TAILORS
OLD SCENARIO
Of the different functionaries known to us, Tailors are a
clan worthy of keen consideration. Times were when tailors use to push a
trolley mounted with a sewing machine and look for assignments at our door
steps. Even more common were the ones carrying a sewing machine with a hand
rotor to propel the stitching device. They had in their kit, a range of threads
of different hues to convince the women folk who would themselves ascertain if
the man has the right shade of stitching thread; if not, would insist on the
right material for assigning the work. More than the art of tailoring, carrying
‘tailor-made’ answers to the volley of questions flung at him was the first
need for a tailor to win assignments.
Quite amazing it is, if we see how in a matter of hours,
those tailors use ‘model’ items or sample items to adapt to the new fabric, cut
the cloth and stitch them to dimension , fix the buttons/ button holes or hooks
and catch and so on. With all the
intricacies of work and the stiff demands from those customers, the men used to
stay under a shelter 2 feet wide and briskly churn out item after item. Whether
intelligent or not the home-makers are clever. Peeping through the window they
assess the working speed and the local patronage shown to the tailor. Once
convinced of the man’s efficiency, 7 or 8 women from houses on either side of
the work-spot, hand over work to the ‘unknown’ tailor. It all begins with two
women who spot the ‘tailor’ and offer assignments on strict terms; those
tailors are no less intelligent. The tailors have the nuances of quick working,
amiable disposition towards prospective supports and try to strike a decent bargain
of fair workmanship on terms of nominal wages. The strategy of cashing in on
the opportunity relates to employing the most polite language taking utmost
care in utterance of words even on the face of harsh bargains by women. This
was the modus operandi decades ago.
NOW
Now-a-days women throng tailor shops devoted for women costumes. Of late, costumes for women are rich in vacant spots with windows, window bars and such criss-cross connections running in different directions. Cut and waste is the modern method in stitching of women garments.
Men seldom
try to make use of the services of street tailors and they prefer to visit
shops where a team of men are functioning with no time to even look up. Their
legs and hands co-ordinate to follow the stitch line and the coded info scribed
in tailor chalk. Men rely on the ‘hear-say‘, about tailor’s ability and assign
work to men recommended by friends. Friends are as much dull heads as the man
himself. Men are tolerant to the vagaries of stitching; ‘enough if something is
worn’ is their attitude. They don’t waste their time looking for matching
garment. Imagine, what would it be if men were to wear exact match for pants
and shirts? Would just look like class 5 civic services uniform. Looking for
the ‘best tailor’ is also just a myth as everyone goofs up on and off. This time it is for us. No one is safe.
Prof. K. Raman
I am reminded of the actor and actress Robert Tailor and Elizabeth Tailor.
ReplyDeleteI remember in my early days I used to pay Rs2/ per shirt for stitching.
Now you have to shell out Rs200/ for a shirt and Rs 300/ for a pant.
Hence I am forced to buy ready-made shirt and pant at the cost of tailoring charge.
For alteration or for other purpose we go to puthu mandapam and get things done in an hour or so. Under -wears are to be stitched as they are not available ready made.
K.Venkataraman
Nice article, provoking nostalgic memories. I am reminded of our tailor, Ramalingam. While stitching our Diwali dresses, he would deliver the dresses just in time on the early hours on the Diwali day.
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