“It once used to be an integral part of the wedding trousseau. The demand has dipped but there are takers nevertheless,” smiles Begum, as she adds the parandi to several others that are on display outside her shop tucked at the end of the Hanuman Mandir complex in Connaught Place.

It is the conviction to keep intact tradition that has prompted 45-year old Rehana Begum not to shut shop despite the meagre demand for the parandi. “Where will people go if they want to buy a parandi?” she asks.

While the art of making parandi was passed on to her by her father-in-law, she opened the shop selling parandis, bangles and other ornaments near Hanuman Mandir 25 years ago.

“At that time several others used to stock parandis but over the years they have stopped because it is hardly profitable,” she says, looking at her neighbours who now either stock bangles or specialise in applying mehndi in intricate patterns. Rehana Begum looks back at the old days with fondness, days when competition was tough between parandi makers. “There used to be a lot of experimentation and all of us worked hard to make sure that our parandi was more popular with the customers. Now there is hardly anyone else selling parandis in the complex,” she says.

However, to keep in step with the changing fashion, Begum has made innovations in the designs. Though the gota has held on, shells and pearls have been added to the tassels. “We even make parandis to order. The customers can get their dresses and we can make something that’ll match it perfectly,” says Rehana Begum.