Kathari Churi Sane! Subhahan from Tirupathi Sharpening Knives in Kudla since 25 Years

Kathari Churi Sane! Subhahan from Tirupathi Sharpening Knives in Kudla since 25 Years

Kathari Churi Sane!( Scissors Knives Sharpening!) Subhahan from Tirupathi ‘Sharpening Knives’ in Kudla since 25 Years (1992-2017)

Mangaluru: A curious profession and using very well old-time machinery, this middle-aged man of 45 years has been sharpening knives and scissors for a living for the last 25 years in Mangaluru- and he likes his job so much that he doesn’t want to quit, even though he is not making enough money now, than he was making few years ago. He has been sharpening knives and scissors, for everyone, from the household women to the fruit vendors. He did it all, with his strange, old machine that he peddled with his foot. He sharpened knives between two wheels in motion based on principles of friction. He came to Mangaluru from Tirupathi, Chithoor Dist in Andhra Pradesh on 5 November 1992, and last Sunday he celebrated his 25th year of his Knife Sharpening profession in Mangaluru. He has been coming to our house for last 15-20 years, when my parents were alive- and he still gets business now from my brother Joe, who gives him around 5-10 knives to be sharpened every time he comes by every Sunday morning. Meet Subhahan M, aged 45, a father of six children, who has been supporting his wife and kids through this trade that he learned from his dad 35 years ago.

Last Sunday, 5 November (the day Shubhahan completed exactly 25 years of his trade in Mangaluru) I walked up to him, noticing the subtlety and the complete bliss with which he used his hands and feet to add sharpness to these common instruments. In a world where businesses are constantly looking for measurable value additions and yet the road never seems to end for them, this man seemed to me a new form of enterprise, one engaged in providing a service so minor and yet so majorly important even in today’s use-and-throw culture. As I stood there, he told me how he had been doing the same work for the past two-plus decades. “Sharpening cutting instruments? Really?” I asked, puzzled, “Don’t you get bored?” I am not sure if he understood what ‘bored’ meant. He was enjoying it far too much, with no signs of monotony or mundane-ness. I asked him again, “Don’t you get tired?” “Never, I love what I am doing”, he replied.

He told me his tales, his travels from a small place in AP, and later moving to Mangaluru for better prospects- since he was not making much money there, because of many knife sharpeners in Tirupathi. He says he is very much happy in Mangaluru, where every single person seemed to know him, from household women, every fruit and vegetable seller. On seeing my camera pointed to click his photo, he blushed with a cute smile, and said it was first time that someone had taken his picture, as a knife sharpener! Few years ago he charged Rs 50 for three knives, but now he charges Rs 50 for sharpening one knife, due to the rising cost of the sharpening stone. I loved the conviction. I love the simplicity. Above all, I loved the joy he experienced in his work. Every knife he sharpened seemed like his first one, the same excitement of two decades ago, the same delicacy and care for his ‘machine’ and yet, much more dexterity and artfulness.

In a world where people are shifting jobs, running after ‘perfect’ careers, creative fields, tons of money and other pleasures, this man finds everything in the simple task of giving the right edge to cutting instruments. How does he know he has got the right edge? He does it just by listening to the sound of the two blades as he performs a cutting gesture, just the way our elders warn us not to. They say my idle clicking of the scissors would disrupt all harmony. For this man, the ‘noise’ talks of his livelihood, of his single pursuit, of a companionship with a machine he’s carried from the valleys of Tirupathi to the crowded streets of other Indian populous cities. For this man, the clicking and cutting, speaks of life itself, a constant motivation to carry his machine on his shoulder every time he is on a move. At forty five, this strength is anything but physical. It is an undying motivation to go on doing something so ordinary with extraordinary and rare happiness. A land of incredible stories, India can boast of many brave men. Some are noticed, while others embrace glory every day on the streets, to be spoken of only in an unknown writer’s verses.

