his Mobile Tailor community emerged around the 70’s in India, well before that the tailor had his own little shop, many small ones in towns & cities. And some small roadside shacks in rural areas. I guess for non affordability and availability of space, the urban tailor started moving from place to place. Interestingly the bigger tailors have become designers and are industrious.

And run huge units. Sometimes they walk 15 km a day in the hot sun, pushing their mobile units and earning a pittance. But they are God send for homemakers in a hurry, as these tailors help them save money and worry less.Chinnadurai is a self taught tailor who hails from Vallanadu in Tirunelveli district. “I learnt to use the machine from my uncle. When he become too old to continue to work, I took over,” says he of his foray into the profession.

He mends torn cloths and alters garments according to specifications. “Now I make Rs. 100 a day. On a good day, I make Rs. 150”. He walks through the streets in Vyasarpadi, Pulianthope and Perambur. The only cost incurred is repair of the machine and purchase of the machine and purchase of needles and threads, which may run to Rs. 300 at a time. Some residents are considerate and allow mobile tailors to use the space outside their house during the day.