The brighter, the better...

Bangles are perfect options to bring colour to one's life.

A cultural ritual that I think almost every Pakistani girl will remember from her growing-up years is that of going to the bangle shop to pick up something that will complement her dresses — a ritual that is part of the preparations for the major festivals of Eid, weddings and other celebrations. It is an enjoyable ritual.

Once in the bangle shop, one can't help but be mesmerised by the shining stacks of pulsating colours shimmering and twinkling from all angles and corners of the little room. Often the single naked bulb that hangs from the ceiling will make the little stacks glow almost magically. The dazzlingly reflected colours of the bangles in their semi-wrapped tissues and simple cardboard boxes leave a lasting impression on almost every customer.

The variety is astounding — glass and gold plated bangles, metallic bangles, bangles with tussles, extravagant bangle sets embedded with ribbons, beads, sequins and even tiny jhumkas (dangling ear rings). Bangle sets also contain karas, which are thicker and are worn interspersed with the bangles.

Each set embodies a little universe of exploding colour — a pleasure to carry on one's wrist and one that is both affordable and enough to indulge a Pakistani woman's love for bright hues.

This is not only a part of her culture but also her social privilege.

Bangles are used as accessories to enhance both traditional and contemporary fashion and they also make an attractive gift.

Most Pakistani girls own a range of coloured bangles that are stored on specially crafted wooden stands. Of course kaanch ki choorian (glass bangles) are the most common and inexpensive variety of adornment in a country where the art of jewellery dates back to 4000 BC.

The heart of the bangle industry is located in the southern city of Hyderabad in an area known as Choori Para where skilled labourers settled at the time of the Partition. Thanks to the hard work and determination of these early migrants the industry has developed into the largest bangle industry in the world.

From giving the initial design for a bangle to creating the final product, all aspects are performed by the workers here.

There are a number of factories on the outskirts of the city where the bangles are made. The bangles are later transported from here to the workers' houses in Choori Para where entire families engage in the task of lining the edges of the bangles using a kerosene burner. The designing and printing process follows after which the bangles are ready for sale.

For adults, these delicate glass bangles that represent a coloured universe, remain a gift or a possession to cherish. But for the little girls who look forward to their trips to the bangle store, the glass bangle is more than just a gift — it's a perennial source of pleasure and pride.