My favourite? Well, all are my favourites. Still, if you insist, I would say it is jasmine. Musk fragrance is also good. Well, you can call me a seller of fragrances. In fact, that is the very reason why I decided to sell attar and perfumes. After all who doesn’t like fragrance? So I was sure that this business would click.
Actually I have been doing different businesses at different points of time. Now, don’t ask me why it happened. Perhaps it was god’s wish. Prior to this, I used to sell readymade garments; before that I was selling footwear. People often ask me if I feel bad about having to change my profession from time to time. Actually, I have no problem about it.
I find happiness in the fact that I have at least some enterprise that helps me earn my bread and butter. I have learnt that it is better to look at the positive side of things.
It’s been five years since I started selling attar and perfumes at this space near the bus stand at East Fort. The attar comes from Kozhikode. I place bulk orders and renew the order once the stock gets over.
You see these big glass bottles? From those bottles, I pour the attar into the small glass bottles that you see here. These small bottles are priced at Rs. 20 each.
There are a lot of takers for jasmine fragrance. Youngsters to middle-aged people buy stuff from here. I often come across artistes in my clientele. How do I know they are artistes? Well, it is from the way they interact with me. I have learnt about attar from other people who are in the business.
I also have body sprays, roll ons and branded perfumes for sale. I buy them from big shops and sell those here.
You might think that with lot of shops selling branded perfumes I am at a disadvantage. But I get my share of customers.
I also sell purses and mobile pouches that I buy from shops in Chala market.
Often wayside shops are looked down upon and people even question the quality of the product. What I want to say is that if the product was bad or adulterated, I wouldn’t have been here for so long.
Also, attar is something that wouldn’t get spoilt and so I have no fear of losing money because the stock is bad.
Rain often plays spoilsport, then I cover the stock with a sheet and take shelter somewhere nearby. I don’t take holidays, unless I am unwell.
Even though Ramzan fast is starting today, I am not taking a break from my job.
I am here from 9.30 a.m. to 7 p.m. If there is any emergency, one of my relatives step in and keep an eye on the sales. Before going home, the stock is kept safely at a friend’s shop nearby.
I stay at Ambalathara with my wife, Noorjahan, and our two children, Thayub and Thanseela, who are both married and well settled.
I chose to do business here because I found it ideal to get maximum customers. However, following the eviction drive in the area, I had to move from here for a few days. But I am back and if they again ask me to leave, I will go.
However, I won’t stop doing this business. I have seen hard times in my life and whatever little I earn means a lot.
(A weekly column on men and women who make Thiruvananthapuram what it is)
