“I was in eight class when I came into this profession 30 years ago. My father had a dyeing shop in Rawalpindi’s Moti Bazaar. Being the eldest, I was destined to join my father in his work.

My father came to Rawalpindi after partition and started doing this work. We are four brothers and all of us work as dyers.

After my father died, I took over the shop. Soon my brothers joined me and started learning the trade. Now me and one of my brothers still work in the same shop while two of my brothers have opened their own shops.

Our work is seasonal. We are the busiest during the wedding seasons.

There was a time when our work was in great demand. Today, everything is available readymade. Due to this the number of customers has reduced compared to a few decades ago. Eid is also a time when we have good business.

I earn between Rs1,000 and Rs1,500 per day on an average. However, our income increases during weddings and festivals. I have five daughters and four of them are studying in government institutions.

We buy powdered colours and chemicals from markets in Rawalpindi. These colours and chemicals are brought from Karachi and sold to dyers. Our work is very tricky. At times, we can match colours of the dress and dupatta within minutes, but sometimes, it takes us hours before the right combination of colours is prepared.

Moti Bazaar is the main market where you can find everything - from the tiniest needle to a Lehnga. This is why a majority of the dyers have their shops here. Customers do not have to go elsewhere to get their dupattas dyed.
For me its all a matter of getting the right colour.”

Published in Dawn, May 11th, 2019