Poets of the streets!

Dhaka is a city of sounds and surprises, a city where sounds startle people, and surprises wake them up to a strange new world every day.

But it was a different story on Green Road this scorching Tuesday afternoon. This busy street of the capital city offered a relief and a bit of fun to the passers-by. The street vendor Mohammad Sikendar Ali and his partner Mohammad Jabed Ali turned the tired walkways into a mini-theatre with the lilting lyrics, advertising their ware. The steady rhythm of their voices and the catchy verses drew in the crowds within minutes.

Rather than their goods, it was the innovative manner of marketing that attracted the pedestrians and compelled them to at least look at what was being sold.

The 'Ali brothers' were singing and dancing to the beat of their castanets, locally known as kartals.

It is the old tradition for hawkers to sing and sell their ware in village markets. This was something different. This was poetic!

They can instantly make the lyrics. The lyrics, according to the Sikendar Ali, are his own creation.

People have to pause on the street and enjoy their performance. They asked about the items on sale and some even bought a few.

This enterprising duo was selling bracelets which they claimed possessed healing powers. A black bracelet costs only Tk 10.

Speaking to this reporter, Zabed Ali said he has been working for two years in this profession.

Mohammad Sikendar Ali, who is popularly known as mama (uncle), said he has been selling these healing bracelets with his bhagina (nephew), Zabed, for more than a decade. 

Sharing his experiences, Sikendar, lives the city ’s Hazaribag area, said it took nearly half a decade to master this vending style.

“It’s not easy. I’ve spent five years to master the lyrical phases with this distinct style,” said Sikendar.

Sikendar has at least five ‘disciples’ in the Dhaka who are doing the same business with other ‘mamas’.