Vijaya Senthilkumar sprinkles water on jasmine buds, arranges roses in a bucket and caters to her customers with a smile on her face. “I started this business when I was around nine years old with my mother. Then we used to walk around the streets with jasmine in a basket. My entire business transactions were not more than ₹10!” She has been a roadside flower-seller for 40 years now.
Soon, to the jasmine were added Jathi, Shenpakam, Mulla , Rose, and Gerbera. “I buy the flowers from Poo Market at 7.00 am. What I buy and how much depends on the market price. Usually I buy three kg of jasmine and 100 roses. I have six people who help me string the flowers.” She says how she has to take additional care in summers when flowers can easily wilt in the heat.“I cover the flowers with a cloth and sprinkle water on it.”
Talking of water, she has an interesting story. “A restaurant once denied me a glass of water when I was thirsty. From the very next day I started keeping a bottle of water with me. It costs me ₹30 a bottle. But anyone can drink from it. It is free”, she laughs. Now she is saving money to buy a house she says. “I will buy it in the next few years.”
Senthilkumar puts in long hours (7.00 am to 11.00 pm). She sells rose for ₹10-₹15 and Jasmine for ₹30-₹50 per muzham. “The price of jasmine garlands depend on how closely the flowers are strung together.”
Bhanu S, another vendor says she learnt to tie flowers by observing others around her. “I live in Poo Market and as a kid, most people around me were selling flowers. I started when I was 12.”
She sells Malli, Mulla, Jathi, Jamanthi, roses, Gerbera and Saami poo. “Jathi is my favourite. I love it for its sweet fragrance.” She buys flowers from Poo Market at 5.00 am in the morning and sells it from 6.00 am to 11.00 pm. “These flowers come from Madurai, Sathyamangalam, Pollachi, Erode, Hosur and Bangaluru”, she explains.
When a private organisation took over Viji.V’s land, she moved to Coimbatore from Ettimadai.“I used to grow chilli, corn and tomatoes in my farm. Life was good”, she sounds sad.
Initially she sold flowers with her relatives for five years before setting up her own stall. “I used to dream about being a doctor, but I did not even receive primary education. I live with my two sons. Both of them are in college. I educate them with the money I earn by selling flowers.”
There are around 20 labourers who tie flowers for her. “Earlier I used to do it myself. Now I do not even go to the market to buy flowers. Just a phone call ensures the flowers will reach my door-step early in the morning.”
She keeps her stall open from 6.30 am to 11.00 pm. “Flowers are season-dependent. There will not be flowers during Karthika, Margazhi, Tai and Masi . Even if there are any, the size will be small, and price very high.”
She customises garlands according to demand. “Brides come with their saris to show me the colour and I make garlands for them. It feels good to see the happiness on their face. That makes my day.”
Viji jokes how she is called ‘IPS’. She shows me a carton with IPS scribbled on it. “That is because I keep a stern demeanour. Otherwise people will take me for a ride,” she laughs and adds that it is tough to live as a single woman in this world.
Not everyone can afford to hire labour and S. Vimala, 44, says she does so only during the festive season. At other times she strings the flowers herself. She took up the profession when she was 10 years old.
“My father passed away when I was very young, and I had a big family to feed.” Vimala buys around 20 kg of flowers every day. “I have to sell it on the first day to retain its freshness. If there is any remaining, I give them as my offering to temples.”
Vimala looks sad when she talks about her struggles. “I am uneducated and I have no savings . Every time someone falls sick I have to borrow money. Now I have a huge debt. I work hard to clear it. In between trying to make ends meet, I forgot about getting married. Now it is too late for me.”
Vengittamma is 80 years old. “I loved to wear mallipoo on my hair, but had to stop when my husband passed away.” In order to survive she began selling flowers. “My relatives sold flowers. This was my only way of survival then. It is been 40 years now. Now I am old but I hate sitting idle at home.”
Vengittamma’s grand-daughter buys flowers for her every morning. “I used to go buy it myself till a few years ago. But now, It is difficult for me to walk.”
She comes to her stall at 5.00 pm and will be here 10.00 pm. “I am happy that I do not have to depend on anyone else for money.I have fulfilled my biggest dream. I bought a small house for my granddaughter near Maruthamalai,” she smiles.
