by Geeta Dharmarajan *
provided by OPENAIR-MARKET NET
Bright bangles and kumkums
in little mountains,
and fresh from the village
are jasmines, pumpkins.
Skirts, blouses, kameezes
that stay in your dream,
in red,mauve and yellow
magenta and green.
Rat traps and bird cages
and beggars on wheels
men, women and hawkers
who shout out their deals.
Kites,puppies and voices
a world upside down,
Oh, you must know this market
in your little town!
(c) Geeta Dharmarajan, 1994.
"This poem was written during one of my visits to Hyderabad. The name of the market is the name of the poem: Koti Bazaar. It was first published in TAMASHA! a health and environment magazine for first-generation school-goers and children from non-literate families."
* Geeta Dharmarajan is the founder and director of KATHA. KATHA is a registered nonprofit society devoted to creative communication for development. Some of the main objectives of KATHA are -- to spread the joy of reading and the love of books amongst adults and children; -- to strive to break down gender, cultural and social stereotypes; and -- to help children and women become self-reliant, confident and creative.
Geeta Dharmarajan, Director of KATHA, Building Centre, Sarai Kale Khan, New Delhi 110 013. INDIA
Phone: 4628227; 4644031 Facsimile: 4643998. E-mail: DELAAB05@giasdl01.vsnl.net.in
KUMKUM: A powder, usually made of turmeric and other herbal
ingredients that women use to decorate their foreheads. Kumkum is usually
red in colour.
JASMINE: A white, sweet-smelling flower, popularly worn by women on their
plaited braids/hair knots.
KAMEEZ: The top part of the salwar-kameez, a popular dress for women.
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