In the heart of this 400-year-old city, amidst the endless hustle and bustle you will find a road in Shymoli bursting with colours from the gamchas on display.
This unique market, near SOS Shishupalli is right across from Dhaka Shishu Hospital. These seven-foot-high walls along Mirpur Road are covered with thousands of gamchas, creating a stunning tapestry of reds, blues, greens, yellows, and every shade in between.
The gamcha, a traditional towel used for drying, is displayed in a variety of styles, from single-colour to large-check, small-check, and stripe designs.
The birth of a unique market
This makeshift gamcha market has been a fixture in Shyamoli for the past 14-15 years. Abdur Rahim, a vendor from Chapainawabganj, recalls the market's early days. "I started selling gamchas here in 2012, a few years after the market began. Today, there are seven of us, offering a wide range of designs and colours," he says.
The vendors source their gamchas from wholesale markets in Sirajganj, Pabna, Kushtia, Jhalokathi, and Baburhat of Narsingdi. These supplies are delivered on a weekly basis, with payments made through banks and mobile financial services.
Prices vary according to fabric and size, ranging from Tk50-Tk70 for the simplest designs to around Tk350 for the most elaborate. On average, vendors earn between Tk4,000 and Tk7,000 daily.
Md Ruzel Mia, another vendor, shares that the business has provided much-needed stability. "The income from my little business isn’t much, but it has helped my family feel somewhat secure," he says. The vendors also appreciate the lack of extortion and other hassles, which allows them to focus on their trade.
A diverse customer base
The colourful gamcha wall attracts customers from all walks of life. Busy city dwellers appreciate the convenience of buying gamchas without having to visit a market. Abdur Rahim notes that many small and medium shopkeepers also buy in bulk to save time. The growing popularity of gamcha-made clothes and fatuas has further boosted sales, with dressmakers purchasing large quantities.
The area around Shyamoli is home to numerous government, private, and specialized hospitals. Patients and their companions are a significant part of the customer base.
Additionally, the nearby neighbourhoods of Shyamoli, Mohammadpur, and Kallyanpur are densely populated with students, young professionals who are also regular customers.
Jahirul Islam, a young professional, appreciates the convenience and affordability of the street stores. The street stores make purchasing easier and cheaper than traditional marketplaces, he says.
A group of teenagers was seen buying 15 gamchas for a boat journey to Moinot Ghat of Dohar to see the Padma River.
A burst of colour in the city
Due to increasing demand, the colourful gamcha wall has extended to Shyamoli’s road number 4, near Kallyanpur canal. Locals enjoy the vibrant walls, which have transformed a once-dirty sidewalk into a tidy, colourful space maintained by the vendors.
The gamcha wall of Shyamoli is more than just a market; it is a testament to the enduring charm and cultural significance of this humble textile. Amidst the hectic pace of city life, it offers a burst of colour and a moment of connection to tradition.
