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In Photos: The Winding Bylanes of Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar

In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 

Maanvi
Published: 
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2 min read
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An old postcard sent in 1936 to Mr Roy in London, describing a maiden trip to Germany. The scratched, hurried handwriting on its yellowed paper – a witness to historical moments and some quiet personal milestones.

A decrepit, old radio sitting at the edge of a crammed shelf, in an overflowing antique shop. Its rigid design is almost a reminder of the disciplined yet enjoyable evenings in a drawing room echoing with music and laughter.

In Mutton Street in Mumbai, popularly known as Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. If you look beyond and care to listen, they are excellent storytellers. Remnants of fulfilling lives lived, symbols of forgotten loves and mementos of celebrations that have long ceased.

Are you listening?

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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
Chor Bazaar was originally called Shor Bazaar, since it was so noisy. But ‘shor’ became ‘chor’ because of how the British mispronounced the word. Eventually, stolen goods started finding their way into the market. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
The bazaar is a heaven for those hunting for old Hindi film posters. Popular or obscure; miniature or life sized. Just brush up your bargaining skills. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
Even now, it has a reputation which precedes it, as was apparent by the autorickshaw driver who overcharged us to and from Grant Road, when I visited the market. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
My first impression of Chor Bazaar was chaos. Otherworldly chaos, transporting any visitor into an older time. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
With antique musical instruments, old telephones and knick knacks of every type, one would think the shopkeepers would be unable to keep track. But they have an unerring memory of every object in their shop. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
When I went to Chor Bazaar on a sweltering afternoon in May, it was a quiet day, with few people. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
In almost every shop, there are piles of postcards and old letters which are kept to be sold. “Who buys these?” I ask the shopkeeper. “People do. Some for films, some for art projects and some for just pastime.” (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
An old saying about the market goes, if you have lost something, you will find it again in the winding lanes of Chor Bazaar. On my visit, it seemed if you can’t find what you’re looking for in Chor Bazaar, you can’t find it anywhere. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
If you steadfastly believe that you’re an old soul, or were born in the wrong decade, then Chor Bazaar is your ideal destination. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)
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In Chor Bazaar, multiple decades exist together and things aren’t just physical objects. They are storytellers. 
A large scale beautification project was announced by the Dawoodi Bohra Muslim Trust in October 2015 for the market. (Photo: The Quint/Maanvi)

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