The faint whirr of sewing machines inside neighbourhood tailoring shops, workers bent over fabric with chalk in hand and others looping measuring tapes around customers. As online platforms promise swift deliveries and effortless returns, many of the city’s legacy tailoring families are watching their life’s work unravel, thread by thread. The shop, now run by Shakir Hasan, survives largely on ageing loyalists who have been customers for over four decades. Even customers who have relocated return to the shop when they are in Kolkata, especially during the winter season, Sarfraz explained. A karigar at Barkat Ali & Brothers in Chowringhee Amit DattaNovember and December continue to be busy months for the karigars.

Source: The Telegraph February 24, 2026 12:38 UTC