The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : They slog for hours to define your style quotient at work

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Sunday, Nov 02, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

They slog for hours to define your style quotient at work

K. Lakshmi

Though readymade clothes are in vogue, tailors retain their popularity

Photo: V.Ganesan

Unsung craftsmen: Tailors working to turn fabrics into pretty dresses in one of the shops in Chennai. —

CHENNAI: If clothes maketh a man or a woman, they use their skills to define the style quotient of an individual. They are professionals in perpetual demand, despite numerous changes in technology over the years.

Tailors are often responsible for the latest fashion to catch on among people. Their sewing machines may have been upgraded from being operated manually to being powered by electricity, but tailors still slog for long hours to give that elegant touch to clothes.

B. Basheer Ahmed, who has been in the profession for five decades, said, “I inherited the family business that was handed down through several generations. I jot down details of a customer’s physique in nearly a full page to stitch clothes that best suit him.”

Many eminent personalities in the city have sported the creation of Mr. Ahmed. “Every garment I stitch is precious to me. When the customers come back, I understand that it as an appreciation of my work,” he said.

The profession also has its challenges like any other trade. “Sometimes when the helpers spoil the new clothes while ironing or cutting, we replace them. We would rather bear the loss to save our reputation,” Mr. Ahmed said.

Though readymade clothes are in vogue, tailors retain their popularity. “When I started during the 1960s, stitching charges of a pair of trousers was Rs.12, but it has now increased to Rs.500-Rs.700. There is place for everyone who comes up with quality work,” he said.

Pushpa Sekharan, who is running a tailoring shop for a decade, said that she spends on fashion magazines periodically to have an update on the new trends . “It’s important to refresh our skills to stay unique. We have come a long way from being busy just during the festive season. But, we struggle to deliver clothes on time due to lack of labour force,” she said.

Hard work is another aspect that forms the base of the profession. With a measuring tape around the neck, she ends up standing for nearly 12 hours a day taking measurements. “If there are no helpers, I take home clothes for hemming or giving final touches and work till midnight ,” she said.

Many tailors often stitch their own clothes to try out new styles. They suffer from health problems in the long run as they have to stitch in drooping position, straining their eyes.

Mobile tailors like S. Mohan are a blessing for those who don’t have time to step out. Pavements are the trading places of Mr. Mohan, who peddles for six hours to turn clothes into a pretty salwar or a blouse. “If it rains, it means a day’s leave and loss of earning. People in the area provide shelter to my machine,” he said.

Mohan spends night hours working as a security personnel to make more money. “As I don’t have a family, I have made platform my home and business place. Though my earnings are meagre, I would continue to sew new clothes as it gives me job satisfaction,” he said.

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