Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Where Night is Day: Karwan Bazar at Night
A Night-walk with TTL Buddies
07 April 2009

Since the last night-walk of 19-20 March I was itching to go for another venture in the dark. Somehow night ventures took control of me and I couldn't help go out with my camera. Didn't have any specific plan about where to go. Avik Bhai joined in and suggested Karwan Bazar. Kamal, Tahmid and Shakil also joined in. The venue for the venture remained the same.

It was a workday. We all had to rush after office. Although we knew that Karwan Bazar wholesale market usually gets busy from just before midnight, we had little option other than going there in the evening hours and coming back before 10:00PM. We had to be satisfied with whatever we could witness.

We gathered there and started our work by around 8:00PM. Karwan Bazar always fascinated a lot of journalists, photographers, social workers, and other people because of its importance. This is the most important wholesale market in Dhaka. Prices of a lot of commodities are controlled from here. This is also an important retail market for the people living around the area. Most of the activities of this place are concentrated at night. So, to do any kind of documentation here, one has to come after dusk.

The place has a contrasting look when considered that the market is by one of the most important commercial districts of Dhaka. Tall and well-furnished buildings tower above the rather shabby-looking market-place. Innumerable number of people depend on this marketplace for their livelihood, making the place important not just from economical point of view, but also from social viewpoint.

Here are some of the glimpses captured during the venture.

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

In total contrast...........
Lifestyle of the people of Karwan Bazar don't really match with the well-furnished towers of the commercial area........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

In the name of religion.........01
A small box for collection of donation for a mosque......... such boxes are quite common not just at Karwan Bazar, but all over the country.........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Marketer...........
There are so many products sold in so many different ways that its difficult to keep track of. Here, a man is trying to market his unique medicines which are said to cure virtually every disease!

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Shoe seller on the street........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Empty prices.........
Government rules on keeping proper record of prevailing prices at marketplaces is not exactly being met....... Consumers are confused and authorities are nowhere with the implementation of the rules...... Prices of essentials had been a big talking point in recent times due to high inflation.........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

"Gurh".......
A portion of the market basically deals with "gurh" (a product made from sugarcane), "chira" (product made from processed rice), "muri" and other dry foods.......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

"Gurer Hashi"!! (Smile of "Gurh")
A young shopkeeper at one of the shops selling "gurh", "chira" and "muri"

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

"Paan-Shupari".........
Betel leaf and betel nut occupy a small part of the market......... as these are part and parcel of our culture, there a high demand for them all throughout the year.....

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Packages..........
Someone has to provide bags for the shoppers...... a big portion of these bags are made from cement packs....... the packs are strong and waterproof, which makes them perfect for such usage..... a nice way of recycling too.......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Just relax..........
Why so hurry??....... there has to be some time when you can relax....... a man rests on a huge pile of rice.......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

A total quagmire!!
A shop of packages made of recycled paper........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Onions..........
A retail shop for onions, ginger, garlic and other dry goods........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

One smelly thing!!
A shop for dried fish ("shutki").......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Hilsha!!
A retail shopkeeper at the fish market displays his hilsha ("ilish") fishes....... this is not the season for hilshas....... the hilshas that would be caught now, would be mostly juveniles (called "jatka" locally)....... every year "jatka" fishing leads to huge loss of fisheries resources........ which is why its illegal to catch small hilshas...... these hilshas on display are pretty rare now, and would cost a lot.......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

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From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

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From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Bargain!!
Fish market is a place for hard bargaining....... with the Bengali New Year drawing near, demand for hilshas is sky-rocketing........ but this is not the time when you can find adult hilshas....... so, the prices hit the ceiling, literally...... and the bargaining goes on.........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

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From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Butcher store.......
At the butcher's store, its a bit quiet...... and so are the goats resting in the darker corners, waiting to be slaughtered.........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Fish processing.........
A lot of the buyers at the fish market want the fishes processed to some extent...... and there are people engaged at this value-addition job.......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Weighing.......
Just like bargaining, weighing is also talking point at the fish market...... buyers have to be on constant alert......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

What the??
Some shoppers are not that confident when they are asked about the differences between their practices and the prevailing laws...........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

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From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Framed!!
They've seen lots of cameras and they love to pose!

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Grocery.........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

A sneaky smile!!
This young shopkeeper at an oil store was working, but the moment he saw cameras, knew how to show up!!

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Through colours..........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

In the name of religion..........02

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Carrot sleep.........
This is a market full of contrasts....... some are having a busy time selling their goods, others are just preparing for the busy hours in the form of sleep.......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Sorting.........
Onion wholesalers are sorting onions under a red light........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Rest............01

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

In the name of religion..........03

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Transaction..........
Most transactions are done in cash........ this is the traditional form of transaction here......

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Rest............02

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

In your dreams...........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Triangle of sleep.........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Onion of red..........
An onion wholesaler takes a breath........

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

Rest............03

From Karwan Bazar at Night, April 2009

In the name of religion..........04