Washerman In Madurai City

2008 students who visited Aruldosspuram & Melakailasapuram Washermen Colonies

and their photographs (2007 & 2008) who visited washermen colonies A Report

on WASHERMEN IN MADURAI CITY

with Wash?er`man: most households.Each dhobi marks a unique symbol or character on garments belonging to a particular A man who washes clothes, esp. for hire, or for others.

Based observation and interaction with thehuge washerman communities in being dried, they ure, thrashing them withon thepersonnel flogging stones, and then puts the linen into vats of starch. After which Madurai City by S.RENGASAMY, Faculty Member & along with the students Madurai Institute of Social Sciences Alagarkoil Road. Madurai-625002 Introduction

India is a vast country, with people belonging to different customs, cultures and economic level. In the context of economic system prevailing in India, self-employment plays a significant role and both educated and uneducated people enter into the avenues of selfemployment. Jobs under self-employment vary from yielding low level to high level income. Generally the low-level self-employment is mainly due to the unemployment problem or due to the lack of knowledge about other available jobs. Often the low-level self-employment focuses more on the hereditary vocations. Normally the migration of people from rural areas to urban areas results in the growth of urban population, which affects the employment opportunity already available in the urban areas. This often compels the people to choose their hereditary vocation. Those people who lackmarketable skills to serve in modern economy select some difficult works that require only physical effort and become porters, construction workers, rickshaw pullers, street ironer, street vendors etc…Washermen are one such type who are hereditarily forced to engage in washing the soiled clothes. Why we observed washermen?

At present washerman mostly depend upon middle class families who use their services in washing and pressing the clothes. The recent changes in the attitude of middle class families towards the modern technology and their accessibility towards the electric gadgets like washing machines, electrical iron box etc. has pushed the washermen to a more deplorable condition. They do not get regular customers and as such they lead a life of uncertainty. The opportunities available in urban areas for washerman showing a negative trend due to the introduction of modern gadgets but also self washing taken by the families to reduce the washing expenses. Washing as a total service undertaken by the washerman is reduced into a single process of ironing the washed clothes. Thus washerman has become ironers and this change affected them a lot economically, socially and culturally. When one look at the world, one is surprised to note that billion and billions of money is transacted against the activity of washing the dirty linen/clothes. As it is rightly said by the Shiva Sena leader Bal Thackery “Mass media especially television is solely sustained by the advertisements given by the soap manufacturers. So our TV programmes, he rightly mentioned, is nothing but “Soap Operas”. Not only detergents, whiteners, bleaching agents, starching agents, washing machines, iron

boxes,... indeed there is an ever expanding domestic as well as international market centered around washing of clothes. But the washermen who mainly does it as a hereditary occupation is forgotten by the society. Clothes made up of synthetic fibers, detergents, washing machines and iron boxes, science and technology has taken away the process of washing from the hands of the washerman. How these changing trends affected the washerman? How they face the situation? How they earn their livelihood in the changed situation? All these questions made the researcher to select a study on the socio – economic conditions of the washerman. Understanding their conditions is a pre-requisite to plan for their development. This study focuses its attention towards understanding the background of washermen, their socio economic status and the problem faced by them with an aim of providing the first hand information on their living and working condition. Washermen in Hindu Religion 1. The Origin of Washermen

There is an interesting story regarding the origin of washermen in Sivapurana, a saivite religious text in Tamil. When Thakkan was doing yagna, Veerabadra appeared and destroyed the yagna. After the destruction of yagna, he found blood drops in his clothes. In order to wash it, he created a washerman from his chest. 2. The Life of Thirukurippu Thondar

The saivite cult originated in Tamil Nadu and the sixty-four nayanmars of this cult (great disciples of Lord Shiva) are much venerated souls. Among these sixty-four nayanmars, one nayanmar belongs to the dhobi community. His name was Thirukurippu Thondar Due to his love for Lord Shiva, he has taken a vow to wash the clothes of a saivite monk first and after that only he washes the clothes of his customers. To test his dedication and steadfastness, Lord Shiva himself came to earth and cornered him to break his vow. But Thirukurippu Thondar didn’t. Appreciating this, Lord Shiva gave his darshan and blessed him. Washermen feel proud of the fact that even though they belong to Sudravarna, Thirukurippu Thondar has proved that even a man born in the lowest caste can get God’s blessing and attain nirvana by his/her devotion. 3. Washermen and Mariamman Cult

Hindus give due respect for washermen in certain ceremonial functions especially in Mariamman pongal festival. According to the popular legend this is linked to the story of Parasurama. Parasuram was born to a saint couple. His father was a great Rishi (Kousika Muni) and his mother was a chaste woman. Every day she go to the near by river with empty hands to fetch water for her husbands daily poojaanustanam. In the river she collects sand and makes it as a pot. It was possible because of her saintly purity. One day when she was in the river to fetch water, she started looking at the sun and for a moment, she forget herself in the beauty of the sun and there by lost

her purity. After this, she could not make a pot from the sand and returned empty handed. Her husband understood the reason and he called his son Parasuram and ordered to cut off her mother’s head for having lost her chastity. Seeing this she ran and hides her in a dobi’s house. Parasuram came there to find out her mother. He enquired with the dobi’s about her mother. A dobi woman who kept Parasuram’s mother in her house prayed innocence. Parasuram understood that she was not telling the truth, so he got angry and severed the washerwoman’s head. Unable to bear this Parasuram’s mother came out and her head was also cut. Hearing that his son obeyed his orders, the Rishi told his son to ask for any boon. Using this opportunity, Parasuram prayed his father to bring back his mother’s life. The rishi agreed. By haste, Rishi’s wife head joined with washerwoman’s body and washerwoman’s head joined with Rishi Pathni’s body. Both of them got life with changed heads and bodies. Unable to join with her husband, Parasuram’s mother with a washerwoman body became a goddess, and that Goddess is Mariamman, a popular folk deity in rural Tamil Nadu. That is why washermen are given respect during the Mariamman festival. Washerman are entitled to “Kappu Kattuthal “i.e. to mark the initiation of ceremony. Besides the first “Parasatham” for the Goddess Mariamman is made up of the rice given by washermen. 4. Washerman and Lord Ranganatha Idol

