Unseen | May 21, 2008 | Comment on this video (6)

10,000 Dirty Shirts

RoyeSegal
Follow a day in the life of a dhobi, a laundryman responsible for collecting, washing, and preparing laundry in Mumbai, India.

Sounds dull, however, the "laundries", or "ghats" are a visually arresting sight. Row upon row of concrete wash pens, are each fitted with its own flogging stone. The clothes are soaked in sudsy water, thrashed on the flogging stones, then tossed into huge vats of boiling starch and hung out to dry. The laundry is then ironed and piled into neat bundles.

It is a sight that must be seen in order to really grasp this unique aspect of Mumbai.
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6 comments // 10,000 Dirty Shirts // Video

  • mr100percent
  • babyfifi
    • 0
      babyfifi  

    • While the life of these laundry workers is shockingly hard, long and never-ending, these men speak of their lives as manageable. The thought of having to do this kind of work is unimaginable. However, to hear the perspective of these workers and what they say of those to whom they serve is the most interesting aspect of this pod. It clearly reminds us that real happiness and peace does not come from money and can not be bought.

    • 3 years ago
  • salvatoreditaranto
  • msheth87
  • veggy_head
    • 0
      veggy_head  

    • if i lived in a third world country i don't think having laundered clothes would be high on my priority list...unless i lived in mumbai

    • 4 years ago
  • KatBrydon
    • 0
      KatBrydon  

    • This gives a whole new meaning to the Laurel and Hardy movie that was made of the French Foreign Legion... While that was humorous, this is a way of life which is not funny.

    • 4 years ago
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