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INTRODUCTION :
Today, the firmament of Calcutta is deluged with advertisements - and more advertisements,
which have an indubitable influence on trade and commerce. Shops and arcades are cropping up everyday. So are the shopping malls and
super-markets. In this day of glamour and glitter, the concept of the age-old 'Hut' or special market of Bengal is gradually becoming archaic. The
special market at Shyambazaar for instance, which offered pets for sale, is no longer in vogue.
Many such exclusive special markets/'huts' are fast becoming things of past. In Bengal, especially in Calcutta,
these tekrams were very popular as they sold many essential items of everyday life as well as several amazing, interesting and spectacular things at
remarkably cheap prices so that the masses could afford them. Some such notable
'huts' or special markets, of which Calcutta is justifiably proud,
have been described below.
MANGALA HUT :
As soon as we utter the name of Calcutta, the name of Howrah Bridge instantly flashes in our minds. This historic bridge stands to this day in all its pristine glory joining the twin cities of Calcutta and Howrah. Not far away from
the end of the bridge, rows of shops are visible on both sides of the
road in the city of Howrah. The place is noteworthy because of the tumultuons
throng, the congealed traffic jam and the shrill honking of the vehicles. The rabble, the rows of cars with the din and bustle and the ebullient atmosphere all around,
gives the feeling of some festival taking place. However, the happening event is no less than that in any sense whatsoever.
For arriving at 'Mangala Hut', one has to alight from the bus at the Bangabasi stop. The road in front of the Bangabasi Cinema Hall assumes such a festive
look on Tuesdays when the 'hut' is held. It is so named
be cause the special market is held on 'Mangal Baar' or Tuesday.
Mangala Hut is very old and has a glorious history. It is known all over Bengal and even
outside. It is immensely popular among all people, especially the indigent classes. This tekram is
unparalleled not only in Bengal but in entire Asia for its variety, richness in quality and
availability of all types of garments at incredibly low costs.
People from remote areas and the suburbs of Bengal start flocking here from Sunday afternoon. They come here with their commodities mostly hand-made, and erect teeny,
pro tem shops on the pavements. The entire region is flooded
with such shops. On Monday, these humble merchants are driven to a frenzy, as they render the finishing touch to their shops and arrange their commodities in the best possible way to attract the customers. As the day rolls,
the frenzy increases enormously. Buying and selling take place vigorously even in the diurnal hours. The business of the tekram
reaches its climax after dusk. It continues in full swing through out the night. 'Mangala Hut' is distinctively different from other huts or markets, as the others generally start and end within the
diurnal hours, whereas the former is mostly known for its
nocturnal affairs. Hectic business transactions continue through out Monday night and go on unabated till Tuesday noon. The merchants come to the
'hut' with all types of ready-made garments. The mammoth stock ranges from children's wear to clothes of old men and women
viz., skirts, shirts, frocks, salwar-suits, T-shirts, sarees, casual
wears and several other fancy garments. Even school uniform and sports outfits are also available here. The
salient feature of this tekram which makes it so distingue is that in most cases, the sellers themselves are the manufacturers of the garments. After the
'hut' is over, these small merchants go back to their respective houses with the unsold, remaining clothes. There they start
remaking these clothes in a new pattern or style as well as manufacturing brand
new clothes. The vast range and variety of this market cater
to all tastes and preferences. This facilitates the
difficult task of selection for even the most fastidious and
choosiest of buyers.
In a nut shell, Mangala Hut is a paradise for low budget customers, where they can purchase all types of colourful and trendy dresses at reasonable
rates.
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