Marwaris mind their own business

“Marwaris are very opportunistic and hard working in nature,” says Neetu Gupta, a city-based fashion designer who belongs to the Marwari community. “Marwaris generally like to do things their own way and are known for taking risks too.”

‘Marwari’ was a term coined by people of Kolkata to describe those who migrated from Rajasthan to the ‘city of joy’ in search of trade and other business opportunities.

‘Marwari’ has a geographical connotation to it, so there can be a Marwari farmer, trader, Rajput, Brahmin, and so on. Marwaris comprise people from Rajasthan, particularly, areas in and around Jodhpur, Jaipur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Bikaner, Pali, Jalore, Nagaur and other adjoining areas.

Many people from various Marwari castes migrated to distant states for business, agriculture and later became successful. But over time, ‘Marwari’ caught on as a way to refer to a businessman from Marwar, given the rapid success achieved by members of the community in business matters.

Marwaris, like Gujaratis, have also managed to expand their businesses out of the country as well. There is an old saying that best describes the Marwari knack for business – Jahan naa pahunche rail gadi, wahan pahunche bail gadi, aur jahan naa pahunche bail gadi, wahan pahunche Marwari (The saying basically implies that nothing much comes in the way of Marwaris and their businesses, least of all the inaccesibility of a place).

“It was my marriage that brought me to this city 15 years ago,” says Gupta, who belongs to one of those many Marwari families that migrated to Kolkata decades ago. “Marwaris have always believed in the joint family system. I too was brought up in a traditional Marwari joint family in Kolkata. However, this trend has changed with our generation. Today, a number of Marwaris look for jobs outside their family businesses, which in turn, has resulted in the rise in the number of nuclear families even among Marwaris.”

Gupta, who wanted to become a fashion designer since she was just 10 years’ old, is a good example of the changing trend in this colourful and vibrant community.

Change is something that Marwaris easily adapt to. “When I came to Bangalore, it was like coming to a hill station from the hustle bustle of city life – in my case, Kolkata. However, today, Bangalore too has become like any other cosmopolitan city in the country,” says Gupta.

Having adapted to the ways of Bangalore, Gupta says, “I always have dosa and idli batter in my refrigerator. Also, we make it a point to have a proper South Indian breakfast every Sunday morning.”

Another Marwari who moved to the city for more opportunities and career expansion is 32-year-old Amit Aggarwal. “I had a hardware business back in Rajasthan and decided to move to Bangalore eight years ago to expand my business. This city has big business opportunities for my hardware business because of its constantly developing infrastructure,” says Aggarwal.

He feels that the city provides all communities enough breathing space to grow and expand.

“Bangalore is the place to be for everyone,” he says.