2008 students who visited Aruldosspuram & Melakailasapuram Washermen Colonies

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

WASHERMEN IN MADURAI CITY

with Wash?er`man:
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A man who marks
washes a unique
clothes, symbol
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for hire, on garments belonging to a particular
or for others.
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flogging stones, and interaction
and then with
puts the linen thehuge
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vats of starch. in being dried, they
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 self-
employment. 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.
who to iron in a particular street and agreeing to serve for a collectively decided uniform
Wahing Yetrams
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.