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Unfolding magic of Pakistani nazaqat
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Breaking all barriers, Mohammed Iqbal travelled all the way from Karachi to be amidst strangers who are as amicable as he has been to them, says HARJEET KAUR ALLAGH
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What could not be imagined in the past 55 years- bringing the two countries closer, seems possible now IQBAL
AWAY FROM HOME The Pathan is happy to be amidst friendly strangers PHOTO: RAJU. V
Standing tall with a height of over six feet, the amicable Pathan is charm personified. Doing what he is best at— luring customers with the onyx artefacts, salt lamps, melamine and micro wave friendly dinner sets, traditional jootis and spice powders to enrich the culinary prowess of Indian gourmet cooks, he is loving every bit of it. Mohammed Iqbal from Karachi flashes a familiar smile at people passing by his stall put up at Swaraj Maidan as part of the on-going 32nd All India Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition.
The annual event that attracts traders and artisans from across the country has, this time around, brought a Pathan from across the Indian border. Iqbal's stall is one of the star attractions of the exhibition. He has visited many other cities in India thanks to the Governments of the two countries who threw open the borders.
Skilfully crafted
Iqbal mainly trades in onyx, which is an expensive stone mined only in Baluchistan, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. He has been in the business for the last 13 years. All the pieces of onyx have been skilfully crafted and manufactured in Karachi. The smooth vases, pedestals and centre tables are machine-made with precision, while the animal forms are meticulously sculpted.
The various images created with onyx in his stall include table clocks in the shape of an eagle, fish, a leaf, an umbrella and a heart shape. Animals and birds like elephants, tigers, panthers, frogs, tortoise and beautiful swans and pots and vases have a glossy pearl finish to them.
Even the Nandi that Siva rides on has been carved in Karachi and brought here to meet popular demand in the south. The price range of the artefacts begins at Rs. 50 and touches Rs. 2.5 lakh. Each of the two gigantic flowerpots at the entrance weighs nearly four hundred kilograms.
The Pakistani offers unique salt herbal lamps with therapeutic qualities. Made of naturally found rock salt, the lamps once lit spread a soothing effect. Besides being ornamental and colourful, their impact helps cleans impurities in human blood. It is particularly recommended for people suffering from stress, depression, blood pressure, fever and asthma. The rays emitted from the lamp leave a soothing impact on the eyes.
Sense of humour
If the unbreakable crockery is microwave friendly and priced reasonably, the traditional Pakistani masalas can spice up any delicacy.
Jahnamaaz or a tiny rug, used to kneel down on while praying, is weaved exquisitely with an image of Makkah on it. Buyers of the rugs get a string of prayer beads free.
"I am the proud father of two sons and a daughter but I have only one wife," he chuckles. Though language is a barrier, the strong emotions and the warmth overcomes it all. Refusing to be a pessimist, Iqbal talks of the light at the end of the tunnel. "What could not be imagined in the past 55 years- bringing people of the two countries closer, seems possible now," he says expressing hope.
People of both the countries have similar ethnic backgrounds and they can become a force to reckon with if united, he feels. "Animosity between the two governments notwithstanding, the heart of a common man in Pakistan is full of warmth for his Indian brethren," he says emotionally.
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Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Madurai
Mangalore
Pondicherry
Tiruchirapalli
Thiruvananthapuram
Vijayawada
Visakhapatnam
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