NewZNew (Chandigarh) : ‘Theka Khushiyaan Da’: This statement welcomes you at the entrance of ‘Urban Theka’, which occupies its pride of place on Elante Mall’s second floor. In the middle of swanky but monotonous International stores, this place pops up as a refreshing change. The store is equivalent to visiting a ‘Mini Punjab’, with the vibrant state’s traditional & modern culture assimilated at one place. A media preview of the concept outlet was held at Elante Mall, which also signalled its formal opening.
“We are happy to announce our opening to coincide with ‘Baisakhi’ — Punjab’s colourful festival. The happiness surrounding ‘Baisakhi’ goes well with the theme of ‘Urban Theka’.” Says I P Singh, the Entrepreneur, who along with his dynamic wife, Sunny Thakral, has painstakingly put together the concept. Adds Singh,“You get a feel of rural Punjab. One can see beautifully chiselled figurines of Punjabi women ‘churning butter’ using ‘madhaani’, ladies using ‘Charkha’ etc. The store also takes you to the times of ‘Bhai Kanhaiya’, a Sikh Sevadar, who served water to the Mughal enemies injured in the war against Sikhs. Don’t miss the figurines & busts of personalities like ‘Mai Bhago’, ‘Banda Bahadur’, a life size statue of ‘Maharaja Ranjit Singh’ & many more.”
The very look of the store is traditional & funky at the same time. Props like Marbles (called ‘Bantey’ in Punjabi), ‘Gulli Danda’,’Gulail’ serve as a sweet reminder of the olden days. There is ‘Dhol’, ‘Sapp’, ‘Chimta’, lest you forget how Punabi folk instruments look like. “We have curated the outlet with unique pieces with etching of classic Punjabi humour. The truck miniatures have authentic looks with deliberately misspelt & funny one-liners painted at the back like ‘Buri Nazar waaley tennu dekh lawaangey’, ‘Use Diaper at Night’. You will love the quirky Beer Mugs that say things like: ‘Talli nai hundey; Awesome ho jaaida’ & “Drink Responsibly – means ‘Dullann na Deyo’” et al.” Says Sunny.
T-shirts with quotes are just full on Punjabi fun. Some Tees for men say ‘Keep Calm and deyi jaa muchchaan noo vatt ‘, ‘Dheeth by nature’. The girls can have a pick from those that say ‘Majajjan, ‘Kaur- the Princess of God’ etc. For Health Freaks, there’s the ‘Installing Muscles – Bass Vekhi Chall’ T Shirt. The statement outside the try room says – ‘Try Maar Lai’. Just when one thought that the humour was ending one sees a Car Sticker ‘Caution – Peg Lagga’ for the backscreen. Coasters are no less: ‘Aao Bhaino Chugli Kariye’ takes the cake.
There are classy Punjabi accessories & traditional garments. The Desi Hangover Juttis are irresistible. There are some really nice handmade ‘Phulkari dupattas’. For Sikhs, there are pre-stitched turbans in pre-cut standard sizes in Full Voile – Colours like Vivid Tangerine, Pine Green Aqua Blue are attractive. Then there’s a range of ‘Dabbi waala Parnas’.
It’s not easy to create a shopping destination that is also a ‘Tourist Destination’ – and this has been achieved well by ‘Urban Theka’. So next time you want to bring your kid abreast with Punjabi culture you know where to go.
