As Ramzan festival is fast approaching, the sale of surma ( kohl ) has also picked up in the city for the last few days.
Sellers of items required for the festival like attar (perfume), kohl, traditional caps and rosaries are making a brisk business as many devout have already begun Eid shopping.
Small surma bottles measuring between one gram and 10 grams are sold at different shops in the lanes and bylanes of Samarangam Chowk and Panja Centre in One Town. SK Agarbathi Merchants Owner Shaik Abdul Kareem says the cost ranges between Rs.10 and Rs.60 per bottle. “Applying surma has religious importance, besides it not only gives protection to eyes but also removes dirt from them. It also prevents formation of cataract in eyes and gives protection from excessive heat conditions,” he explains.
Some traders prepare the product at their houses using surma stone, ‘pacha karpooram’ (camphor) and other ingredients. Mint is also used in small quantity to get the cooling effect, says Mr. Kareem. However, a majority of shopkeepers from Vijayawada are bringing the stock to wholesale market from the busy lanes of old city in Hyderabad.
Hyderabad’s Shah Perfumes and Gems Owner Syed Abdul Quadri says shopkeepers from Vijayawada, Nellore, Kadapa and other districts visit the old city during Ramzan month and purchase surma, perfume and other items and sell them at their natives places.
“We usually register 70 per cent increase in sales during the festival season as traders and customers from far off places throng the city for shopping,” says Quadri. Thirty per cent out of the total clientele are from Andhra region. “We sell surma brought from Pakistan and Egypt costing Rs.60 for 4.50 grams,” he says, adding that the patronage from Andhra region is good even after bifurcation of the State.