During the Tippu Sultan period, Tippu Sultan conquered Trichy and taken away the idol of the famous Lord Ranganatha. All the Hindus were taken over by grief. Seeing this, a washerman came forward and promised that he will trace out the whereabouts of the stolen idol and brings it back. To achieve this he went to Tippu Sultan’s palace and stayed in one of the houses of a washerman who was washing in Tippu’s palace and helping him in washing. One day, he found out a rare fragrance coming out of a cloth bundle. When he checked that bundle, to his surprise he found out the piece of cloth put on the consecrated idol of Lord Ranganatha. When enquired with the palace washerman, he told that he got it for washing from that part of the palace where royal maidens live. From further secret enquires the washerman from Trichy came to know that Tippu’s daughter was keeping that idol with her as a play material. After tracing out this, washerman from Trichy under the guise of Tippu’s washerman entered into the palace and taken away the idol. To honour his effort, even the lineage of that particular washerman is entitled to get fire from temple madapalli to put on their funeral pyre. No other community is given this honour. 5. Washerman and Chidamparam Copper Plates

Washerman and their life are mentioned in the Tamil epics and literature. They are even mentioned with regard in some of the copper plates found out in archeological excavations. One of the copper plates found in Chidambaram makes an interesting reading. When Krishna Raya has visited Chidambaram, one washerman prayed to his highness to visit the damaged mutt, i.e. Shri Manavalan Madam of the washerman community. Seeing that, he ordered the temple priests and the rich people of chidambaram to allot a place near the east street.

When Achutha Rayan, the descendent of Krishna Rayar visited Chidambaram he made an inscription in a copper plate requesting the people to help the washerman to construct their mutt and there after to regularly maintain it. Those who help in the construction and maintenance of Shrimanavalan Madam will get benefits which are equal to the benefits one can get it by bathing in the holy river of Ganges and also escapes from the great sins committed by them. The mutt which is mentioned in the Chidambaram copper plate now named after the saivite saint Thirukurrippu Thondar. 6. Wahsermen and Barbers. Washermen and barbers are the two categories who are traditionally occupied in services, which are basic to social life. Their economic status is same. But among themselves wahsermen are placed first in social status hence in all the homes during the family ceremonies washerman receives first respect in the villagers. Still the same is practiced in the villagers. But in the cities it has changed. During the festival time, especially if it is a temple festival, where animal sacrifice is practiced the conductors of the ceremony used to gift goat to washermen first, and the barbers get next. But the barbers usually give their share to the washermen. In those days both maintained good relationship. Even marriages were arranged between these two communities. But at present community/family approved marriages is not practiced. This is due to the realization that washerman’s daughter can live happily in the barber’s house but the barber’s daughter will suffer for the whole day without rest, due to washing in washerman’s house. So they stopped marriage relationship between the two communities. Except this they are maintaining friendly relationship. 7. Washermen and other communities Muslims: Once upon a time a washerwoman was sailing in a boat and while she was

sailing, a hole formed in the boat and it begun to sink. She didn’t know what to do? At the moment she saw a dome of a mosque and she prayed Allah to land her safely. If she will be saved, she will hoist a white flag in the main in Nagoor Darga. Suddenly a tile from the sky fell on the boat and that exactly fit into the hole. In order to fulfill her prayers, she went to the mosque and hoisted the white flag. That is the reason behind the white flag in all the dargas. It is called Dhobis White Flag. In any Muslim ceremony washermen’s flag will be carried first by the Muslims and then only other flags will be carried. Apart from this, during the ‘sandhanakkoodu’ ceremony also camphor from the dhobi’s house i.e. sambirani, took first place in the function. Brahmins: Not only Muslims even the Brahmins, who are entitled to remove any form

of “Theetu” (impurities) are calling washerman to remove the theetu caused due to delivery of a brahmin women. Brahmins who are removing the thettu in all other’s houses, unable to remove the theetu in their own house, call washerman to remove it in their house. For this, the Brahmins offer “Thakshinai” to washerman. Washerman are very proud of this recognition given to them by Brahmins because all other Hindu house holders depend on Brahmins to purify the impurities, but Brahmins depend on washerman to purify their houses. Belief in Karma: There is a belief among washerman that, as per hindu belief, one

who is not showing any mercy to others are made to born in a washerman’s family and persons who committed great sins are made to born as donkeys in washerman’s houses. The merciless and the sinners in order to dissolve their karmic influences are destined to wash all the dirties and to carry bundles of dirty clothes as hard as donkeys. This belief teaches a great lesson – human beings cannot escape from their ‘atharmic karmas’. So, washerman believe that they are suffering because of the sins committed in their previous birth and being a washerman they expiate all their sins in this birth and here after they won’t born again. Among the seven births in human life, washerman belong to the last category and they won’t born again. Escaping from this process of birth and death is a great boon and one who born in a washerman family is really blessed, because it is his / her lost birth. What an yogi can achieve through his penance, a washermen can achieve it by his work. Washermen in Madurai city.

