Bhagwati Lal Tailor

Bhagwati Lal Tailor is just me and a couple of machines here in Sahara, Bhilwara. I’ve been sitting behind this sewing table for more years than I can count now. The shop isn't much to look at, just some rolls of thread and piles of fabric people bring in, but it’s where I spend most of my day. Most people around here know where to find me when their pants need shortening or a shirt button pops off. It gets pretty hot in the afternoons, but the fan keeps things moving enough to finish the work. I don't use any fancy computers to keep track of sizes, just my old notebook where I scribble down the numbers. Sometimes the handwriting is a bit messy, but I never get the fit wrong. It’s mostly regular folks from the neighborhood stopping by. We talk about the weather or the local news while I take the measurements. The floor is usually covered in little bits of cloth and thread ends by the time evening rolls around. I try to sweep up before heading home, but some of it always stays stuck in the corners. It is honest work, keeping the needle moving and making sure the seams are straight. I don’t go for those big fashion trends you see on TV, just simple clothes that people can actually wear to work or weddings without feeling uncomfortable. That’s just how it goes here in Bhilwara. We just keep sewing.