-Written by Richard Embhah Nongkhlaw, Fifth Semester, Media Technologies, 2023
In the locality of Pynthorumkhrah, Shillong, Meghalaya in India. It is a part of the East Khasi Hills district. There exists an old tiny tailor shop that is much more than just a place for mending garments. This story is about Kripama Chanda, also known as Mithu or Mithun, who has spent over two decades weaving threads and mending garments as a tailor, stitching not only garments but also hearts and friendships along the way.
Mithu's workspace is quite simple. He has a sewing machine which is the centre of his attention, a mechanical companion who has accompanied him on his journey, it was given to him by a man and was originally a hand-operated sewing machine, but he later converted it to a foot pedal machine, and he cared for it so well that it is still perfectly working even after 50 years. He has a chair for himself snugly fitted inside the tiny space, a shelve where he puts his tools, along with a small seat just near the door for his customers that comes to his shop and who are waiting for their garments to get stitched but also where his friends and neighbours drop by the day to hang out in the cosy corner of his shop.
Mithu's tailor shop is more than a place for sewing and mending; it is a warm gathering spot for people to come there, not only just for work but to chat and have a good time together. They share stories of daily lives, family matters, incidents, jokes and laughs, discuss about Teer a very popular and unique archery-based lottery game conducted by the Khasi Hills Archery Sports Association, sports, News and enjoy tea, betel nuts and smoke biri and cigarettes together. This small space in the neighbourhood functions as a mini community centre, with people working, talking, and engaging in various activities.
Mithu was born and brought up in Riatsamthiah, Shillong, Meghalaya and his journey into the world of tailoring began at home. In his early years, he discovered the enjoyment in sewing clothes and while tinkering with his family sewing machine during his school days. His fascination with fabrics and the art of garment creation grew stronger with time. He honed his skills by working in various tailoring shops to learn about measurements, patterns, and stitches, where he begins with the fundamental and simple tasks like making buttonholes and pockets and gradually progressing to crafting trousers, shirts, and coats for men’s. Where he has spent more than five years making men's garments for a tailor shop in Polo, a place known for its sport grounds, markets and hotels. Soon after Mithu's path crossed with a seasoned tailor named Hari Singh, known for his expertise in crafting ladies' garments who has his own shop in Keating Road, Police bazaar the main market place in Shillong.
Recognizing Mithu's potential, Hari Singh extended an opportunity and gave Mithu a chance to work and learn the intricate art of tailoring women's attire. Mithu eagerly embraced the chance and began to work under Hari Singh's guidance, He faced many difficulties at first because he was new to this work, but Hari Singh always encouraged him to keep making even if he made mistakes, so he began by making ladies’ trousers and blouses before learning how to sew salwar and coats. Mithu's skills continued to improve over time. He transitioned from being a skilled worker to becoming an independent tailor, much like his mentor Harri Singh. He opened his own shop in Jailroad, a street given that name because the district jail is situated there. As soon as he opened his new shop in Jailroad customers from the locality and from different areas in shillong visited his shop. Mithu's journey has represented the age-old tradition of mentorship and craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.
However, A robbery occurred only six months after he opened his own shop. Where all of his belongings, the tools, the fabrics and even Customer’s receipt were stolen from him and he was unable to recover from the incident and soon closed his shop in Jailroad. Devastated by this setback he tried to find a new way of earning an income where he tried doing labour jobs for some period of time and fortunately, he was able to re-opened his business again in 2001 where he started working in Pynthorumkhrah itself, and it is here in this tiny snug space he found his peace, where he still works till this date.
While it does not provide him with a lot of money because he does not take any commission work anymore but what he does is fix garments and make adjustments, it does provide him with a great deal of happiness. He continues to appear at the same location on a daily basis, stitching garments and forming bonds with those who pass through his door. Despite the fact that he has shifted to Laban, which is 4.5 Km away from his shop, his heart remains attached to his tiny tailoring shop that he can truly call his own. Mithu has found his peace and purpose in this small tailor shop in Pynthorumkhrah, making it much more than just a place to mend fabrics. It's a place where the tapestry of life unfolds, one stitch at a time.
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