Dawn Images

Being the kind of person who gets struck by obsession as abruptly and intensely as a flash of lightning, last year I was convinced I needed a kara on my wrist. I had only two requirements — it needed to be silver and it needed to be simple. Thanks to a quick search and my most active stalker, AKA Instagram ads, I stumbled upon Manto’s karas and knew this was the one.

I may have been searching for something plain but upon examination, I felt like I was getting more than what I asked for — in a good way. Manto has handpicked some empowering couplets from poets such as Allama Iqbal, Mirza Ghalib, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Jaun Elia, and inscribed those words on their rustic karas in both silver and gold.

Because I am very impatient when it comes to getting what I want once I’ve decided it’s what I want, I headed over to Emerald Tower, Karachi to Manto’s store instead of ordering it online. I purchased their Jahaan kara for around Rs1,500 as far as I remember. Currently, the karas are retailing for Rs1,750 but I definitely think they’re worth the buy, especially if the particular piece of poetry conveys a message that’s close to your heart or a reminder you would like to glance at every now and then.

The karas come in three sizes so it was convenient to try them on at the store and get the perfect fit for myself. Built in stainless steel, they’re hard and strong. The metal is textured and has a rustic look to it so if you’re not into the vintage vibe, you may not like it. I’m taking out one star because they’re kind of overpriced for a very simple kara — the engraved poetry is pretty cool but it’s still a little heavy on the pocket.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

This article is part of an ongoing series on supporting local products. All the products are independently evaluated and reviewed by a member of the Images team and reflect their personal opinions. If you’re a local business and would like to be featured, reach out to us at imagesdawndotcom@gmail.com.