Nearly a century-old market, Evening Bazaar got its name because traders, in the early years, set up shop only in the evenings. The market's other name (Paayi Kadai) originated because mats (called 'paayi' in Tamil) were sold here. Curiously, in the initial years, Chinese dentists were found aplenty, in this area. Even today, one can see a few dentist clinics of the descendants of the early Chinese dentists.

Stainless Steel, aluminium, brass vessels, furnishing material and mats are the products that the market is popular for. In the 1930's hawkers used to come here, buy vessels and sell it in villages and towns during temple festivals and 'sandhais' (village market usually held once a week).

During the Second World War, aluminium vessels were supplied to the military forces from this market. 'Accountant' Ramaswamy, who has been here for nearly four decades at M. A. Ethirajulu Naidu, one of the oldest and most famous shops in this market.says, "Before the 1940's, there was no stainless steel. Only aluminium vessels were used for cooking. Stainless Steel was invented basically to save the soldier from the cumbersome task of cleaning his rifle barrel to keep it from rusting. The invention of stainless steel solved this problem". People refused to buy stainless steel cooking vessels, since they had a misconception that since stainless steel had iron in it, they would rust. To change the mindset of the people stainless steel vessels were given as free samples to families, who came to buy aluminium vessels. This marketing strategy did the trick and stainless steel vessels, as an alternative to aluminium, became popular. Once sales boomed, manufacturers set up small factories called 'pattarais'. Till then, the vessels came from Bombay (now Mumbai).

Thespian actor Sivaji Ganesan's family is one of the regular clients from Tamil tinsel world. Telugu matinee idol N.T. Rama Rao has also shopped here. The customer base has changed over the years. Today, according to the old timers, hotels which are mushrooming across the city, are the main customers here.

The market, in keeping with modern times, has introduced modern 'kitchen equipment' like steam boilers and so on, for specific tasks. Though vessels are the main product that the market is famous for, Evening Bazaar also has shops providing furnishing material like draperies, pillow covers, carpets and mats.

Approach: The left from Government Hospital, near Central Station.
Sunday Holiday.