Madurai Tailors

Camera: Canon 20D
Lens: EF 17-40 f/4L @ 17mm (27mm equiv)
Exposure: 1/15 sec at f/8, ISO 800



Camera: Canon 20D
Lens: EF 17-40 f/4L @ 17mm (27mm equiv)
Exposure: 1/13 sec at f/6.3, ISO 800



Camera: Canon 20D
Lens: EF 17-40 f/4L @ 19mm (30mm equiv)
Exposure: 1/13 sec at f/5.6, ISO 800



Camera: Canon 20D
Lens: EF 17-40 f/4L @ 17mm (27mm equiv)
Exposure: 1/25 sec at f/5.6, ISO 800
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I can't decide what photographs to post and what not to, but I think four in one day is pushing it a bit. I could just drag it out, but it would be 2007 before I finish showing off all my India shots!

Anyway, these shots show just a few of the taylors which are based in the massive Sri Meenakshi temple complex. It's a fun but tiring experience, and I think the Lonely Planet guide was correct when it mentioned the quality of the tailors varied wildly along with the prices. On our first day there (when these were shot) we had a quick look around and then picked some fabric and were measured up for our new clothes. I ordered a couple of shirts and my girlfriend bought some Salwar Kameez (about Rs. 220/- and Rs. 400/- respectively). We went back in the evening and picked up the finished articles, we left pretty pleased.

The next day we went back feeling pretty chuffed with our purchases the day before, and thought we'd have another look around... but we were ultimately sucked in by the cheaper offers of another tailor (notice the red and white striped t-shirt guy who was strangely hanging around the day before in the shots above...). What a waste of time. To cut a long story short, when we went to pick up our new clothes we ended up being so disappointed that we had to have a big argument with the fabric shop owner about the abysmal quality of the clothes. The money involved wasn't a problem by UK standards, but no-one likes being ripped off. So I took just one shirt and ended up paying about double what I had the day before for two shirts, and my girlfriend argued well enough to get all her money back.

My top tip - make sure the fabric shop owner has his own tailors working there right in front of him.