There is no reliable information available about the details of population involved in washing in Madurai city. As per oral record, there are 5000 washermen families living on Vaigai Riverbank. These families originally living in the villages, doing washing, were migrated to Madurai seeking greener pastures. The rural washermen’s conditions are really pitiable with low wages and absolutely depending on patron client relationship. So many of the washermen’s families migrated to the Madurai city with a hope to earn decent wages. All the migrants are settled in the slums and colonies situated along the the river bank, since water in Vaigai River and the empty space of the river bed is used for washing and drying purposes. Even though river Vaigai is used by the washermen to eke their livelihood, it is not devoid of problems. During rainy season when water is flowing in the river they can’t use the river. During summer season, when there is no water the washermen are forced to dig shallow sandy wells by excavating sand to get springs. Every year washermen are forced to spend 2000 – 3000 rupees in-groups in order to form these wells. If there is any summer rains these wells will be washed away, there by creating a lot of physical and economic hardship. Some times washermen not willing to waste their money in digging temporary shallow sand wells, go to the near by villages where tank or pond water is available throughout the year. It also creates problems in transport. But washermen in Vandiyoor area in order to overcome this seasonal problem created their own “Dobi Kanas” (Dhoby Ghaut / washing places) permanently by investing some money. Each Dobikana in Vandiyoor area consists of a shallow well constructed and plastered with cement, four to five cement troughs (storage’s) and a simple “yetram” (water lifting device) To construct a permanent dobikana with this infrastructure cost about 12 -15 thousands rupees and a group of washerman share this expenditure. Those who could not construct their own nor able to join the common endeavor can take this for daily rent.

But washerman in other areas are getting water by paying money. Since water is a main raw material for washing, majority of them are living along the vaigai river bed. Due to the expansion of the city, washermen started setting in various parts of the city slums nearer to their customers. Washermen in these places use water sources like tanks and kulams, sometimes they resort to using waste water for washing the clothes. Wherever the washermen families are concentrated there they establish unions. These unions are primarily established not to fight with any employer but mainly to bring regulation among themselves. These regulations mainly help them to partition the area among themselves i.e. Wahing Yetrams who to iron in a particular street and agreeing to serve for a collectively decided uniform charges. They strictly enforce these regulations and any outsiders {washerman} entry into the allotted and agreed territory is strictly prohibited. These prohibitions help them to maintain the service charges or otherwise competition among them will definitely bring the rates down. If a washerman want to serve a particular area where the demand seem to be more, he has to get the approval by the man who is already serving there and the new entrant has to pay a heavy premium to the branch union. There are unwritten rules about the service territory and the washermen divided and partition the territory, as it is their hereditary property. Reason for living close to one another

Majority of the washermen in Madurai city are in fact living in slums. Wherever they live, they live in-groups adjacent to one another. Their occupation demands to live in closeness since their houses are small huts without doors. They have to keep the cloth bundles outside the house and at times their iron boxes and ironing cycles. Apart from this they have to keep a “vellavi aduppu” for steaming the cloths. These “vellavi aduppu” are constantly used one after another, so a lot of smoke comes out from that. If a washerman live along with others there are chances for others to take away good clothes or others may object for using the “vellavi aduppu”. If washermen live close to one another they can watch collectively. Even if the clothes mix with other’s bundle, they will immediately return it to the concerned man, because they know how many problems they have to encounter if they miss a cloth. Washer Women

In all occupations there are certain cultural restrictions imposed on women to undertake certain activities. For example in agriculture women are not allowed to plough. But in washing, there is no such restrictions imposed on washerwomen. Washer women are engaged in all the stages of washing, starting from the collection of clothes, marking it, sorting it out, soaking the clothes, steaming (bhuti) the clothes blueing, bleaching, starching the clothes, washing it, drying it and delivering it. Washerwomen are in fact doing the 75% of the washing work, which are tiresome. But the men undertake the easy work like ironing the clothes. But at times even ironing work is also undertaken by women.

Majority of the washerwomen are illiterates. They have never attended school. Most of them are involved in washing. Only a few of them are going for the household and other work. They do not prefer to go for construction work, even though they get more wages. They find a sort of freedom in washing work. If they are tired they can relax for some time, if they are in good mood they can work more time. But in other’s work, they have to obey the command of others. And they are unwilling to be repriminded by others. They want to work independently. So that they prefer washing job only. In villages washerwomen can go for agricultural work. And their families also owned some land. Apart from washing they depended mainly on agriculture work only. But in cities, since they don’t know any other work, they do only washing. In this job they are not binded to any one and they can start and finish their work as they like. If they go for work, they can’t get permission, they can’t relax and they may be scolded by some body. But in this work they are the masters and they feel that they are free. When they were asked why not they involve in some petty business, they replied that “no doubt we can carry the vegetable baskets easily, we have also the required stamina; but we can’t sell it for reasonable price. But at the same time we can’t do fraud with weights, we can’t shout at the people’. Washermen and Washing The Process of Washing

