Syed Nissar H Gilani
The sight of “Dress Corner” instantly transports me back to our golden youth—the years between my college days in 1963 and my postgraduate studies in 1970. In those days, branded men’s wear was a rarity, and the few quality outlets available were considered the height of luxury. Srinagar was a city defined by its “corners,” each a landmark for a different reason.
There was Book Corner, situated near the prestigious S.P. College and the much-sought-after Government College for Women on M.A. Road. My friends—Saleem, Rauf Fazili, Syed Ahamed, and the late Mushtaq Buch—and I would frequent these spots, not just for the latest menswear, but to be part of the vibrant student life.
Adjacent to Book Corner was a lane befittingly called “Love Lane.” Located just behind the Women’s College, it was a place where youth would meet or catch a hurried glimpse of their lovers’ faces. However, romance had to contend with the “tough masters” of the time. Figures like Jinab Saif-ud-Din, the best administrator at S.P. College, and the legendary Principal of the Women’s College, Professor Mahmooda Ahmed Shah, were formidable. They ensured that none of their students became wayward “Majnoons” or “Lailas.” They would “cut them to size” to maintain decorum, yet the students loved and respected them equally for it.
Around 3:00 or 4:00 PM, as the women’s college let out, the area became a stage for the youth to show their presence. Those who dared to make silly remarks would often find themselves dealt with by the officials from Kothibagh Police Station, sometimes ending up behind bars under the law of the land.
Further away at Polo View was Beauty Corner, famous for Kashmiri art and shawls. Then there was Paris Beauties at Budshah Chowk, run by Ghulam Rasool. I can still see his beautiful red Volkswagen parked outside. He dealt in exotic items like French perfumes—luxuries far beyond the reach of students like us. We had to save every penny in our “ginny boxes” for months just to afford a single choice shirt or sweater.
I vividly remember a half-sleeve, lemon-colored nylon sweater I finally managed to buy. It was a badge of pride. That sweater lasted three decades without losing its color! It was so well-regarded that many grooms in my locality borrowed it for their weddings, eventually returning it to my ancestral home in Mallaratta.
Dress Corner itself was run by a reputed Punjabi family who also owned the Neelam Hotel on the floor above. Though the family sadly faced many tragedies over the years, the silver lining remains: the business has endured. To this day, the descendants continue the legacy, known as gentlemen of excellence and honesty.
Today, Srinagar’s roads are filled with many new corners—Coffee Corners and Cake Corners—but the unique vibrance of that glorious past remains missing. Looking back, we wore those few hard-earned items with a sense of prestige that is hard to find in today’s world of fast fashion.
Syed Nissar H. Gilani is a former civil servant from the administrative service. He is an awardee of the prestigious Moulana Abul Kalam Azad Award from the UP Cultural Academy for his translated work into Urdu of “Kashmir” by Sir Francis Younghusband, can be reached at nisargilani57748@gmail.com
