Cheap Of-FUR

Winter days were fast approaching when I was in Mysore in 1979. I had to travel early in the morning to Chamarajanagar and return late in the evening. Some of my colleagues suggested me that I buy a sleeveless sweater and beat the chills.

Those days, a sleeveless sweater in any shop cost little above Rs.120/-. I did check in two or three different stores but was two minded, whether to buy one or not. My salary of little over Rs. 500/- per month just kept me going and I had to travel to Mangalore once in three months to overcome home sickness. That cost quite a bit because I took some goodies home and while returning, purchased something for my friends and colleagues.

Then on a weekend, I was chatting with my Mangalorean friends near the post box in KR Circle. A Tibetan woman grinned and asked us if we want sweaters. I was attracted to the different designs, some resembling typical American Apache Indians' attire! I asked the woman the price. She said it ranged from Rs.45/- to Rs. 75/-. I thought, the prices were reasonable as well, and asked her to show the pieces.

Prabhat Kumar, the senior most among us, also my childhood friend, warned me that Tibetan sweaters were not good. He advised me to buy a branded one in any shop paying more. I again thought about my bank balance and nodded my head. Just to save myself from the curse of Prabhat, I asked the lady to move on and said I'm not interested. She was surprised and she went away.

The next day I was standing alone at KR Circle waiting for my friends. It was just 6:30pm but was already dark. Sundays my friends usually appeared late, as they either went for a movie matinee show or to have evening snacks and coffee at Madhu Nivas Roof Top, Deepa Drive-In or Dasprakash before reaching the usual hangout, the Post Box.

Then she was there, the same Tibetan woman. She was looking as charming as she was the previous evening and she again grinned and asked me if I want a sweater. I was bored and thought why not have a look into the heap she was carrying. I also developed sympathy for her, being a refugee who travelled all the way from Tibet to reach Kushalnagar and settle down, doing hard work and making sweaters. I thought, I will buy one for sure, no matter anyone likes that or not!

I asked her to show a sleeveless white one with dark blue ethnic design. She showed that and I knew there was bargain in Mysore for almost every deal. She started from Rs. 45/- and I started from Rs. 10/- and was rigid about it. After many minutes of bargaining, she parted with it for Rs. 10/- and I bought it, feeling jubilant. I also wore it, though it had some foul smell. I thought I'll surprise Prabhat and other friends with my buy and bluff that I purchased it in a showroom on Dhanavantari Road.

After 20 minutes or so, Prabhat Kumar, Krishna Kumar and Shashidhar Pandit appeared on their scooters and bikes. Pandit had an eye for fashion garments and he was fascinated to see my sweater. He came closer, touched the sweater and asked me, from where I purchased it and how much I paid for it.  I first boasted about the name of a ready made garment showroom on Dhanavantri Road and said I paid Rs. 100/-  but he didn't believe me. He said, the feel says this is a Tibetan sweater! Prabhat heard him and stared at me with a "I told you not to, but you didn't listen to me" look!

I then told them everything and said I am not worried about the quality, as It was a temporary measure till January when the winter will be over. I also added that I felt good by helping that Tibetan woman who was struggling to sell the sweaters. They laughed and said that's usually the case with new bakras who fall for Tibetan women, their smile, their sweet talk and charm! I started feeling a bit odd but controlled my agony.

When I reached my room after a night out at Kings Kourt and removed the sweater over my head, I heard couple of stitches giving way. I also felt some kind of itching sensation around my neck. When I examined my neck in the shaving mirror, I saw red rashes all around it! Then when I gazed at my Raymonds Woolen pant, the area that was covered with the sweater was full of white fur from the sweater. I could not remove it that easily and I felt helpless. I frantically tried to rub the pant with nylon washing brush without success. My roommate Mohan Reddy was laughing aloud watching my plight and I shouted at him to get lost. I said I shall leave the room the very next morning, if he ever tried to laugh over my miseries. He silently went out on the balcony and watched the stars in the sky.

I hung the sweater on the wooden frame of my bed, went to bath room and washed my arms and face with soap and water. Still felt the itch on my neck but I was helpless, without any anti-histamine tablets or cream in stock.

I called Reddy and said, " Look. I think I am allergic to the wool they've used in the sweater. That's why I got the itch. I remember using some woolen blanket in Dwarka Hotel Hyderabad few years ago, and then also it was itching like this."

Reddy said "No sir. It is some cheap fur they use to make these sweaters. You should feel lucky if they haven't made it with Dog's fur!"

I was shocked! For the first time in my life I felt grossly taken for a ride by that smiling fair skinned charming Tibetan woman. I cursed my luck and thought, there's no hope left for humanity in this world. If we get duped by people for whom we show sympathy and try to help them this is what we get in return! I also thought, Reddy might be right. That's the smell, dog smell that I got when I wore the sweater for the first time!

Next morning I wore the sweater and travelled in the train to Chamarajanagar. Most of the train mates were impressed by the design but they warned me that Tibetan sweaters are not strong. I need to get them stitched on the insides for better reinforcement. For a moment I also heard some grinding sound of wheels on railway track and thought the train is skidding while changing tracks at Nanjangud outer signal, but we were still in Kadakola. It was Vijay Kumar of Indian Bank and Badalu Srinivas my colleague squeaking like rats trying to laugh without showing any emotions. I just nodded my head and watched the marshland through the window with deep worry.

After I reached the branch, I removed the sweater and did my work. In the late afternoon, our Bank sweeper Madamma came and she watched the sweater hanging on the back of my chair. She asked me how much I paid and where I bought it. I told her about that. She asked me to get one for her the next time, as she wanted one badly to keep her warm in her thatched roof home.

Suddenly an idea struck my mind!

I whispered "Madamma.....!"

"Sir?"

"Do you really want a sweater like this one?"

"Yes sir."

"Definitely? God promise?"

"Ayyo sir...what are you saying? Don't you believe me? I want one sir!"

"Take this Madamma. It's all yours."

"But sir, don't you want it? How much should I pay for it?"

"Nothing Madamma. Just take it, but on one condition. Don't tell anyone about it. Never wear this when you come to Bank. I don't want anyone to know that I gave this to you for free."

"Sure sir. Thank you sir. Goddess Chamundeshwari bless you sir."

She was looking extremely delighted. I still remember her smile when she took the sweater and turned around twice before leaving, and looked at me with gratitude.