Traditional Stripper

By Vijay Aravindh V

Everyone in the bright-lit Hall was busy in the last hour preparations; still, the serial lightings, floral garlands and Name-board flex were remaining. Thangaraj was nervous about this grand opening. It was indeed a huge breakthrough for his showroom than he could have ever imagined.It had been 30 years since he started this footwear company.He adjusted his kadhar shirt and looked around; the show glasses at the exhibit were clean and bright. They held the most beautiful expensive handcrafted footwear. He was proud of himself.

Thangaraj: “What time will be the board be ready??”

Gopi: “sir, your face and minister face portraits are over; for writings, I am just sketching the outlines; once Raju gives the writings, we could start straight away, maybe in a couple of hours, the flex could be printed and put up…it will be ready.”

Thangaraj: “Good, I will ask Raju to give you the note. Try Bold Red paint in the sandal background. It will look attractive. Hurry up.”

Thangaraj walked past the rangoli laying ladies and a few of his labourers arranging the reception table, fan and bronze lamps. He called out for Raju, the assistant manager.

Thangaraj: “Deiii…Raju…where are you?”

Raju came running to Thangaraj carrying a piece of paper

Raju: “Sir, I have finalized the writing for the board. Please give it a read. We could proceed straight away.”

Raju handed the piece of paper to Thangaraj, he gave it a quick read

Thangaraj: “Hmm…this is good…but writing this as sandals seems quite odd…replace it with something nice…like footwear or chappels…something like that…”

Raju: “sir…how about flip-flops…does it sound nice??”

Thangaraj: “No... the name flip-flops are very western choose something subtle…it must feel like it our own …let the word be also simple … select something traditional and straightforward…hurry it up…give it to Gopi for printing… its three now…you take care of the arrangements, I will take a nap, wake me at 5:30, the minister would be here at 6:15, we ought to be ready. I have already said the font colour to Gopi, take care.”

After a few hours…

Thangaraj stood at the Entrance. He was brimming with pride. He looked around, saw his assistant manager Raju holding Garland along with 57 of his employees, minister's supporters and a handful of reporters and policemen controlling the crowd. The sun was yet to rise, the serial lights were brilliantly lit with colourful patterns. He eyed Raju to come closer to him and whispered.

Thangaraj: “So what word do you choose?”

Raju: “you would be surprised how we didn’t think of this name before…its slippers.”

Thangaraj: “slippers…good word selection…how come we missed it earlier…anyways good work.”

The minister car arrived, he stepped out of his siren vehicle. He gave out a beaming smile and shook hands with Thangaraj. The supporters cheered, and Thangaraj then put the floral garland and a silk towel and welcomed the minister. They walked to the Entrance where the huge banner stood covered in satin cloth. The flex was indeed very huge, almost covering the whole double duplex showroom.

A saree clad girl lit the bronze lamp, and everyone cheered. Raju handed a plate having a tiny remote. Thangaraj handed out the remote to the minister, the posed for the photograph. The minister, Thangaraj and the crowd all looked above at the massive flex. The minister pressed the button, the colossal satin cloth fell, the flex stood there, the crowd went silent.

By Vijay Aravindh V