They reign when it rains

Bavajan, probably the oldest umbrella repairer in the city, is in to this business for the last 40 years. “When compared to olden days, the business is very dull. Year after year, the income is decreasing,” he rues. Abdul Sathar, son of Bavajan who is also into the same business is also not happy with the current situation. “Earlier, we used to fetch Rs 500 to Rs 600 per day. But now a maximum of Rs 200 to Rs 300 is all we get, out of which Rs 100 goes for expense of the materials,” he said.

Sheikh who is repairing umbrellas for the last 25 years in Hampankatta market is still in a good hope that one day things will turn around in his favour. “Even the cobblers have started repairing umbrellas during rainy season. This has seriously affected the traditional umbrella repairers’ income,” he says with a sad tone.

Apart from the full time umbrella repairers, some are taking up the work only during rainy season. Haseeb, a painter by profession, is busy with umbrella repair works during rainy season. But the reduction in income and increase in the cost of umbrella parts is worrying him. “People are reluctant to give money. If we ask for Rs 20, they won’t pay, because nowadays umbrellas are available for anywhere between Rs 50 and Rs 60,” he said.

The only relief for the umbrella repairers is that shop owners do not charge them for using their space to sit and repair.