Thursday, December 27, 2012

Calcutta streets Part two


While still on the subject of the Rickshaw pullers, here is one guy getting ready for his morning run. (at least he has some footwear)

There is some sort of a number painted behind every rickshaw.


Is this the registration number? I have no idea, maybe  someone from Kolkata can enlighten me on this.
As usual when there is a brawl on the streets all eyes are riveted there. It could be the stationary rickshaw



or the  rickshaw puller along with the passenger, oblivious of the impending danger of vehicles crossing in front of them.


Looks like things are sorted out and people are moving on.

Some observed the fracas from the safety of their shop, like this tailor who I presume makes these small pouches.


I am still trying to figure out what those pouches are used for. It can’t be a mobile pouch as it is too big for that. Is it a money purse for the ladies to be tucked away in the saree?
Talking of tailors, I was observing the dexterity with which this guy threaded the needle.  He must be definitely on the wrong side of fifty but he needs no spectacles to do the fine work.

As you can see, the other two machines on his sides are not in use for a long time or the wheel would be shining from the hand contact that takes place while starting and stopping the machine. It also speaks of the slack in the business, where once upon a time this shop must have been super busy trying to meet deadlines. Blame it on the thriving ready made garment business.

While walking along the narrow lanes saw some of the name boards. Wonder how old this one was.

A mother waited patiently as her son quenched his thirst with sugarcane juice


You will find these small cane crushers set up at intervals. The flywheel ensures reduced effort by human.

The newspaper stand is well displayed with papers on the makeshift table as well as strung out at a height so that people can see it from far




And for those who can’t afford to buy a copy of the newspaper, these free reading boards are available at strategic locations on the road.

In case you are wondering about the gadget in the picture below, it is the iron getting ready for pressing clothes


There are two irons which are kept hot on a coal grill. When one loses its heat, it is kept on the grill and the one on standby is used, thus maintaining the continuity of work. Trust me, its better than the electric iron, and cost effective too.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like that idea of the iron on the coal- Ruby

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Very interesting information..Thanks for sharing. Happy New year!

Beth said...

The photos and commentary are very interesting.

Happy New Year!

TexWisGirl said...

i would not want to be a rickshaw puller in any amount of traffic! yikes!

Connie said...

Very interesting photos and storytelling, Joe. I really enjoyed this post. This is the first I've heard of sugar cane juice.

KParthasarathi said...

Thanks,They were all there three decades back and stii there.Kolkata doesn't discard so easily what others do hastily.I love to visit the city again

Indrani said...

Love these images, so ordinary yet so full of stories. I wish I was there again.

Rama Ananth said...

Such natural photos and such apt comments on them, really enjoyed them.

Ramya said...

Good one liked all the snaps :D

Bikram said...

oooh lovely pictures and that sugarcane juice yummy yummy , it used to 50paise a glass :)

Bikram's

Lawyer Loves Lunch said...

It's been years since I've been to South Asia and this collection of pictures took me back! For what it's worth, I know a lot of brides engage tailors to make small cloth bags to hold wedding favors :)

Ms Sparrow said...

What an interesting tour of your city.

Renu said...

when i was in Calcutta I could nevr sit in those rickshaws, I felt very scared.

wishing you a very happy and prosperous new year!

Anonymous said...

It made very interesting read. The busiest metro city in the country still holding on to the old world charm.

Devz said...

I've always been a fan of photo-stories and I'm rather partial to the ones on Leh and Kolkata. Two places on top of my travel list. :)

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