Home ›› 17 Feb 2023 ›› Back
A popular makeshift handicraft marketplace, situated in front of the Mausoleum of Three Leaders near Doel Chattar, is considered to be an ideal place for anyone searching for an affordable and all-in-one place to buy gifts, home decoration pieces or handicraft items.
Established in front of the Curzon Hall more than two eras ago, serving as the country’s biggest handicraft market, is now in dire need of a permanent marketplace to restore sales after the Covid-19 pandemic and relocation due to Metrorail construction.
Semi-floating shops in the market lack space and proper decoration facilities as the main market has been relocated here after the Metrorail construction started and the authorities promised to provide a permanent place for the market.
People can find various earthenware, cradles, terracotta, ornaments, pots and pans, mirrors, pitchers, vases, outdoor toys, earthenware cups, plates, bowls, earthenware fruits, bangles, bamboo bowls, cane and wooden showpieces, jute products, dolls, handbags, side bags, various showpieces made of leaves and coconut shells.
Mohammad Mofizul Islam has been running business here for 14 years. He makes lamps in his workshop in Konapara, Demra. He also sells small and big handicrafts. Previously, he had to buy some Chinese items, but he can now make or source them from local craftsmen.
He said, “It is the only place in our country where you can get so many hand-crafted items at a cheaper price. But we are not able to expand our shops due to space shortage.”
Kolina Banu, a housewife from Uttara, came to the market to buy decorative mirrors as a gift for her niece’s wedding. Mirrors in this market can go from 350 to 3000 TK with handcrafted frames.
“Price here is reasonable. I bought some other items from here to make a gift package for the wedding,” she said.
There are 39 shops in the market under Dhaka Metropolitan Pottery Traders Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, and more than 500 people are directly involved with this market. These shops source products from all over the country.
The market used to have spacious shops when it was in front of Curzon Hall, and could display more products. Three years ago, they relocated in front of the Mausoleum of Three Leaders temporarily.
Md Shorif sells flower vases and decorative artificial flowers. His shop has been here for 25 years. He sells both clay vases and mirror-decorated vases. He had to stack the vases due to a shortage of space.
“Running a business at the same place over the years increases familiarity and people’s trust. We need a permanent market near the Doel Chattar to run our business,” he said.
Clay vases in his shops can go from Tk 350 to Tk 1,500, whereas mirror-decorated vases can go up to Tk 3,500.
Rina Sen, a student from Dhanmondi Ideal College, came to buy gifts for her friend. “I first came here with my parents. I like handicrafts as these are part of our culture and environmentally sustainable,” she said.
Shopon set up his shop around 15 days ago. He sources his products from Chawk Bazar. Handmade ornaments, side bags and handbags are the main products in his shops. He is satisfied with the sale in this market.
“In the current economic situation, we can only hope to earn our bread. We are happy to see the smile of our satisfied buyers.”
Most shops have earthenware and clay products with unique designs. Potter Shukkur Ali said he has been doing business here since the beginning of the market. He makes some products by himself and sources other goods from Cumilla and Bauphal of Patuakhali.
Earthen products sell for between Tk 50 to Tk 1,000. Utensils, wall hangings and other decorative pieces are in high demand in recent times.
Monir has been taking care of his Father’s business which was established in 1986. He mostly sells catkin and cane products sourced from all over the country. He thinks affordability and good quality are the key selling points here.
Sahed Rezwan came to buy a swing for his wife. Swings sold here are made of jute, natural fibre and cane. Sahed wants to decorate his new home with a traditional Bengali touch. After visiting some shops, he finally was able to buy a swing for Tk 2,200.
“There are only a few places where you will be able to buy handmade local products that connect us with our culture. Doel Chattar is one of them. But the market needs redecoration, and some more space,” he said.
Cane and wooden items include showpieces, puppets, side-bags, wall hangers and standing lamps. A variety of showpieces are made of coconut shells.
There are also thousands of traditional Bangladeshi products available here, including carved palm leaf fans, bamboo flutes, jute carpets, twigs, birds, boats, ektara, dugdugi, dhol, snake harp, beaded garlands, and masks.
Before the pandemic, foreigners used to come here, as traders also sell many traditional items made from jute, coconut shell, and clay. According to sellers, the current global economic situation is responsible for the reduced number of tourists visiting this marketplace.
Sirazul Islam has been selling products from both his workshop and other local artisans for sixteen years. Bangles are the hot-selling products in his shops. The pandemic and relocation of the market has already affected his business.
Now due to the inflation, sales are not increasing in his shop.
At least 300 staff work in the market and many of them do artisanal work as well. Tarikul Islam from Barishal is one of them. He has been working in the market for twelve years. He came here as a child. Now he has a family of his own.
“I like working here. I also plan to set up my own shop when the market gets a permanent place,” he said.
People flock to shop here during the holidays and other occasions. In winter, gift items sell the most. But despite the popularity, sellers are not able to run their business smoothly in the current temporary market.
Md Nizam Uddin, general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan Pottery Traders Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd, has been trying to get the authorities’ permission to establish a market inside the artistry circle anywhere between the Charukola Institute to Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
Their main choice was near Doel Chattar.
“The authorities had promised us a place for a permanent market. In this current economic situation, sellers are in dire straits with another 5,000 people involved in the profession. I hope that the authorities will keep their promise to preserve our handicraft industry,” he said.
Folk art is intertwined with the roots of the people of Bengal. These shops in Doel Chattar of Dhaka University are helping to promote and spread the country’s tradition and culture.
To add beauty to civil life and to protect the country’s heritage, proper promotion and patronage is a must.