Every one like to wear washed clothes but afraid of washing. But many of us forget the fact that how washermen are managing to wash the most dirtied clothes. So, it is necessary to understand washing in order to understand the problem of washerman. Though majority of the detergent advertisements portrays that washing is such an enjoyable act; most of the detergent companies usually promises in their advertisements that their product won’t burn the soft fingers. But in reality washing is not an enjoyable one. Home washing might be easy because the clothes are not soiled that much; but washing the most soiled cloths, as the washermen are doing involes lot of physical drudgery. A look at the washing process indicates that washermen are not only putting their best physical efforts but also using lot of chemicals in order to get appreciation from their customers. Some of the chemicals they are using are not only hard for them but also hard to the cloths. To understand these, focus group interviews with washermen and transect walk in vaigai river bed was conducted. The transect walk helped to understand the problems in the work place and the focus group interview helped to identify the steps/process involved in washing. The outcome of these two exrercises revealed that washerman are basically suffering from ‘space related’ problems. Their work site is constantly changing from one place to another, from very near to far away, safe to unsafe situations. Every stage in washing require specific place and consumes specific resources. It is a big question whether the washerman are able to get what is required for proper and safe washing. The PRA tools used helped to understand some aspects of these issues and its outcome is described below.

Steps in Washing Collection of Soiled Clothes

Traditionally washermen collect and bring the clothes from the customers’ residence. Apart from houses, they also collect clothes from hotels, hospitals and weaving centres. Washermen has to take the responsibility of taking clothes to washing spot and return it to the customer’s place after washing it. In the past, donkeys were used to carry the clothes. But at present especially in Madurai the washerman are using bi-cycles, tricycles, and cycle rickshaws to carry the clothes; some times they take it as head loads. Donkeys are still used but their numbers are dwindling. Some of the washerman are having their own tri-cycles to carry the clothes. Washerman do feel that cartilege expenses takes away the major portion of their earning. Putting Washerman Mark

After collecting the soiled clothes from various sources first they check the clothes to find out whether they have any washing marks or not. If there is no marking, they will put marking on the clothes. When they mark the clothes, they put the same marking on the clothes of the same house or put new marking if there is no such marking or change the marking to suit their style. Then they sortout the clothes based on the yarn i.e. cotton, polyester etc. They use similar marking for the clothes collected from the same house are from the same customer. If their clothes bear different mark, they erase it and make a new mark. Usually they use different mark for the clothes belong to each and every family/or a particular customer. Each washerman is following some kinds of standard symbols and place of marking, such as A/B,11,+,X,=,0,* etc., They claim that can identify the clothes easily by seeing these symbols and where it is placed. They put mark on one side or corner of the clothes. This helps them to identify and separate the clothes from one another. Washerman are well aware that washing marks at many times used as a forensic evidence in criminal cases. Preparation of Marking Ink

Materials required: 1 Marking ink powder 2. Caustic soda powder – 50gm 3. Extracts of plantain sheath. Preparation of marker

The washerman usually prepare the marking ink by themselves. The washermen take caustic soda and marking ink and make it as a mixture. Then they extract juice from the plantain sheath by heating and squeezing it and allow it to cool for some time. With this cooled extract they add already prepared mixture of caustic soda and marking ink. Then it will be allowed to cool and finally they get a paste like product and they keep it in a bottle tightly closed. The marking ink thus prepared will not fade away until the cloth is wornout.

Sorting the clothes

The washerman after putting washerman mark sort out the clothes based on the quality like polyester, coloured polyester, white, cotton, pure white clothes, terry cotton clothes and unbleached new clothes. Since each type of clothes require different type of washing, sorting of clothes help in the process. They further sort out some of the more soiled clothes like cotton, white clothes, blankets, bed sheets, pillow covers to put in “vellavi” (steaming). Easily washable clothes made from synthetic fibers, like terry cotton, polyester etc are separated since they need not be placed in “vellavi”. They check the collected clothes, whether there is any damage on it and then keep them by twisting. The twisting method will help to prevent from mixing of clothes and it enable to take out easily one by one. Kamthuthal (Soaking)

The literal meaning of kamuthuthal is called soaking, but the Tamil meaning is much more comprehensive than soaking. Washerman usually do this during evening only. They take a big bucket or a drum and fill it with three quarters of water. In that water they mix fuller’s earth or other washing increrdients. In this mixture they dip the clothes one by one. When the bucket is full they press it with their hands or by their legs for three to four minutes. They again take the clothes and squeeze the water out. Like this they do it for all the clothes. After this they take out the cotton clothes separately and bundle it tightly preferably with a thick [bed sheet] cotton cloth. Fuller’s Earth:

Fuller’s earth is a soil other wise called as“Uvarmann” in Tamil, is used to remove dirt from the clothes. Fuller’s earth is used during kamuthuthal process. This type of soil is not available in all the places. It is available only at particular places. Fuller’s earth usually oozed out from pottal land. Washerman collect it for washing. They mix this soil with caustic soda during the kamuthual process. Fuller’s earth usually available in pottal land near streams and river valleys. Pottal land usually discharges uvarmann (fuller’s earth) once in three days. The chemical properties of this fuller’s earth not only remove the dirt in the clothes but also give good smell for the clothes. Materials Required for Washing:

At present only few are using uvarmann during kamuthuthal. Majority is using many chemicals in the kamuthuthal and it seems to be easy to remove the dirt with these chemicals. Steaming the Clothes (Bhuti)

Steaming of clothes in Tamil is called “vellavi vaithal”. This is used not only to bleach the clothes, but also kill germs & bacteria in steam. This is the cheapest way to get the best result in washing. Preparation for Steaming:

The steaming structure consisits of a big bowl on an open stove. The bowl is surrounded by an earthen wall and no one can see the bowl from outside. Over the bowl they keep three sticks cris crossing and above that they put the clothes to be streamed. They start

