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Hyderabad
is synonymous with pearls. Cultured pearls studded in gold and silver jewellery
of exquisite design are specialty. Pearls and diamonds are
what the nobles in the mediaeval times sought here. The famed Kohinoor
was mined in these lands and it now adorns the British Crown. Laad Bazar
near Charminar is the heart of old Hyderabad, and where you'll find Hyderabadi specialties
such as pearls, glass and jewellery. An interesting market market
closer to Abids is sultan Bazaar at the end of Mahipatram Rd. Cultured
pearls in the strings or set in jewellery is still a flourishing industry that
employs a large number of craftsman.
Bidriware - Hyderabad is also famous for
Bidriware, derives its beauty from the contrast created by the inlaid
metal-gold silver or brass against the black background.
Originating from Bidar, this art achieved perfection in Hyderabad. The design is
inlaid by hammering in strands of wire in engraved grooves in linear design or
pieces of chiseled out pattern in metal are inserted in exact cut out surface
and then hammered in. Later, a permanent black color is imparted to the alloy
surface by chemical process which leaves the inlaid designs brilliant and
unaffected.
 Pearls - Hyderabad’s chief claim to international
fame rests on two things, the Charminar and the pearl market. Both the Qutb
Shahi rulers and the Nizams loved pearls and diamonds. They patronized this
trade in a big way. The Asaf Jahi Nizams not only wore ropes of pearls studded
with diamonds as part of state regalia but also used paste for crushed pearls as
beauty aids. The princesses were covered with pearls and weighed against pearls
on their birthdays. Osman Ali, the richest of the Nizams stored pearls and
diamonds in sacks in basement chambers. At one time pearls were imported from
Basra; now Japan is the chief supplier of raw material. The flourishing trade in
pearls at Hyderabad attracts tourist and connoisseur alike.
Kat Saris - For women, Hyderabad holds yet another
shopping opportunity— those irresistible late saris in striking colors. The
patterning is done by resist-dyeing or tie-dyeing the yarn before it is put on
the loom for weaving. It requires precise measurement of designs and
patterns-birds animals or diamonds cut motifs. The other popular variety of
saris is from Siddipet, Dharmavaram, Narayanpet and Gadwal. These forms of
weaving require experience since patterns are created by changing the color of
the yarn during weaving and by elaborate forms of placement of the warp and weft
for creating different motifs. Also typical of the state is Kalmakari—the hand
painted fabric, and Nirmal painting, using dyes to create memorable scenes from
the Mahabharat and the Ramayana.
Main
Shopping areas : Abids Basheerbagh, Nampally and Sultan Bazar in Hyderabad;
MG Road and Rashtrpati Road in Secunderabad. The markets around Charminar are
favoured for bangles and pearls. Pochampali sarees
and fabrics, hand woven in silks and cottons are some of the other
handicrafts and perfumes that have made Hyderabad a shopper's delight. The best place to buy arts & crafts from all over
India is Kalanjali on Nampally high Rd.
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