Pakistani serial outfits a big hit this Ramzan

You may drive away Pakistani stall owners from Hyderabad but not the Pakistan connection. Dress material with intricate designs from across the border is a rage this Ramzan season. Women especially in the Old City are raving about the cloth material.

Delhi based small-time businessmen have landed in Hyderabad to cash in on the craze for Pakistani costumes and dress materials. Mohammed Qasim Umar from Delhi, says, “We know that a lot of Hyderabadis watch Pakistani serials and so we thought of putting up a shop here.”

The material is imported from Karachi, Lahore and Bahwalpur. Available in pastel shades, the tarkashi material has handwork on it. Another popular material that is popular among the older women is the Gota Pati material.“Handwork on chiffon material is a speciality,” adds a worker.

Zeenat, a 20-something, asks the shopkeeper if she can get a tarkashi sadi that an actor in Zindagi Channel wears. Pakistani sarees and salwar suits worn in the serials aired in Zindagi channel are most sought after this Ramzan. Among the different materials, the tarkashi sadi is popular.

Qasim says, “It is also called Benazir sadi as the former Prime Minister of Pakistan was the first one to popularise the material when she wore the salwar suits made of the material.” “This is the first time that we have put up a stall in Hyderabad. We have brought Rs 10 lakh worth material.

The response has been good so far.” The dress material ranges from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500. Fatima, a resident of Purani Haveli, said, “The rates are reasonable and this material is available in India but the handwork is unique and most of the Pakistan actors wear them in serials. That makes it special.”

By:T P Venu