Washing in Progress

burning the stove while putting the clothes. After putting all the clothes they cover it with a thick blanket tightly. When the water in the bowl starts boiling, the clothes get steamed. Washermen start the process in the evening and burn the stove for two to three hours and they keep the clothes over the bowl for the whole night. To burn the stove for bleaching washerman use variety of fuels. At times of scarcity, they buy firewood from shops. But usually they collect the needed firewood by themselves. Some times they collect oiled clothes from automobile workshops, or waste coconut ropes or coir from eversilver polishing lathes free of cost. Not only the type of energy, but the place they use this energy also shows the washerman’s sense of community life. If they live in congested area they use only firewood to burn the stove.If the colony where they settled is spacious, they use oiled clothes or coir because it emits black & suffocating smoke. Washing the Clothes:

The washermen bring the clothes to the washing place after steaming. They wash the clothes by beating the clothes on the washing rock or in a big stone. Unsteamed clothes are washed by soaping method. They wash each and every cloth by beating on the rock. They are following this method to remove the dirt in the clothes. While beating the clothes, they raise special musical sound such as “chu-chu” to relieve them from the tiredness. When two or more washermen are in the same place musical sound raised by the washerman hear similar to that of a song. After washing they rinse the clothes with clean water. Blueing the Clothes:

Bleaching work is done by blueing agents or powder. This is called as “neelam poduthal” in Tamil.Blueing is used for the white clothes. Bleaching process is done as follows. In the process of blueing, they collect water in bucket for ¾ portion and they mix the blue powder appropriately. First they dissolve the already used blue power and secondly tip the fresh powder, which is binded in a cloth in to the water. This will make the powder to dissolve slowly. It is told that one drop of blue solution is enough for one cloth. The washed clothes which are being dipped in blue solution then twisted to remove the water. During this process they also add shining powder in order to whiten the clothes. Starching the Clothes

Starching is done to give stiffness to clothes especially for the cotton clothes. Starching material is prepared by boiling charchet or jawwarisi powder in water. The clothes dipped in this water will get stiffened and smoothened and add attraction to the clothes. Drying the Clothes

Ironer at work

The clothes which are blued and bleached thus then will be dried in sunlight. Every washerman selects his/her own convenient place to dry the clothes. For drying they use several methods, i.e.spreading it on the earth, putting on the bushes or in a cloth line. The washerman take care to dry some clothes, only in the cloth lines. In some of the families, if two or more persons are involved in washing, they divide their responsibilities such as washing, blueing, bleaching, drying and folding. By this way they can do their work fast. In some rare cases, only one person attends all these works. The sorting of the dried clothes is done in the washing place itself. Ironing

Washerman bring the washed clothes to their home and iron every clothes. They iron all types of clothes such as thotties, shirts, jackets, sarees, lungies etc. They iron the clothes with sufficient heat in the iron box. Since each and every cloth materiel require different amount of heat, first they start ironing the clothes made up of synthetic fibers, then cotton clothes and then thick clothes like bed sheets and other items. Ironing is a careful task and if they are careless, clothes may get spoiled or burn out. Thus the entire washing process takes three days. First day they collect the clothes, mark it, sort out, soak it, and steam it.The second day work involves washing, blueing bleaching and starching and drying of the clothes. And in the third day they iron the clothes and return back the clothes to their customer. The Nature of Washermen’s Work

Washermen start their work early in the morning at 4.00 clock itself. They have to go in the early morning itself to avoid the scorching sun. Within midday, they used to finish most of their work. Since the entire family is participating in the work, that too in a non stop manner, by dividing the responsibilities, they finish the tiring part of the work first and start drying the clothes. By starting early they make their work easy. Washerman are allowed to use their customers’ clothes. So one can find that not only the elderly washermen and women but also youth, wear variety of fashionable clothes. Washermen feel that, the once respected community of theirs had fallen from their status because a washerman was instrumental behind the sufferings of Sitadevi, wife of Rama, the epic hero and incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It was a washerman’s remark about Sita’s stay in Lanka that made Sri Rama to prove her chastity. So a social curse befallen on them. This is reflected even now in people’s reaction. Many customers out of their superstitious belief won’t pay the wages to washermen on Tuesdays and Fridays. If they believe that ‘Sridevi

(Goddess of prosperity) will go out of their house if they pay washermen on these days. Many use this belief as an instrument to delay the payment of wages. Several Tamil proverbs popularly quoted by the people in their conversation indicate the scant regard for washermen. Donkeys seem to be the despised animal species because it is used by the poor washermen. Types of Washing

Like there are several stages in washing, there are several types of washing. We made an attempt to classify washing into several types based on the fact from where the washermen are collecting the clothes for washing. The researchers during one of the focus group discussion found out that washermen are not only involved in washing the soiled clothes; they are not only involved in domestic washing; they are also involved in several types of washing and they identified seven types of washing such as 1. Washing for houses 2. Washing for laundries 3. Washing for hotels / lodges 4. Washing for hotels 5. Washing sungudi and gada (unbleached) clothes 6. Washing of old clothes for second hand marketing 7. Washing for companies Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Whatever the focus group revealed in terms of advantages and a disadvantage is represented in the form of a table. Types of Washing Advantages Disadvantages Washing for Houses Developing positive relationship that can At times house holders expect them to do be used at times of need / emergency. other work free of cost, regular service Getting Old and wearable clothes. Gifts means low charges, delayed payment. Not and presentation during festivals, family all the customers are broad minded, ill functions. Hospitality by the customers. treated by many. Not paid for the extra Assured customer means assured work. employment and wages. Washing for Laundries Can get advance for the festivals like Get only that type of clothes difficult to Deepavali, Pomgal etc. Regularity in wash such as white clothes most dirtied employment, more volume of clothes, clothes and thick coarse clothes, pay fine more wages. for the missing clothes, charges paid in instalments. Washing for College Hostels Fixed charges – monthly payment – Inmates also do self washing – Flow of urgent work fetch additional income, clothes won’t be uniform- No work during relationship can be used to get admission vacation time. and other facilities, very decent treatment. Washing Sungadi and Gada(unbleached) Clothes Reasonable payment, more work during Washing in three stages for Sungudi, I.e. seasons and more earnings, respectable before bleaching after colouring and type of washing (ie. not washing the starching, use lot of light hazardours

