Vidushi Gaur/New Delhi

Under the soft glow of twilight, Iqbal Hussain's bangle shop is teeming with women. Iqbal’s stall is a makeshift structure, draped in vibrant fabrics and surrounded by an array of glittering bangles.

Rows of these glass Bengals treasures, in every shade imaginable, crimson, emerald, gold, line the wooden shelves. Each bangle seems to hold a sparkle and hue of its own, catching the light as if infused with the prayers of the women who wear them.

Stack of bangles in a shop outside Hanuman Mandir, Connaught Place

Nestled near the grand Hanuman Mandir in New Delhi’s fashionable Connaught Place, the shop tells a quiet story of harmony, resilience, and unity.

Iqbal Hussain and his family have sold delicate, hand-crafted bangles for over 40 years at the same place. They serve women who flock to the temple of Lord Hanuman on all days. However, pre-Diwali is the busiest time for him as every woman in the town wants to wear glass Bengal, which is a must for women in many north Indian communities.

After spending some time there and seeing Iqbal interacting with his customers and helping them select the size, colour, and type of bangles for some time, I realized it’s not just business; it is a symbol of human unity and shared joy.

Iqbal is a third-generation bangle seller; he inherited expertise in understanding the dynamics of the bangle market from his forefathers had migrated from Firozabad, the heartland of India’s bangle artisans and a bangle manufacturing hub.

Bangle shop owner, Iqbal Hussain, outside Hanuman Mandir, Connaught Place

His hands worn from years of meticulous work, carefully sorted through the piles of bangles, each one a testament to the artistry passed down through generations.

His wife, Nazia Hussain, sits beside him, especially during the festive season and on days when there are too many customers around. She welcomes women clients with a warm smile and gentle demeanour.

She has vivid memories of her initial days in the shop, “When I was expecting our first child, a regular Hindu customer who saw my condition, came forward and offered blessings for my baby”.

Having come from a small town, Nazia felt emotional at the woman’s gesture. No wonder she holds that moment close to her heart. "It felt like family," she said. "In those moments, we weren’t different. Festivals like Diwali and Eid become shared celebrations, where we exchange not just goods but goodwill."

Iqbal and Nazia have just been through their busiest time during the Karwa Chauth festival. Wearing colourful glass Bangles is a tradition and a fashion among all Indian women but on this festival, Hindu women in particular buy a set of new glass or at times metal bangles.

Stack of bangles in a shop outside Hanuman Mandir, Connaught Place

The couple works hard to put their best foot forward through their massive collection and help clients make a choice and recommend a perfect size for each woman.

As Diwali, the festival of light celebrated across India, approaches, the atmosphere near Hanuman Mandir is akin to a sea of colour and light. The streets are full of people preparing for the festival—cleaning their homes, buying sweets, and, of course, selecting bangles to match their vibrant sarees and suits they intend to wear on the day.

Iqbal's shop has turned into a hub of activity. His skilled hands move swiftly, arranging new bangle sets, often working late into the night to meet the high demand. The air smells of incense and marigolds, and the women who frequent his stall chat and laugh as they try on bangles, each snap of a bangle sliding onto their wrist marking the beginning of a new story.

Iqbal never once feels out of place, despite being a Muslim artisan in the shadow of a grand Hindu temple. “Bangles are more than just jewellery, they symbolize marriage, prosperity, and blessings. “We’ve been here so long that these people aren’t just customers, they are part of our lives.” His deep, gravelly voice reflects years of experience. However, it’s tinged with softness when he talks about the relationships they’ve built.

He remembers how, during times of unrest in Delhi, the temple priests and devotees reassured him of their protection. “We never felt unsafe,” Iqbal recalls. “The people here stood by us. It’s more than business, it’s trust, it’s friendship.”

Shalini, a regular visitor to the temple, has been buying bangles from Iqbal for over a decade. “They have always been here, just like the temple itself, they are a part of the fabric of this place. I trust them to give me the best, and they trust us too.” Her voice carries a quiet pride in this long-standing relationship.

A regular customer, Shalini showed her bangles at bangle market

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The bangles Iqbal sells are simple yet beautiful. They are symbols not just of the women who wear them, but of a shared history of women in North India. Amid the flickering Diwali lamps, the laughter of customers, and the unspoken understanding between people of different backgrounds, Iqbal and Nazia’s bangle stall quietly continues its legacy.