather and silver ware, handicrafts and hand-printed
cotton that are synonymous with India. Since many tourists leave India
from Delhi, this is an important fact to bear in mind, as "shopping"
can be left for the last leg of the journey. Equally important is the fact
that each item is available in a range of prices, depending on the quality
and the outlet.
Another interesting fact is that each market has its own, distinctive
ambience and adds its own flavour to the experience of shopping. Hauz Khas
Village, Connaught Place
and Chandni Chowk are
world apart from one another, yet each of them reflects an aspect of this
many-faceted city. In fact one of the fascinating ways of understanding a
city is by wandering through its market places for it is here that
contemporary culture is most visible to the outsider.
The Bazaars Of Old Delhi
The exploration of Delhi's markets could begin at Chandni Chowk. There
are fascinating lively accounts of this bazaar as it was during the 17th,
18th and 19th centuries. Despite the pressure of traffic and population,
its historic landmarks survive to tell the story of the last three
centuries. Many of the shops here are more than 100 years old, and the
mesh of lanes and bylanes is full of surprises.
Leading off Chandni Chowk is "Dariba Kalan", the street of
incomparable pearl, Khari Baoli, the spice market and Kinari Bazaar for
trimmings and tinsel. In some of these bazaars the items for sale are
manufactured at site, which lends a special charm to the shopping
experience.
Well integrated into the culture of the old city, these bazaars offer the
visitor a glimpse of life in Old Delhi. There are some antique stores
behind Jama Masjid, and more lining the entrance to the
Red Fort, where the Meena Bazaar
once was. These offer items ranging from jewellery to paintings and
furniture and cater almost entirely to tourists.
An Imperial Touch
Connaught Place, New
Delhi's original shopping arcade was planned as part of the Imperial
capital in 1911. Its colonnaded arcades retain their colonial touch even
though many shops are distinctly contemporary. Close by, on Baba Kharak
Singh Marg, are the numerous government State Emporia. These afford a
glimpse of the handicrafts of each state. So does the recently inaugurated
new Central Cottage Industries Emporium on Janpath.
Across the road from "Cottage" as it is popularly known are the
inviting stalls along Janpath. The Tibetans sell jewellery and ritual
objects, while closer to Connaught Place are available embroideries from
Gujarat and Rajasthan, readymade garments and bric-a-brac. When the
weather is good, it is pleasant to amble down Janpath where bargaining is
the order of the day.
Sounder Nagar Market is a fine place to shop for antiques and silver
jewellery. The well-appointed stores keep a choice selection, especially
of silver jewellery from Ladakh, semi-precious stones, some textiles and
brass, copper and silver object d' art. Not far from Sunder Nagar is the
Crafts Museum Shop, attached to the museum in Pragati Maidan.
The Contemporary Supermarkets
Moving further south are the upmarket shopping centres of South Delhi -
South Extension, Greater
Kailash I and II, Green Park and Hauz Khas Village. The haunt of the
nouveau riche, these markets offer a combination of ethnic chic and
designer labels, Indian and international. One of the more visible results
of the liberalisation of the Indian economy is the burgeoning of
international designer-wear outlets.
Hauz Khas Village
has set very interesting trends as a market. Over the centuries, a village
had developed around the medieval college and the tomb of Feroze Shah
Tughluq and as such it was one of Delhi's many "urban villages"
which are being engulfed by the sprawl of the city.
A few years ago, an association called "Dastakar" - established
in the tradition of providing village crafts through an organised
marketing system-set up a showroom in the village. It didn't take long for
entrepreneurs to capitalize on the distinctly rural setting. Now the
village has a plethora of boutiques, galleries and restaurants, which
co-exist with buffaloes, cowpats and men smoking 'hookahs' on 'charpoys'.
Far from being a deterrant, the "rural" ambience is a positive
attraction. Other villages like Mehrauli, Khirki and Lado Serai are fast
following suit.
Seeing the popularity of crafts held periodically in the capital, Delhi
tourism has set up a permanent outlet for craftsperson's at Dilli Haat,
where space and the availability of Indian cuisine's make a visit a very
pleasant experience.
A more upmarket outlet for Indian handicrafts and antiques is the bazaar
near the Qutub Minar.
Foreign tourists frequently visit this place, which is an en route to the
nearby complex of monuments. The
Santushti Shopping Arcade opposite the Ashoka Hotel has become another
popular upmarket haunt. Developed by the air force wives association, it
has a select number of boutiques where apparel, furnishings and
accessories are available. A restaurant and patisserie add to the quiet
charm of the place, which is also beautifully landscaped.