soiled clothes).

chemicals, if the clothes damaged washerman has to sell it and pay the fine. Washing old Clothes Reasonable wages, chance to do business Shrunken clothes, require more washing in second hand cloth dealing and ironing – should be delivered immediately. Washing for Hotels and Lodges In some hotels washerman are restricted Get only similar type of clothes like bed to serve the inmates directly. Hotel sheet, pillow cover and screen clothes. administration charge heavy amount and Chance to establish beneficial relationship pay less to the washerman. Hotels give with the customers staying in the hotels. contract on tender basis whoever quote Can get advances. Regular work, regular less charges they will be given contract. payment. washing meterials supplied by the administration Washing for Textile Industries All the benefits associated with working Officials exploit the washermen to wash in an industry, washing materials their family clothes free of cost. supplied by the company. Fixed time of working, sometime overtime payment.

Changing Trends in Washing -Ironing in the Street

Ironing the home washed clothes as a separate job was started some 10 –15 years before, that too by fewer number of washermen at particular places. But at present, street ironing has become a specified job that is so dispersed almost in every street. A sketch on urban landscape can’t omit a washerman who is standing in a street ironing the clothes from dawn to dusk. As per oral evidences it is said that more than 5000 street ironers are operating in the Madurai city. Not all the washermen become street ironers. Street ironers mean the washermen who iron the home washed clothes in the streets. Some washermen do street ironing in particular streets. This is possible only in pure residential areas. In places where residences and business are mixed, street ironers just move in the streets and get the customers. This happens only with very few. In some areas ironers select a particular place and do ironing permanently there. Customers visit him to hand over the clothes and collect it. This is a type of ironing shop with no roof. But street ironers in the residential areas visit their customer’s house to collect and hand over the clothes. Some times street ironers allot a whole day or a period of a day, to exclusively iron the clothes for a rich family in the street, that too in front of their house or in their portico. Our discussion with a cross section of the families revealed that there is no complaint against the street ironers. Instead they have a great trust on the ironers. Other people who are providing household services like plumbers, mechanics, painters, domestic servants and street vendors are not able to convince their trustworthiness. These people are always suspected and they are constantly watched. Even though washermen are poor, they are trusted upon by others, they are known for their integrity. Street ironing has a lot of advantages. Washermen need not unnecessarily exert. Politeness, timely service and integrity are the basic values required. After finishing the job, they are immediately paid. It is a service for ready cash.

It is already pointed out how street ironing has evolved into a separate job. As per anecdotal evidence it has started in the middle of 1970’s in Madurai. It slowly grew but during the middle of 1980’s it has been just exploded due to its advantages it encouraged the migration of washermen from the villages. Street ironing can easily fetch Rs. 30 – 50 per day after excluding all the expenses, ie. Charcoal, tea / coffee and other snacks for that day. Street corners are symbolically identified with a four-wheel cycle and an iron box. These are the assets. It is interesting to know how washermen acquire and use these assets. Ironing Cycles

Regarding the four wheel ironing cycle, washermen use their own ingenuiniety to acquire a cycle. Only few washermen give orders to make a new cycle in a workshop located in Bharahtipuram. A new cycle costs more than Rs. 1500, since majority of the washermen can’t offord this amount, they start acquiring all the spare parts required for making a cycle. If a washerman plan to own a cycle, first he starts collecting the rims, spokes and tyres either as second hand or new one. Sometimes they used to get it as second hand materials free from their rich customers. After collecting spare parts, he goes to the workshop and order, for the frame of the cycle which costs about Rs. 1000. The frame consists of two tires, the top wooden platform used for ironing and a bottom frame which is used to keep the cloth bundles. Some washerman uses quality wood and also decorate and paint the sides of the upper part. If they have sufficient money, they fit an umbrella like structure to give shadow while ironing and protect the clothes from rain. Even though the structure is called as cycle, instead of using tubes, they use double tyres that too worn out tyres. Like other vehicles this cycle is also to be constantly looked after to extend its life’s span. Iron Boxes

Iron box is the most important instrument in washermen’s work. The purpose of ironing the clothes is to remove the shrinks and to give a shinning look to the clothes. Lot of improvements in the design, look and efficiency has been made in electrically operated iron boxes, used in homes and in industries. Many companies are competing with one another to produce better and attractive iron boxes. But no one seems to bother about the iron boxes used by the washermen. It is said iron boxes using charcoal are of the same design throughout the world. The design is time tested. These iron boxes can be classified based on the material used for its production. Steel Iron Boxes

This is made up of steel (casting ie. mixture of steel and sand) and weigh about four kilos. Since it is made of steel it will easily rust, can’t efficiently remove dirt in the clothes and won’t polish the clothes that much. It costs only Rs. 500, so affordable by the majority. It gives only less heat and consumes more charcoal. Copper Iron Box

Copper iron box can retain more heat and gives more heat. Its weight is about five kilos and is efficient than the steel iron box.

