Weaver bids melodius adieu to family business

Time of India

2 days ago

Surat: Once a thriving power loom unit, the workplace of second-generation weaver Dharmesh Bhathela in Katargam has now fallen silent.
As Surat's famed man-made fabric (MMF) sector battles labour shortages, wafer-thin margins, and continuous technological upgrades, Bhathela has shut down his weaving unit and opted for a steady rental income instead.
But he didn't quit quietly. In a unique form of protest and expression, Bhathela composed and sang a soulful song capturing the daily trials of the weaving industry, offering a melodious voice to the struggles of many like him.
"Labour shortage and reducing margins are constant problems. I suffered repeated losses despite my best efforts," Bhathela told TOI. "So I closed the unit and poured my feelings into a song describing what we weavers are going through."
In his composition, he begins with a stark line: "Shanti thi jivvu hoi to khata bhade aapo – Lumda TFO ane Warping vechi nakho" (If you want to live in peace, rent out your unit and sell off your looms and warping machines).
The song rues falling demand, low returns, and erratic payments from traders: "Maal nathi leta, bhav nathi aapta – Badhu vechi fix income kari nakho" (They don't buy goods or offer good prices – better to sell everything and settle for fixed income).
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The wordings also refer to the mounting debt, piling inventory, struggles with bank loans, and the daily grind of running a unit.
Bhathela warns fellow weavers to exit before it's too late: "Sell before circumstances force your hand."
Now, by leasing his space to an embroidery unit, Bhathela earns Rs 1.5 lakh per month in rent. This is an assured income even if less than the Rs 3 lakh potential income from active weaving.
"Running the unit tied me down 24 hours a day. Often I suffered losses. Rent is stress-free," he said.
"The labour shortage is becoming serious day by day. Further, constant upgrades are unavoidable, and this has made the weaving industry a highly competitive business," said Ashok Jirawala, president, Federation Of Gujarat Weaver's Welfare Association (FOGWWA).
Ashish Gujarati, president of the Pandesara Weavers Co-operative Society, agreed. "Without modernisation, traditional looms lag behind in output and quality. But not everyone can afford frequent investments. Many are choosing to exit and earn fixed income instead."