Tuesday, August 5, 2014

A Couple of Markets and a 50mm Lens



I love markets. I simply love the seas of produce, the little shops, the big shops, the same old things and the sudden treasures, the shop keepers, the hustle and bustle, the energy of shoppers and sellers, the mess, the crowds, the cats, the crows... everything! The one thing I miss in Kharghar is a good market. Sure, we get most things in the various supermarkets and now, online, but I yearn for a market to wander around in.

As a kid I used to go to the market practically every weekend with my parents. Khar market was where we went and I still have many memories of our weekly visits, especially the singara and jilipi from Brijwasi :)

In Pune Shivaji Market and Tulshi Baag were my favourite haunts. After getting married and moving to VT in Mumbai there was Bora Bajaar just a few minutes from our house and there was the mother lode - Crawford Market, just a short cab ride away. I have spent many happy hours wandering through these markets, discovering lanes selling everything from umbrellas to buttons, snacks to utensils, and brooms to brinjals. Those were wonderful days indeed.

Kolkata still has many big markets in spite of the Spencers and Big Bazaars that have mushroomed all over. A visit to Gariahat market has now become a must do, and this time I also had a wander around Lake Market. The markets are a great place for any photography enthusiast and I took my camera along. I'm still getting used to the 50mm lens and what better way to practice than take tons of pictures in the markets?!

So here are some photos from my sojourns into Gariahat and Lake markets.    


A giant Rohu in Gariahat Market


The same rohu cut and set up for sale. This fish was massive and the cheeky fishmonger was shouting "horin'er mangsho! horin'er mangsho!" (venison! venison!)


More regular sized rohu in the market



The fish stalls are all decorated with buntings and have shrines with fresh flowers, adding so much colour to the general ambience.


At present it's full on Hilsa season and the markets are full of this prized fish.


Fresh water prawns.. each is about 6 to 8 inches long


The massive 'ansh-bonti' that is used to cut up the bigger fish.


Hilsa and some really large prawns at the Lake Market


More prawns and Hilsa at Lake Market


There is a shop in Lake market that sells on bori. He had boris made of different daals and he also had posto bori, which I didn't even know existed! Of course I bought some :)

Gariahat market has many shops selling Puja related paraphernalia. You also get the required things for weddings and other rituals and ceremonies.


Alta, Sindur, Dhoop and Jabakusum tel



Chaand malas - used to decorate the shrine in the house.


Wooden plates known as barkosh, straw mats, chaki for rolling rotis and puris, and a bucket of belans, spoons, etc.


Small stone glasses, mini plates, and bowls, mainly used in the puja rituals. A food blogger's heaven for props!



Marathon Bloggers Project 52

6 comments:

Shanti said...

Love the photos Rhea!

Tarika Singh said...

Love this post, Rhea :)

Unknown said...

So true. Even I am mostly seen in the weekly markets in the villages.

Kurush F Dalal said...

I feel so proud of the way you are using that 50mm :)

Sassy Fork said...

Terrific!! and I love the "horiner mangsho" bit :D

Anonymous said...

I Love to go around in crawford market too. With all the crowd, sudden pulls etc. And last but not least, Im in love with your blog. A fab place. -Cheers , Vanita