Retail therapy: Its Ramzan shopping time!

Namaaz ki topiA walk into the lanes of Old City, one can witness men and children with namaaz ki topi, which is one essential accessory for Muslims during Ramzan. They are a “must buy” and come in different varieties and colours. From cotton to nylon to woollen, these caps are imported from different parts of the country and a few even from Indonesia and China. The most popular ones are the nylon caps from Indonesia, as they are said to be very comfortable. The prices range from `50 to `300. Upon serious bargaining, one can buy this cap for even `20. Mohammad Ayaz of Madina Bag Works, a store which sells caps says, “There is huge demand for these caps during Ramzna and we sell around 300-350 everyday. We usually fix the rate at `50, but then end up selling them at `20 or `25.” RumalThe most common attire of men during Ramzan is Pathan suit, namaaz ki topi and rumaal. Rumaal, a scarf, is usually hung around the shoulder while praying. These scarfs are also in great demand and come in a lot of varieties and patterns. They are imported from Mumbai and Lucknow. They are priced anywhere between `100 and `350 and with bargaining techniques will fetch you a scarf at just `50. If the shopkeeper is not convinced with your bargaining, just walk away and he will surely call you back and give it you at your price. According to Mohammad Ayaz, their store sells about 70-80 scarfs everyday.CurtainsRamzan is also the season for buying new home furnishings like curtains, carpets, sofa sets and bed sheets. Curtains are very much opted by women this season to bring in a festive spirit in their homes and make them look bright. Curtains are priced depending on the work done on it and the place they are imported from. They range from `50 to `120 per metre and one can bargain up to a maximum of `35 per metre. Ayesha Siddiqua, a resident of Old City says, “The shops usually sell at `75 a metre, during off seasons, but during Ramzan the prices are affordable. This is why, we buy everything new, including bed sheets, sofa cover and even footrests for our homes.”ItharIthar stores are one of the most flooded stores during Ramzan. Men and women buy their favourite scent for themselves as well as for giving them as presents. The ithar prices range from `50 to `150 per 100 ml. They come in more than 50 scents and the most popular ones are Akbar and Firdous. An employee at Deccan perfumes says, “People usually do not bargain much for buying Ithar as they usually buy them as presents.”   DressesTalk about shopping and its never complete without new clothes. Readymade dresses and dress materials sell as cup-cakes during Ramzan. Designer dresses, cotton chudidhars, anarkali, patiala dresses,  Arabic style and many more keep adding onto the list. Women are seen bustling the stores and bargaining with store owners for their favourite picks. Salwar kameez come in many varieties, works, colours, stictches, patterns and what not. And talking about prices, they range from `100 to `1, 500 and can be bargained massively. Zahed Bin Mohsin of the Amer’s Suits, sarees and furnishings says, “We have customers all through the day and even at night. The dresses are on great demand and we have to keep updating our stock.”Sewaiyan (vermicelli)Apart from haleem, another very popular delicacy of Ramzan is Shirkurma. It is a sweet dish made of sewaiyan or vermicelli. It takes about 7 to 8 hours to finish the whole procedure of preparing it and then is sold. It costs about `50 per 500 gms and upon bargaining, it may cost about `30.