Ironically,this glitzy market---Chor Bazar (literally meaning Thief's Market) is located in one of the most squalid areas in the city. Mutton Street is the name officially given because it was here that butchers, more than 100 years ago, set up shops. But to any taxi-driver its just plain Chor Bazar! Imagine asking one to drive you to Hutatma Chowk---it has always been Flora Fountain!
At one time Chor Bazar traders specialised in dealing in only stolen goods.The popular belief even today is that here you can end up buying spares from your own car!Nevertheless the devil must be given its due: even the fakes seem so original, it is difficult to tell them apart.You can buy furniture for a huge house,assemble a car or an air-conditioner, acquire beautiful antiques and chinaware.
The dealers travel all over the country to collect these special items from old palaces or ex-Maharajahs.Though they are mostly illiterate, years of experience has taught them how to check and accurately price an item.
Essentially there are 3 kinds of buyers: the collector for whom money is no consideartion, the investor who buys an item keeping in mind its market value and the last---one who buys for personal pleasure. It is he who will keep the charm of Chor Bazar going!
And thats not all, you can buy genuine leather goods, silverware,copperware and gold jewellery. There's Bhuleshwar known for its bangles and Mirchi Gulli for its fresh spices.Every kind of chillis is available here and after the palate has been sated you can make room for pillow-talk because there is a pillow corner where you can pick your pillows and mattresses or have them made to order!
And thats not all, you can buy genuine leather goods, silverware,copperware and gold jewellery. There's Bhuleshwar known for its bangles and Mirchi Gulli for its fresh spices.Every kind of chillis is available here and after the palate has been sated you can make room for pillow-talk because there is a pillow corner where you can pick your pillows and mattresses or have them made to order!
Not to forget that Bollywood also sources its "antiques" for period films and old era timeline films from Chor Bazar.The latest shopper touted in the grapevine was Aamir Khan for Raj Kumar Hiranis latest film PK and the prized item w a radio.
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