Every Sunday morning between 8 am-8.30 am, when our five house dogs start barking, it’s a warning that Shubhahan is at the house gate- not that the dogs hate him, but they don’t like the screeching noise he makes while sharpening knives. But one funny thing is that one of our country dog likes Shubhahan so much that he escorts him from the gate to the yard, and also follows him when he leaves (see pic). Narrating his life story further he said, ” Me and other three knife sharpeners are sharing a rented room in Attavar, Mangaluru. I work seven days a week, and make around Rs 500 per day. Earlier I used to make Rs 700-Rs 900, when I used to sharpen scissors of Beedi workers-now that there are a very few beedi (tying) workers, my earnings has come down a lot.”

“I learned this trade I have been sharpening knives, coconut scrapers and the aruvamanai (traditional iron cutting tool with or without a wooden base) for the past 35 years. My father used to be in this trade before, I decided to take it up after he died. Older women ask me to sharpen aruvamanais that were their wedding gift. The younger lot prefer knives. Others just throw out old knives and buy new ones, that’s the trend now! Hospitals, canteens, flats, houses-I have loyal customers everywhere. Every five months or so I visit my family in AP for a month. I have to feed my wife and four children (4 sons, 2 daughters) on my income, plus here in Mangaluru I have to share the apartment rent of Rs 5000 (between four of us), plus having my food at restaurant daily-thus making ends meet is very difficult with all these expenses, but I have managed it so far. I don’t take transportation, instead walk with my sharpening machine daily placed on my shoulder, even though it’s around 20 kgs” added Shubhahan.

This is how an ‘Aruvamanai’ looks like!

He’s a picture of concentration, as he holds one of the scissors I gave him to sharpen, over the sharpening stone, pedalling with his right leg. The cycle-wheel turns, the stone whirrs, and the scissors’ metal edge erupts in sparks. During which time our neighbor lady wanted her ‘Aruvamanai’ to be sharpened. After sharpening the aruvamanai, he gently polishes its edge with kaanankallu. “If you don’t do this, the edges will be frayed and cut your finger.” he said. “I have not gone to school and have been on the road with my father since the age of 15. You have to place an order for this pedal-powered machine from the ironsmith because it is not sold in shops. A knife-sharpening stone costs around Rs. 1500. I charge according to the type of work. An aruvamanai costs Rs. 70 to be sharpened; knife, Rs.50 and coconut scrapers for Rs.20.When I’m finished here, I will just haul the machine on to my shoulders and walk on to the next neighbourhood. It is a heavy load to carry, but then it is my livelihood. On hot days, I try and take a break under shady trees before I move further.” added Shubhahan.

It was nice having close encounters with a Knife Sharpener for the first time! I gave Shubhahan his Rs 100 for my two knives, and a bottle of chilled water, after which he then packs up and lifts his sharpener to his shoulder. “It would be nice to have a sharpening shop; but where is the money for that?” he asks. “All I have now is good health; that’s my only wealth.”. He moves towards the house gate, once again the dogs bark, except for the little one who always follows Shubhahan till the gate.

In conclusion, a knife is one of the most important tools in any home. From cutting purposes in the kitchen to dining to multiple household needs, one cannot do without knives. A good set of knives can be a little expensive but if you purchase cheap knives, you might find yourself buying new pieces often. It is very important to maintain the sharpness of knives. Knife sharpening helps to elongate the longevity and usage of knives. Dull knives can be extremely dangerous as they require you to push back and forth with more force, potentially causing you to cut yourself in the process.

Manual Knife Sharpeners are very popular in home kitchens. This is considered to be a clean method of honing a knife. It is best suited for knives with a plain blade. Knives with serrated edges and knives with heavily waved edges will produce uneven results. Such knives would be bread or frozen-food knives. Manual knife sharpeners are simple to use and usually have two hardened wheels that intersect and rotate when a knife is slid through, creating the angle for sharpening the blade’s edge. This type of sharpener is ideal for those who like the most control when sharpening. But for those who are lazy to do the sharpening, “Knife Sharpeners” like Shubhahan come handy. And if you can’t find one in your area, you can call Shubhahan at 9844425185.