The Gazetteers Department

This occupation provided employment to 3,792 persons according to the 1961 Census. Tailor today is an indispensable unit of modern society though once he was looked down upon in the social hierarchy. Tailoring was followed as an hereditary occupation by the persons belonging to the Shimpi community of the-Hindus. But now there is no such bar and any person who has desire and resources to follow the occupation can do so.

Many of the tailors in the rural areas are unskilled and stitch waist coats, bodices, pyjamas and make a precarious living. However, some tailors in big villages undertake stitching of shirts, pants, etc., but their cutting and fitting is not up to the mark. Skilled tailors are mostly found in big towns only and they specialize in stitching clothes of men, women and children. They generally adapt themselves to the ever changing fashions in the urban areas ensuring a prosperous future to the profession.

In the case of a big tailoring establishment, the fixed capital investment is about Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,000, between Rs. 800 and Rs. 1,200 in case of medium establishment and between Rs. 500 and Rs. 600 in the case of small establishments. The fixed capital was invested for the purchase of sewing machines and tables, and other minor items, such as, the measuring tape, scissors, etc.

Accessories required for the tailoring occupation are generally available locally. They consist of thread, buttons, canvas-cloth, needles, oil etc. The amount spent on accessories varies from Rs. 5 to Rs. 70 per month and depends upon the turnover of the shop.

A sewing machine, a pair of scissors, a chair, a low stool (big pat) and a tape are the important items that constitute the equipment of a tailoring shop. In big establishments tailors are employed either on a daily or on a monthly basis. Sometimes they are given some percentage in the business handled by the establishment. Besides, big shops have other equipment, such as, a large table for cutting cloth, one or two cupboards for keeping clothes, mirrors and a few chairs or benches. Of the tools and equipment, a sewing machine costs from Rs. 350 to Rs. 700 and a pair of scissors from Rs. 10 to Rs. 30.

Generally in a village the tailor goes from house to house to collect orders. He takes measures, receives cloth and finally delivers stitched articles. But in towns and cities customers visit the shops. Usually cutting work is done by the owner of the shop, whereas in a few cases, for the job of cutting, skilled tailors are employed and the work of stitching is given to other employees. It is customary to pay an employed tailor on a piece-rate basis. However in a few cases they are paid salaries on monthly basis. Such monthly emoluments vary from Rs. 70 to Rs. 100 in towns. In the case of big villages their wages range from Rs. 30 to Rs. 55. The usual items of stitching are shirts, pants, trousers, coats, waist coats, bodices and blouses. The stitching charges are not uniform but differ according to the quality, the type of work as well as demand for tailoring services. The location of the establishment also influences the same.

Output of the work again depends upon the location of the shop, whether in a village or in a town, or whether it is centrally situated or otherwise. In a village the daily output of work amounts to three to four rupees. In the rainy season the business is dull. But at the time of annual fairs. Gudhipadva, Dipa-vali, Nagpanchami, Dasara, etc. and during the marriage season the business, is brisk when a tailor earns Rs. 5 to Rs. 7 per day. In a big town the earnings range from Rs. 10 to Rs. 15 per day. There are a few big and up-to-date shops in the district.

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