KANGAN in "KANGAN"

KANGAN in "KANGAN"

Enter KANGAN restaurant. Located on 18th floor. In THE WESTIN MUMBAI GARDEN CITY..... that offers delectable and aromatic taste platters to entice and encourage family style dining. Modern, stylish, and elegantly understated with a dash of traditional touches....... And, importantly, collect a KANGAN (bangle) made afresh inside the restaurant.....

Here, the Peshawar traditions are being reinvented. Succulent kebabs, freshly-baked Indian breads, and an eclectic selection of Indian spices that mesmerize guests with the exotic flavors of the region..... Plus the gift...the real Kangan (Bangle).

Now, meet the Bangle maker of KANGAN Restaurant- Shaukat Ali Shishgar(48) who happens to be a fifth generation bangle maker. Remember: Ali has been wedded to the bangle making art for the last 32 years.

"The guests of this restaurant can ask for any number of bangles. I will make the same as per their likings; it can be choice of the color or the design. In five minutes, I can make one bangle" quips Ali, who had been associated with the restaurant since September 2011.

No weekly holiday for him. 7pm to 11pm is his duty timings. He leaves his home at 5.30pm (which is 32 Kms away from the hotel), travels by the train, reaches the restaurant decorously dressed at 6.30pm. The restaurant opens at 7 pm; by that time, he will be ready to make bangles for the guests visiting this restaurant. This distinguished Bangle artist can make bangles in 40 different designs, in 32 different color combinations.

"Regular guests are aplenty", informs Ali, "they will come to me first, they will let me know the size of the Bangle, then they will proceed to their table. Foreign guests show more interest to know more about bangle making".

He makes Bangles made from lac (sealing wax). Lac is clay like material which is moulded in hot kilns-like places to make these bangles. The rareness of the colors and its unique value also impresses the guests of this restaurant.

Ali is very friendly with all the employees of the hotel. He greets every employee with folded hands. When guests bounce questions related to bangle-making, Ali explains to them in Hindi and English.

"Till today, ever since, I have joined here, I have not applied for a leave. I have not fallen sick also. In case, if I can't turn up, I shall request my elder brother Mohd Ali, also a Bangle maker to be in the restaurant" says Shaukat Ali who is married to Sultana, also a bangle maker. Blessed with three children; Mohd.Azhar (23), Jaweria (20) and Mohd.Kashif (15).

His Grandmother, 92 year old Bismillah Kader also lives with him. Even today, she helps Ali in bangle making....By the way, his home happens to be a mini bangle factory.

R Kesava Mallia in Mumbai