IRON MAN - 1

This element finds its importance in diverse fields. But let us first acknowledge Robert Downey Jr. for taking it on a world tour. Although I do not know anything beyond Tony Stark, it being the 26th element in the periodic table and it also being an integral part of my diet (Oh I just finished making dosas from a freshly seasoned Cast Iron Tawa), I want to take this opportunity to thank some Iron MEN and WOMEN in my life.

Any Guesses?

Wiping out the obvious answers, here I am, unfolding the fresh and crisp shirt straight out of the coal filled oven for all of you. No name board, no waiting area, no water dispensers for clients, a one of a kind memory. Presenting to you all, The Real Iron MEN and WOMEN.               

                       'The Isthriwallahs' 

Image Source : https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-indian-using-iron-filled-with-hot-charcoal-to-press-clothes-hand-coloured-57313996.html

I want to admit that I do not enjoy pressing clothes. It being an emergency, I would succumb to a bedsheet base and an Iron Box or even better, place the kurta under the bed overnight. This is my tolerance towards pressing clothes. This, coming from a performer having to iron costumes regularly might be an eyebrow raise.

My mother loves pressing clothes and does it diligently to date. We have never had an ironing board at home and never felt the need to. It was always bedspreads or some of mom's sarees that she anyway wanted to press later which became the base for our school uniforms to be pressed. I never went into the skeletal study of laundering until I attained puberty at 11. 

Every middle-class household had an emergency 'Isthriwallah' to go to. I would like to first introduce you all to Mr. Maruthi in this list of Iron Heroes and Heroines I want to bring to all of you. My essential need for pressing clothes was for my Dance Costumes which just could not find its presence on stage without being softened and stiffened with utmost care. I ran to Mr.Maruthi to press my frilly dance costume and forgot to mention some key pointers only to find my broad fan(one of the parts of the costume) ironed flat. I then sat and explained the way to do it because I really wanted to pass this on to someone who is better at it! I also thought I'll make life easier for my other dancer friends by introducing Mr.Maruthi to them. Thus began our friendship. He has always been there. Be it an hour before my train or my performance. Mutual FAN-Club!

 MR.MARUTHI AT WORK

Of course, our friendship didn't stick to only Dance Costumes and other garments, Amma and I invited him to my wedding and he was so happy. 

The world's really made up of such people, relationships and moments I reckon. He couldn't make it to the wedding and I went to meet him few weeks later when I had come to Bangalore. I had already moved to Chennai by then. I handed him my wedding thaamboolam. It really wasn't a bye. It never can be. I was 'pressed' for words.

P.S: His quaint and efficient shop is opposite Canara Bank, Yediyur Branch(Near Avrekalu Circle)