Like most men in his job, Suresh Sonawane (52) learnt by observation. During his stint as a supply-assistant in a typewriter company, he would carefully study the work of the typewriter mechanics. As he gained proficiency, Suresh started tending to independent assignments of repair work, especially catering to the once popular typing institutes in the financial hub of the country. Back then, through 1980s to 90s, he says he would even attend to 15 calls in a single day, fetching him a decent sum.
However, one fateful day in the early 2000s, the company that employed him shut down business. With the onslaught of computers, over the past decade several top typewriter companies were compelled to shut down as the demand for them plummeted.
These shutdowns naturally pushed the good old machine, once widely used, closer to extinction. It also, however, threatened to render irrelevant those mechanics associated with the business. In search of a living, Suresh-who did not even clear High school and lacking other skills- ten years ago shifted to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s court to apply his skills. However, very few typewriters remain today. It’s been three years since Godrej and Boyce - the world’s last company to manufacture typewriters - wrapped up its production plant in Mumbai.
The firm was left with its last couple of hundred machines in stock. The primary market for the machines today is courts and governmental offices
Naturally, the employment option for mechanics like Suresh has shrunk. If today he gets to repair even a handful of typewriters over a month, he considers himself lucky. “Who would want to come searching for me?” asks Suresh, who is one of the last few remaining full-time typewriter mechanics in Mumbai. For all his labour - which usually takes up to 30 minutes or more per machine - Suresh earns a paltry Rs 150, clearly not enough to sustain him even though he chose not to marry. He engages in odd jobs like executing notary work for advocates or running errands at the court. Suresh is also grateful to the petition writing centres in the court premises for “supporting” him.
“Though typewriters don’t need much repair, I call Suresh once a week for basic cleaning. This way he gets a chance to keep his trade alive and earn some bucks,” says Rajendra Yashwant Lad, a petition writer, who manages four typewriters. Since second-hand typewriters are exorbitantly priced and spare parts difficult to find, maintenance is vital, making Suresh’s work relevant. Last year there were talks of doing away with the last remaining typewriters at the court and replacing them with computers. Citing logistical reasons, however, the court administration decided to continue with the old machines. For nostalgic like Mr. Lad this came as a relief. His sentiment was borne out of the recent news from Germany, which was considering reverting to typewriter to check hi-tech espionage. The DailyMail reported that, in a reversal of fortunes, typewriter sales were booming in the country. But for Suresh the fate is sealed.
“It's only a matter of time before we stop using them at the court. By the start of next year, that's my guess.”
