Mumbai’s Special Things to Buy - Shopping
Bombay Special Things to Buy - Shopping
As in most places one visits, the things to buy while in Mumbai are the local handicrafts. There isn’t much technical wizardry to look at, but Indian handicrafts - especially the stuff on display in Mumbai - are arguably the best one can find anywhere in the world. Among the things that are a ‘must buy’ when in Mumbai include:
CARPETS
Carpets from Kashmir, Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh and parts of Andhra Pradesh are very famous. They are among the best carpets you can buy anywhere in the world - positively superior to most Persian Carpets you will come across. However, theKashmiri Carpets are rather expensive, unlike the Tibetan carpets from Lodakh and Himachal Pradesh which are very good and comparatively inexpensive.
PAPIER MACHE
Papier mache work is found in Kashmir. Depending upon the complexity of the design - an article can cost anywhere between Rs.lOOto Rs.7000
POTTERY
Basically, the pottery business thrives in Gujarat and Rajasthan in its most traditional forms. In Bihartoo, one is likely to find good pots. Pots can also be purchased relatively cheap at Dharavi for those not wanting to look around too much. However the best and most articulate pots remain in Rajasthan.
LEATHER GOODS
India is responsible for most of the Harley-Davidson bikers’ get-ups
Most of the leather jackets over the world come out of India. You
can pick up a leather jackets ridiculously cheap in comparison to prices abroad. Chappals and shoes are available everywhere Good jackets (and cheap too) be found in Mumbai, in Dharavi - famed as the largest slum colors, in the world. The leather is good and if you take along someone who knows the place, you could pick up a very good deal on jacks and shoes. Most of the leather here is Buffalo hide.
METAL WORK
You can buy virtually anything when it comes to metal work in India Most people go back with bagfuls ofashtrays, hookah pipes, jeweler boxes, lamp vases and anything you can think of. Certain unwittinc tourists actually go back carrying cow-bells sold to them as works of Art. Though Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan are the main centres for bras:
works and Andhra Pradesh comes up with some good ‘bidhri’, are interesting place for some browsing about for metal works is Mumbai’: ‘Chor bazaar’ (Thieves Market).
JEWELLERY
India has positively the most ornate jewellery to be found anywhere in the world. Unlike the west, the jewellery is chunky and far from understated. The necklaces, rings, earrings, nose-rings and bangles are all perfectly designed to catch attention. Regardless of whether or not you pick up some gold jewellery not you pick up some gold lewellery in India, do take back some imitation or oxidised jewellery work. They are typical of rural Indian culture; designs are very good looking and unique.
CLOTHES
Kurta Pyjamas: These are undoubtedly most comfortable things to relax in. These are also typical of India -the Indian version of the shirt- worn according to style for different occasions. A silk kurta is considered very natty and stylish.