Brass Iron Box

It weighs about 6.5 kilos. It cost ranges from Rs. 2000 – 2500. The bottom is always shining and smooth so that washerman need not exert to press the box in order to make the clothes shining. This box is long lasting and it is favoured by the majority, but possessed only by a few. The Method of Ironing

Street ironers usually select a particular spot in a street preferably under shadow or a tree. After reaching the street, first they collect the clothes. By their experience they knew how much clothes they will get on a particular day. Families which use washing machines once in a week give more clothes for washing on Monday or after a holiday. But families using domestic servants wash the clothes daily and give it for ironing twice or thrice in a week. After collecting the clothes, they burn the charcoal to heat their iron box. Before ironing they sprinkle drops of water on the clothes and start ironing. It smoothen the ironing process. Charges for Ironing

Washerman collect uniform charges either fixed by themselves or suggested by the union. After ironing the clothes the washerman take it to their customer’s house and hand over it and usually they are given the charges (money) immediately. Since the customers knew the rate, they themselves calculate the amount and give the charges immediately. Even though the charges for ironing has increased over the years it increased in terms of paises only ie. 25 paise, 30 paise, 40 paise, 50 paise, 75 paise and one rupee. Unlike in barber shops where the changes have increased in terms of rupees from Rs.8 to Rs.12, from Rs.12 to 15, from Rs. 15 to Rs.20. Time line and trend change in washermen’s life.

In the past washing was synonymous with washing of household clothes. But now it include washing of clothes from hospitals, hotels etc. Infact washermen feel blessed if they get orders to wash in hospitals and hotels. In the past they were mainly washing the clothes made up of cotton yarn and the designs were also simple. But now a day they have to wash so many types of clothes made from different yarns and different designs. For example earlier dhoties, sarees, towels, shirts are the major items. But at present pants, shuridars, shalwars, coats, inner garments, the designs are not only different, but its composition also differs widely. Clothes of similar nature mean they can wash it easily. But different types and designs of clothes demand careful washing. This not only takes much time, but also requires vigilance. Previously they used only fuller’s earth, and rarely washing soda and blue powder. But now they are using the soap powder, washing soda, soap oil, castic soda, bleaching powder, whitners, and starch also. To buy all these items they have to spend half of their income. Previously they received only Rs. 3/- for 100 clothes. But now they are getting Rs.1per piece of cloth. While they received Rs.3/- they were leading a happy life by meeting their day to day needs because the cost of living was low. Through they are earning more at present, they are suffering due to inflation. The clothes washed by them got the fragrance

till the next wash because they used fuller’s earth. Even though they are using lot of washing materials at present, they would not achieve the quality washing. Most of the washermen who are living in Madurai are migrated from the villages. Even though washermen were paid poor wages in villages, living in villages has several advantages. In villages they practiced “Soredukkapp pothal”i.e. washerman used to get food from their customers. Though the quality of food differs from one house to another house, washermen used to get palatable food from some of their customers and unpalatable food usually served to their donkeys. Besides food they also get annual services charges. Depending on the area they used to get three to five marakals, (local measure) of paddy. Washermen store some amount of paddy for their consumption and the rest they sell it. Since most of the washermen in the villages owned some amount of land they also cultivated it and got additional earnings. They also got vegetables for cooking and fodder for their animals from their customers’ farms. Washerwomen played the role of delivery attendants in the rural areas for that also they were paid. Elderly washer men and women felt that even though life in the villages was not that much comfortable, it was relaxed to some extend. Life in the villages depended upon the local culture. In some villages’ washermen were harassed. Especially the younger generation of washermen, seeing the freedom enjoyed by their urban counterparts, started enjoying some basic comforts made them to migrate to the cities like Madurai. Introduction of synthetic yarns revolutionized the textile sector. People started using terry cotton, polyester clothes made up of from synthetic yarns. This required easy washing and this was further facilitated by the large-scale marketing in commercial detergents. All these changes coupled with the cost of living in urban areas compelled the housesholders to go for selfwashing and washing in the houses. Further due to unemployment, domestic servants were also available for low wages. Meanwhile proliferation of laundries in the cities attracted the customers. All these changes slowly reduced the quantity of clothes given for washing. No doubt laundries did quality washing. But the customers found that charges are beyond their means. Using the domestic servants or washing by housewives themselves can greatly reduce the cost of washing. But the question of ironing the clothes was remaining to solve. The domestic servant was not skillful enough to iron the clothes and the housewives found it boring. But wearing of ironed clothes is liked by every one. Washermen once used to provide full service i.e. washing and ironing found the gap (the need to iron the clothes washed at home) and started to fill up the gap. Thus they slowly became ironers. Washermen jovially

remarked that it is a misnomer to call them as washermen, they should at best be called as ironers. Since washing at homes is going to stay forever, as a part of the poor and middle class living, washermen feel that there is a need for their ironing services. Washermen also feel that, the laundry shops once proliferated in the cities, slowly disappeared for the same reason. At present laundry shops attracts only limited customers that too wash, either the most dirtied clothes or coarse cotton clothes, which is difficult to wash at homes. So Washermen feel that there is no threat from laundry shops, since they have to depend upon them for washing. Costly clothes are washed in special laundries like dry cleaning centres and the charges are not affordable by many. Majority of the washermen started realizing that their living conditions through washing can’t be improved drastically. Washing occupation is a type of subsistence work. They can exist, they can keep their body and soul by doing this work, but they can’t improve like others. So they are trying for alternative opportunities. To seek alternatives, the basic thing they want is to provide education to their children. They feel that education may widen the opportunities. Washermen though limited in numbers have already started to switch over to other works like plumbing, wiring, automobile mechanism, petty business, cycle stalls, masons, painters, cycle rickshaw and auto driving. In the past, besides washing, if there is any small torn in the cloth, dhobis used to mend it. But now people are giving it to the tailors to stitch it. Besides people buy costly clothes and they are willing to keep it for long and are afraid to give their costly clothes to washermen due to the fear that they damage it by handling it roughly. So they prefer to go for dry washing.

