thella

Thella is a term used in several South Asian languages to refer to a mobile street vendor, or to the cart and equipment used by such vendors. A thella typically consists of a wheeled cart, sometimes with a portable display, that is pushed or pulled by the vendor to markets, streets, and transit hubs. Goods sold by thella vendors commonly include snacks, fruits, beverages, and small household items, chosen for their portability and quick turnover. The term is closely related to the Hindi word thela and the expression thela-wala, with transliteration variants such as thella, thaila, or thele used in different languages and regions.

Thella vendors are a prominent feature of the informal economy in many Indian cities and other parts of South Asia. They provide affordable, readily available goods and contribute to urban vibrancy, while often operating outside formal licensing regimes. In many places, municipal authorities regulate vending through designated zones, permit systems, or time-based restrictions, affecting the thella trade. The rise of digital payments and branding by some vendors has influenced practices and competition in street markets.

In cultural contexts, thella imagery appears in literature, film, and media as a symbol of mobility, entrepreneurship, and street-level commerce, sometimes highlighting the challenges faced by informal workers, such as licensing hurdles, safety, and city planning pressures.