Environmental Sanitation

Traditionally washermen used donkeys to carry the load. They tamed donkeys for their work. Donkeys played a major role in washermen’s life. There is no need to spent any money / effort to maintain them. Donkeys were literally considered as washermen’s asset. They even had given donkeys as dowry. Owing a donkey was considered prestigious. A washer man’s social and economic status was assessed based on the number of donkeys he possessed that indirectly indicate the number of customers, the volume of cloth he was receiving. Due to over population, more vehicles in the street and traffic jam, they are unable to use the donkeys in cities. To carry the loads they are spending money for the cycles. For hundred clothes they may receive Rs.100/- as washing charges. Within that they have to spend Rs 50 for materials, Rs. 5 for snacks and tea in the washing site, for beedi and cigarettes other 5 rupees and excluding all these expenses they can gain only Rs. 20/-. Within that meager money they are unable to maintain their family. At times they have to wait for days to receive that money too.

Many of them have no iron box as their own. Brass iron box costs Rs. 2500/-. To purchase it they are unable to save the required money. Brass iron box is energy efficient. It can retain the heat for long and consumes less charcoal and it can also press and polish the clothes very well. But owning a brass iron box is a dream to many. So as an alternative they go for cheaper varieties of iron boxes which consumes more charcoal. Suggestions

1) The washerman of Madurai suggested that wherever Tamil Nadu Housing Board construct houses, they should allot 5% of the houses to the families involved in serving the householders like washermen and barbers (Maruthuvars). The researcher feels that it is a rational one, and Tamil Nadu Housing Board may consider their request. 2) At present only few municipal cities are having dhobikanas (washing spot). It is suggested that all the municipalities in Tamil Nadu should provide separate dhobi khanas (washing spots) depending upon the number of families doing washing. For example in the city of Madurai which is having more than 10 lakhs of population, there is only one dhobikhana constructed by the Govt., fifty years before. All other washermen, either depending upon vaigai river or other water sources. In rural areas washing in the open areas is not a problem. None will steal the clothes, because of the fear of easy identification. But in the urban areas there are lots of chances for the miscreants to take away the clothes and can escape easily. If a washermen misses a cloth he may loose his trustworthiness, and at many times he has to compensate the value of clothes. In order to avoid all these things separate washing spots are necessary. 3) Washermen are living below the poverty line. Further their community is dispersed throughout the state. Wherever they live they live in small numbers. Unlike SC people, who are involved as agricultural labour, they live in sizable number in any village since agriculture requires large work force. This enabled them to oppose any oppression or to bargain for better wages. But washermen with their small size can’t go against the wishes of the majority. So they are voiceless and powerless. Washing is such a basic necessity and it is the govt. and the society has to come forward to look after the welfare of the washermen. An enlightened approach is necessary in order to uplift them. 4. Washermen job, especially ironing the clothes in the street is a most cost effective way of generating self -employment in the urban areas. An investment of Rs. 4000 in ironing vehicles and in Iron box is enough to create a full time employment opportunity. But even to mobilise this small amount, is beyond the means of many. To get this they have to take loan from private moneylenders and the washermen are forced to earn just to pay the exorbitant interest. If washermen are provided with liberal loans under DIR (Differential rate of interest) and subsidies to get vehicles, this will help them to improve their living conditions. 5. At present the govt. is distributing free iron boxes to washermen.To get this iron box worth of 1500 rupees. Washermen are made to run from pillar to post. They are forced to spend at least 200-400 rupees in order to get this. More over an iron box can last only for two to three years; again it should be replaced. Govt is not considering all these factors and the number of boxes distributed by the govt. is far below the number of boxes required by

the poor washermen. So it is suggested to increase the number of iron boxes to be distributed 6) It is suggested to establish power laundries in all the district headquarters. Establishment of power laundries and employing the youths from dobi community there, will go a long way to improve the social status of the washermen. Already power laundries are established in big govt. hospitals. Govt may come forward to reserve the employment for washermen in these power laundries. 7) Washing is a basic necessity for hygienic and civilized life. Weaving and washing occupations are complimentary to one another. But persons who are hereditarily involved in this work are paid only lip sympathy. In order to recognize their contribution govt. may initiate the following positive measures. a) Govt. may consider providing water rights in water bodies like tanks and ponds which are used for washing. For example in public tanks, which are used for washing, the dead storage water should be reserved for washermen. Dead storage water should not be lifted for any other purposes b) Govt. may come forward to establish “washerman welfare fund” in line with fishermen welfare fund. The fund may take suitable programmes to provide alternative employment opportunities for washermen. At present there are more washermen than their actual requirement. This reflected in the poor charges paid for them. If the pressure in washing is reduced, when the supply is less than the demand, there are definite possibilities to increase the service charges.